New Jersey attorney general announces voter protections, election security measures ahead of November election
NEW JERSEY — New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport announced safeguards and election security measures ahead of the Nov. 3 general election, outlining steps to protect voting rights, address election-related complaints and assist election officials across the state.
The New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety (LPS) will coordinate voter protection efforts, provide legal assistance to county election officials and monitor potential security threats during early voting and on Election Day. Davenport also reminded eligible voters that New Jersey offers three ways to cast a ballot: by mail, during in-person early voting or at a designated polling place on Election Day.
“Our democracy’s continued success depends on free, fair, and secure elections,” said Attorney General Davenport. “As eligible New Jerseyans cast their ballots – whether by mail, through secure drop boxes, or in person – we are working to ensure they are protected from any illegal interference with their right to vote.”
Three ways to vote in New Jersey
Voters who choose to vote by mail are encouraged to submit their ballots early to avoid potential postal delays. Completed mail-in ballots can also be placed in secure ballot drop boxes throughout the state or delivered in person to a county Board of Elections office by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
In-person early voting will take place from Saturday, Oct. 24, through Sunday, Nov. 1. Voters may cast their ballots at any designated early voting location within their home county, while those voting on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, must report to their assigned polling places.
Voters can find information about county election officials at https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/vote-county-election-officials.shtml, early voting locations at https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/vote-early-voting.shtml and Election Day polling places at https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/vote-polling-location.shtml.
Expanded protections against voter intimidation
The Department of Law and Public Safety will enforce provisions of the John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act, which Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed into law earlier this year. According to the Attorney General’s Office, the law strengthens existing protections against voter intimidation, discrimination and unnecessary barriers to casting a ballot while authorizing the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights (DCR) to investigate and enforce its provisions.
The division will have personnel available throughout early voting and Election Day to receive reports of voting-related concerns, including intimidation, deceptive practices, harassment and other unlawful interference with voting rights. Voters can report suspected violations by calling 1-833-NJDCR4U (1-833-653-2748) or emailing NJDCR4U@njcivilrights.gov.
Legal assistance and election security
The department’s Division of Law will provide attorneys to assist county election officials around the clock during early voting and on Election Day. The attorneys will offer legal guidance on election-related matters and help address issues that could interfere with eligible voters’ ability to cast ballots.
Meanwhile, the Division of Criminal Justice will monitor allegations of improper electioneering, election fraud and other potential criminal violations, referring reports of suspected criminal activity to law enforcement when appropriate. Davenport has also issued updated guidance to law enforcement agencies statewide outlining their responsibilities during elections and the limits of their authority in election-related activities.
The guidance is intended to ensure officers understand their role in maintaining election security without unlawfully interfering with the voting process. In addition, the New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell, part of the state Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, will monitor potential cybersecurity and physical security threats involving elections.
State preparing for possible federal interference
The Attorney General’s Office said it is also preparing for the possibility of federal interference with New Jersey’s elections. According to the department, officials will respond to any unlawful actions and issue updated guidance when necessary.
Any additional guidance will be posted at https://www.njoag.gov/resources/ag-guidelines. The announcement did not identify a specific federal action or threat prompting those preparations.
Resources available for New Jersey voters
Voters seeking information about election procedures, voting rights or potential problems at polling locations can contact their county superintendent of elections or county Board of Elections. The New Jersey Division of Elections also maintains an online voter information portal with resources on polling locations, ballot drop boxes, county election offices and other election-related matters at https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/vote.shtml.
Voters can also call the state’s toll-free Voter Information and Assistance line at 1-877-NJVOTER (1-877-658-6837) to ask election-related questions or report voting problems. The Department of Law and Public Safety also provides voting rights information and answers to frequently asked questions through its online resources.
State officials said the coordinated efforts are intended to protect eligible voters, support local election administrators and ensure the November general election is conducted fairly and securely.
