Hudson County, NJ- Hudson County Clerk E. Junior Maldonado was named President of the Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey (COANJ) making him the first Latino, the first Jersey City elected official and only the second Hudson County representative to hold the role in its 106-year history. Clerk Maldonado was sworn into the new position by the organization and took the oath as President at the Annual Conference held at the Seaview Hotel in Galloway, NJ on October 7, 2026. COANJ is the formal organization of New Jersey County Clerks, and Registers, Sheriffs and Surrogates, who are elected directly by the people of each of the 21 New Jersey counties.

"It is an absolute honor and privilege for me to be selected to lead as the President of an organization of offices so vital to our state and its 9.5 million residents. “Each constitutional office faces its own unique challenges serving New Jersey constituents every day. However, regardless of party or political affiliation, we share one common goal: to serve our constituents faithfully. A hard job is made easier when we can reach out across the aisle, working collectively to strengthen our services. Together, we are truly greater than the sum of our parts, and it is through this unity that our organization remains both relevant and lasting."

Maldonado went on to thank former COANJ President Sheriff James Gannon for his leadership and support while he served as Vice President.

Clerk Maldonado looks forward to continuing the traditions of COANJ along with newly elected Vice President - Salem County Clerk Dale Cross, Secretary – Atlantic County Sheriff Joseph O’Donoghue and Treasurer – Hudson County Register Jeffrey Dublin, the new Section Chiefs and the Executive Board; he will work to lead change in a way that will best serve local communities and the State of New Jersey. COANJ was organized in 1920, and its members work in cooperation to improve services rendered to their respective counties. COANJ members meet regularly on matters of importance relating to the management of their offices; to provide feedback for legislation in relation to the conduct of all the statutory requirements and duties relating to the offices of the Sheriffs, County Clerks, Surrogates and Registers of Deeds and Mortgages in the State of New Jersey and to encourage and maintain high standards of service.