Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update 9/14/2020
What Bergen County Voters Need to Know About the November 3, 2020 General Election:
On August 14, 2020, Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 177, which requires the Office of the Bergen County Clerk to mail a vote by mail ballot for the November 3, 2020 General Election to every active registered voter within the County. Governor Murphy's Executive Order aims to ensure that voters preserve their constitutional right to vote while upholding the priority of public health during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Here is what you need to know about this unprecedented election:
Ballots will be mailed to voters by Monday October 5, 2020.
There are three ways you can cast your vote-by-mail ballot:
- Option 1:
- Complete and return your ballot by mail in the postage paid envelope provided. Ballots postmarked by November 3, 2020 may be received by the Board of Elections by November 10, 2020 at 8:00 p.m. and still will be counted. All ballot packages contain peel-and-seal, first-class postage-paid envelopes.
- Option 2:
- Drop your completed ballot at one of the secure Ballot Drop Boxes, located throughout Bergen County by 8:00 p.m. on November 3, 2020. There will be a drop box at the Oakland Borough Hall, 1 Municipal Plaza, Oakland, NJ 07436.
- Option 3:
- Bring your completed ballot to your polling location on November 3, 2020 by 8:00 p.m.
- Voters whose ballots are rejected for "a missing or discrepant signature" will be notified and given the opportunity to cure the signature defect "in accordance with the procedures established by the Secretary of State."
There will be a limited number of polling sites open on Election Day with voting machines exclusively for blind and disabled voters who need the ADA compliant features.
Voters who choose not to complete their vote-by-mail ballot and wish to vote in-person will be provided with a provisional (paper) ballot. (Per the Governor's order, ADA accessible voting machines will be available for disabled voters only).
Sample ballots will not be mailed out for this election. Instead, every registered voter will receive a postcard with their polling location. Sample ballots will be posted for viewing here, and available at the Clerk's office for any voter who requests one.
The deadline to register to vote for the November 3, 2020 General Election is October 13, 2020. For voter registration information, visit njelections.org. There is an option where you can "track your ballot". This permits voters to see if their ballot has been received by the Board of Elections.
- For questions about your vote-by-mail ballot, please contact the Bergen County Clerk's Elections Division at electionsclerk@co.bergen.nj.us or (201) 336-7020.
- For questions about your polling place, or locations of secure drop boxes, please contact the Bergen County Board of Elections at elections@co.bergen.nj.us or (201) 336-6230.
- For questions about voter registration, or to report a potential election violation, please contact the Office of the Bergen County Superintendent of Elections at soe@co.bergen.nj.us or (201) 336-6100.
Oakland Senior Center and Health Department Announce Upcoming Flu Clinic:
The Borough of Oakland Senior Center in conjunction with the Oakland Board of Health are pleased to announce a Flu Clinic has been scheduled for Thursday October 8, 2020 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Oakland Senior Center, 20 Lawlor Drive, Oakland, NJ 07436.
Flu shots are administered by Oakland Pharmacy. Oakland Residents 65 years and older are eligible, with Medicare Part B, no HMO.
Appointments must be made by September 17th by calling the Board of Health at (201) 337-8111, ext. 2018.
Governor Murphy Signs Legislation Extending MVC Deadlines and Streamlining Processes During Pandemic:
Governor Murphy signed legislation which authorizes the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to use stored driver's license or identification card photos for longer than eight years and limits certain appointment times at MVC locations to senior citizens and persons with certain medical conditions during COVID-19 pandemic. The Governor also signed A4520, which temporarily extends deadlines to register vehicles and obtain driver's licenses for new State residents during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
A4486 extends the validity of all driver’s license and identification card photographs from a maximum of eight years to a maximum of 12 years. The bill further allows residents 65 years of age or older to be eligible to use a stored photograph for each standard driver’s license or standard identification card renewal. The legislation also requires the chief administrator, during the COVID-19 public health emergency, to reserve one day per week or a certain time each day or each week, to be determined by the chief administrator, at certain commission agency locations to offer appointments exclusively to the following individuals to register a newly purchased, newly acquired, or transferred motor vehicle: (1) senior citizens, and (2) customers who, due to a medical condition diagnosed by a licensed medical doctor or osteopathic physician and evidenced by proof, in a form prescribed by the chief administrator, cannot wear masks or face coverings.
As of Tuesday, September 8th, there are currently 35 states and territories that meet the criteria stated above: Alabama; Alaska; Arkansas; California; Delaware; Florida; Georgia; Guam; Hawaii; Iowa; Idaho; Indiana; Illinois; Kansas; Kentucky; Louisiana; Maryland; Minnesota; Missouri; Mississippi; Montana; North Carolina; North Dakota; Nebraska; Nevada; Ohio; Oklahoma; South Carolina; South Dakota; Tennessee; Texas; Utah; Virginia; Wisconsin; and West Virginia.
Travelers and those residents who are returning from impacted states should self-quarantine at their home, hotel, or other temporary lodging. Individuals should leave the place of self-quarantine only to seek medical care/treatment or to obtain food and other essential items.
It is expected that individuals will follow the public health advisory to self-quarantine. The list of states will be updated on a rolling basis and is accessible here.
Upcoming Board, Committee, Commission Meetings:
Meeting Links and Passwords for upcoming Board, Committee, and Commission Meetings are posted here.
- Communications Commission 9/14 at 7:30 p.m.
- Shade Tree Commission 9/14 at 7:30 p.m.
- Flood Commission 9/14 at 7:30 p.m.
- Public Events Committee 9/14 at 7:30 p.m.
- Special Environmental Commission 9/15 at 7:30 p.m.
Coronavirus Positive Tests in Oakland:
Today the Borough of Oakland was notified by the Bergen County Health Department that there are a total of 252 individuals in Oakland who tested positive for the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Bergen County has a total of 21,947 positive Coronavirus Cases, and the State of NJ has 196,968 positive cases.
If anyone has questions about COVID-19, you can call the 24-hour New Jersey Hotline at (800) 222-1222. You can also visit the State of NJ Coronavirus Website Here.
Important Resources:
- The latest data on coronavirus infections in New Jersey are available on the New Jersey COVID-19 Dashboard. The dashboard has been updated to provide more information on scope of the virus and hospitalizations, including the number of patients hospitalized, discharged, in critical care, in intensive care, and on ventilators, along with data on statewide ventilator capacity, numbers of positive/negative tests, and more.
- New Jersey’s COVID-19 Information Hub includes valuable resources and information for families, workers, and employers who have questions or needs arising from the current crisis.
- Testing Sites: To locate a testing location, specifics on how to get a test, and the hours of operation, click here.
- Information for businesses impacted by COVID-19.