Ahead of the election, Gottheimer announces two new bills to protect poll workers

NEW JERSEY — U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) Monday announced two new pieces of legislation to protect poll workers from increased threats of violence, harassment, and intimidation.

This work expands on Gottheimer’s “Election Integrity Strategy” which includes his bipartisan “Unity Commitment” which commits Members to respecting the results of the 2024 presidential election, attending the inauguration, and serving as a voice for calm, regardless of who wins.

Poll Workers Continue to face threats of harassment, intimidation, and violence:

• According to a recent study by the Brennan Center in May, 38% of all local election officials report experiencing threats, harassment, or abuse.
• More than a quarter are concerned about the threats and harassment impacting their family and loved ones.
• While there were more than 100 threats of death or violence made to U.S. election workers and officials during the 2020 election, there have only been thirteen federal prosecutions.
• More than one-third of local election officials know at least one person who resigned at least in part because of safety concerns. That’s up from 22% in 2023.
• Nearly half of all local election officials are concerned about recruiting enough poll workers for the November election.

Gottheimer’s new action to protect poll workers:

• First, Gottheimer is introducing the Election Worker and Polling Place Protection Act in the House. This legislation is being led by Senator Ossoff in the United States Senate and will help expand protections for election workers and polling locations against threats of violence and harassment.
• Among other protections, the legislation clearly states that harassing, intimidating, or threatening an election official, in a general or primary election, is a crime punishable by up to 6 months in jail or a $2,500 fine.
• Second, Gottheimer is introducing the Protect Our Local Workers Act — or POL Workers Act — which ensures Help America Vote Act or HAVA grants can be utilized for physical security for election workers and polling places by codifying them into law.
• Third, since this is an all-hands-on-deck issue, Gottheimer announced support for Mayor and Senator Brian Stack’s bill in the New Jersey Legislature, which makes it a crime to intimidate, threaten, or coerce any election official or election worker in the discharge of their duties.

This legislation is also sponsored by Senator Polistina and Assemblymembers Swift and DeAngelo.

“I refuse to stand by while extremists try to undermine the backbone of our democracy — our election workers — into silence. We cannot allow those who spread fear and misinformation to threaten the very heart of our democracy,” Gottheimer said. “With the legislation I’m announcing today, we’re taking a stand to protect those who protect our democracy so that every voter can cast their ballot without fear and every election worker can serve without threats. Because the right to vote is sacred — and it is our duty to defend it.”

Gottheimer was joined by Fort Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich, Councilman Harvey Sohmer, Bergen County Commissioner Chairwoman Germaine Ortiz, Bergen County Commissioner Tom Sullivan, Bergen County Commissioner Mary Amaroso, Bergen County Clerk Hogan, and Bergen County NAACP Vice President Courtney Suffrin.

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