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The office of the County Clerk, anciently known as "Keeper of the Records," is probably one of the first and oldest offices in the State.    Offices and methods in England were transplanted to this country at the time of its rounding. In 1677 it was agreed and ordained that there be kept a "Register at London, within the Nation of England," and also another "Register within the Province of West New Jersey," who kept exact entries and records of all public affairs, land grants and leases. From this beginning sprang the office of County Clerk.    After the organization of the State, official sanction was given to the office, and the name "County Clerk" was conferred upon the official in charge. The first reference to the office under this title appears in the law passed in June 7, 1779. The law, giving legal status to the office, was passed in 1806. The office was provided for in the Constitution of 1844 and again in the most recent Constitution of 1947, The County Clerk is therefore referred to as a "Constitutional Officer."    There is now a County Clerk elected in each of the twenty-one counties. Each County Clerk is elected for a term of five years. She must act in accordance with the statutes set up for her office by the State Legislature.    The duties of the County Clerk are numerous. Her special responsibilities are, but not limited to:    Swearing in and certifying notaries; Filing of Trade Name Certificates; Recording documents concerned with the purchase and sale of Real Estate; Filing of Military Discharges; Issuance of County Identifications Cards; Filing of Sub-division Maps; Wetlands Riparian Aerial Photos; Issuance of Veterans Peddlers Licenses; and Performance of Wedding Ceremonies by Sussex County Clerk.    The County Clerk plays a key role in the conduct of elections. All Petitions for candidates for elective county offices are filed with her office and drawing for ballot positions are conducted by the County Clerk. She is in charge of printing ballots. She canvasses the votes at primary and general elections and certifies them to the municipal clerks and the New Jersey Secretary of State. She also receives applications for and mails all absentee ballots. She prints registry lists and distributes same in accordance with the election laws. She processes applications for passports. She appoints the Deputy Clerk and supervises Special Deputies and all other employees in the County Clerk's Office.