Longtime Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi Dies at 78

Joanne Rajoppi, who served as Union County Clerk for more than 30 years, died Thursday at age 78. The Union County Board of County Commissioners called her "a devoted public servant who remained committed to her work and to the residents of Union County throughout her life."

Rajoppi built a career in public service that spanned decades, beginning as Union County Register of Deeds and Mortgages before becoming clerk. Throughout her tenure, she earned national recognition for her work on elections, records access, and government innovation.

Union County Life is reporting on the passing of this significant county official. Rajoppi received the National Association of Counties Award six times for innovation in government and computerization. She taught public administration at Rutgers University for nearly 20 years, held leadership positions in state, national, and international professional organizations, and was cited by the National Passport Processing Center for outstanding efforts in processing passport applications.

County Commissioner Chairman Joseph C. Bodek noted he had known Rajoppi for more than 45 years, dating back to her 1970s campaign for mayor of Springfield. "Throughout all those years, Joanne was a constant presence in Union County government. She cared deeply about her work and the residents who relied on her office. She was smart, strong and determined, and she never stopped working to improve the services her office provided. It is difficult to imagine our county without her," he said.

Rajoppi became known as a fearless advocate for election integrity. A major accomplishment she was proud of involved her whistleblowing campaign against a voting machine company Union County and most of New Jersey used. According to county officials, Rajoppi discovered serious discrepancies in results from the 2008 Presidential Primary Election and June Primary. She immediately alerted other county clerks, the New Jersey Department of State, and the voting machine company. She called for an independent analysis by nationally recognized computer experts at Princeton University, which was eventually ordered by the court.

County officials said Rajoppi "brought tremendous knowledge, energy and determination to the County Clerk's Office every day. She was always looking for ways to make its services more accessible and convenient, whether by expanding office hours, improving online access to public records, providing residents with clear election information or creating new resources for veterans, notaries and business owners."

Union County Manager Ed Oatman said: "Joanne was not only an accomplished constitutional officer, but also an important part of our county family. She remained deeply involved in the work of her office and brought decades of experience and an extraordinary sense of responsibility to her role. Her loss will be felt immediately throughout county government."

Union County Commissioner Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded noted Rajoppi's significance as a woman in public service. "She stepped forward at a time when women were not nearly as well represented in elected office, and she showed that women belonged not only at the table, but in positions of leadership. Through her strength, longevity and example, she helped open doors for more women to run, serve and lead."

For more information about Union County government and civic news, stay informed on Union County Life.

FAQ

Q: How long did Joanne Rajoppi serve as Union County Clerk?
A: Rajoppi served as Union County Clerk for more than 30 years. Before that, she served as Union County Register of Deeds and Mortgages. She died at age 78.

Q: What was Rajoppi's most significant accomplishment?
A: Rajoppi is credited with a whistleblowing campaign against a voting machine company used by Union County and most of New Jersey. In 2008, she discovered serious discrepancies in the Presidential Primary Election and June Primary results, alerted other officials and the state, and called for an independent analysis by Princeton University computer experts. The court eventually ordered the analysis.

Q: What awards did Rajoppi receive?
A: Rajoppi was a six-time recipient of the National Association of Counties Award for innovation in government and computerization. Her office was also cited by the National Passport Processing Center for outstanding passport application processing. She taught public administration at Rutgers University for nearly 20 years.

Q: What did Rajoppi do to improve access to county services?
A: Rajoppi expanded office hours, improved online access to public records, provided residents with clear election information, and created new resources for veterans, notaries, and business owners.

Q: What is Rajoppi's legacy regarding women in government?
A: County Commissioner Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded noted that Rajoppi stepped forward as a woman in elected office at a time when women were underrepresented. Through her strength, longevity, and example, she helped open doors for more women to run, serve, and lead in government.

Q: What did county leaders say about Rajoppi?
A: County Manager Ed Oatman called her "an accomplished constitutional officer" and "an important part of our county family." Commissioner Chairman Joseph C. Bodek said she was "smart, strong and determined" and that "it is difficult to imagine our county without her."