County Clerk Candidate Wants Polling Change

Zbigniew Nowacki, 41 of Denville, was one of the candidates that emerged for the Morris County Clerk race in the June 4 Republican Primary Election. Nowacki—who has been an accountant in the county treasurer’s office for the past six years—builds his platform around school safety and shifting of polling places.

The already heated race for Morris County Clerk includes Chester resident Laurie Bogaard, U.S. Air Force Reserves Master Sgt. and former Parsippany Township Council member James Vigilante, Freeholder Ann Grossi, who's also from Parsippany and Jefferson Councilman Michael Sanchelli.

“I am concerned with the safety of our children and educators in Morris County,” he said. “A growing concern has always been security in our schools.  One way to keep our schools safe would be to transfer polling locations from the school buildings to other locations in the community.” 

He said that elections are currently held in part of a school building that takes up much needed space in already crowded schools. One option, which is used during general elections in November, would be to close school for the day and add an additional day to the school year in June.  This unfortunately disrupts the fluidity of learning in the fall, when students are most productive.  Unfortunately adding time to the school calendar in June when temperatures are rising and students have shut down in over heated classrooms does not seem like the best alternative, said Nowacki.

“In the interim, while working towards alternative polling locations I would recommend requiring poll workers to have background checks before they are hired,” he said. “Any Morris County registered voter may apply to be a Poll Worker.  The only requirements are that the applicant be able to read and write in English, complete an application and attend a training class to be certified to work at the polls.” 

Nowacki was born in Poland and, from October 1990 through April 1992, served as an infantryman in the Polish Army. He immigrated to the United States in November 1992, married in 1993, and worked various jobs while taking classes to learn English. He ultimately became a U.S. citizen on June 13, 1996.   He has resided in Denville for over 17 years. 

After becoming a citizen, Nowacki began taking collegiate-level classes. He earned an Associate of Science in Business Administration from County College of Morris in May 1999. By February of 2004, Nowacki earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Fairleigh Dickinson University – a degree he earned while also raising a family.

After graduation, Nowacki worked preparing individual tax returns as well as creating and presenting tax workshops.  In addition, he worked as an auditor for Samuel Klein and Company analyzing municipal, board of education, payroll, and tax data.   Nowacki’s current position in the Treasurer’s Office of the County of Morris gives him insight into the county’s functions and operations as well as experience handling the county’s day-to-day financial transactions and records.