Board of Elections Administrator Nicole Dorado told the Union County Board of County Commissioners the elections office is preparing for four elections in the coming cycle, down from seven in the prior year.

"They are not significantly higher, this year over last year. Most of them are lower towards the end of the year. Last year, we ended up having 7 elections. So right now, we're just preparing for 4," Dorado said during the county's agenda-setting meeting.

Dorado said the office is preparing for an upcoming special school election in Scotch Plains-Fanwood, an April school board election in Westfield, and the statewide primary and general gubernatorial elections. She told commissioners she would be happy to answer questions about any of the six resolutions the Board of Elections submitted for consideration at the regular meeting.

Why it matters: Changes in the number of local contests affect staffing, polling locations and costs for the county elections office, which must plan resources in advance. Dorado did not provide cost estimates, turnout projections or staffing numbers at the agenda-setting session.

Next steps: Dorado presented six resolutions from the Board of Elections for consideration at the regular meeting; commissioners did not request additional information at the agenda-setting session.