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Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. issued an Executive Order that prohibits full-time, non-elected employees in the Essex County Clerk's Office Elections Unit, Essex County Board of Elections and Essex County Superintendent of Elections/Commissioner of Registration from participating in any political activity. DiVincenzo also called upon State lawmakers to enact legislation to prohibit election workers statewide from participating in political activity.

"The Clerk, Board of Elections and Superintendent/Commissioner each has a serious responsibility in our election process registering voters, counting ballots, organizing polling places or handling absentee ballots," DiVincenzo said. "Our right to vote is a sacred element of our democracy and we must take every precaution to ensure the integrity and public confidence in our election process is maintained. This Executive Order will establish the separation that is necessary between government responsibility and political activity," he added.

The Executive Order prohibits all full-time, non-elected employees of the Essex County Clerk's Office Elections Unit, Essex County Board of Elections and Essex County Superintendent of Elections/Commissioner of Registration from participating in political activity of any kind. The employees cannot contribute money to a political campaign, campaign for a candidate, post a sign on their lawn, attach a bumper sticker to their car, wear a pin endorsing a candidate or issue, or attend a political rally or event. In addition, the employees cannot hold or seek political office or hold an office with a political organization. The restrictions are modeled after similar policies prohibiting political activity by judges and prosecutors.

The order affects approximately 60 full-time, non-elected employees in the three offices. Exempted from the Executive Order are the County Clerk (which is an elected position), members of the Essex County Board of Elections (who are appointed by the Governor), part-time or seasonal employees who are hired as poll workers, ballot counters and other staff support during the election seasons.

Employees who violate the Executive Order are subject to appropriate action including, as authorized by applicable law or contract, removal, suspension, demotion or other disciplinary action.

The Essex County Clerk's Office, Essex County Board of Elections and Essex County Superintendent of Elections/Commissioner of Registration appear under the umbrella of Essex County government, but are not under the direct jurisdiction of the Essex County Executive's Office. An elected position, the County Clerk is a Constitutional Officer (along with the Sheriff, Register, Surrogate and Prosecutor). The Clerk of the Board of Elections and Superintendent of Elections/Commissioner of Registration are non-administrative positions who are appointed by the Governor. Employees of the three offices, however, are on the county payroll.

— ANDY LAGOMARSINO, NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM