N.J. Stat. § 40:45-16
The district boards of registry and election shall, immediately upon the closing of the polls, count the ballots and ascertain the number of votes cast in the election district for each of the candidates in the manner provided by law for the general election, and return the numbers to the municipal clerk immediately upon the completion of the count, upon proper blanks to be furnished by the clerk. In counties having a superintendent of elections one of the returns shall be made available immediately to the superintendent of elections. The superintendent may arrange to accept the statement of returns in each municipality within the county at the office of the clerk of the municipality or some other convenient place. On the day following the municipal election, the municipal clerk shall canvass all returns received from the election districts and the absentee ballots, and immediately make and file in his office the result thereof. The canvass by the municipal clerk shall be publicly made.
N.J.S. § 40:45-16