Amy Margolin, Mitchell T. Horn and Harry Chalfin, members of Modernize Bergen County, speak to reporters in Hackensack, Sept. 13, 2013.

(Myles Ma/NJ.com)

HACKENSACK — The leaders of an Anti-Blue Law citizens' group handed 2,648 signed petitions on Friday to the Bergen County Clerk — though the county clerk's office says it's far from what they'll need to effect change.

The petitions, collected by Modernize Bergen County, call for a referendum on county laws that prohibit businesses from selling electronics, clothing, furniture and other goods on Sundays. Once a common practice in New Jersey, the Sunday shopping ban, commonly called Blue Laws, is now only enforced in Bergen County.

On Friday, the group had an appointment to drop off the petitions. They delivered them to the clerk's office, which time stamped them and gave the group copies.

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But there is some dispute over whether 2,648 signatures is enough to put a repeal of the Blue Laws on the November ballot. Modernize Bergen County believes 2,500 is the minimum, while Bergen County Clerk John Hogan said the minimum is 10 percent of the number of registered voters from the last general election—about 55,000 signatures.

Either way, Modernize Bergen County will press on, Mitchell T. Horn, one of the leaders of the group, said.

"If they tell us we need 55,000 signatures, we're going to go out and get 55,000 signatures," he said.

Modernize Bergen County collected the 2,648 signatures during a campaign that lasted almost a year. The group believes the Blue Laws are stifling the local economy and job market.

"These laws totally negate the principles of liberty this country was founded on," Amy Margolin, another of the group's leaders, said.

The proposed ballot question will ask voters whether shopping should be allowed on Sundays. Modernize Bergen County hopes to place the question on the upcoming November ballot, but that depends on if Hogan's office allows it.

Horn hopes to hear a firm answer on the number of signatures soon.

Hogan, speaking to NJ.com Thursday, said he was certain 55,000 was the correct number.

"The number's always been the same," he said. "It's set according to law. I'm confident my office is on firm legal ground."