Mercer Times

Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin, and Laurie Doran, Director of the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness (NJOHSP), have outlined measures to ensure a secure 2024 General Election in New Jersey. The state is focusing on transparency and safety with initiatives like the Division of Elections Voter Information project and the Department of Law and Public Safety’s Voter Protection Initiative.

Lieutenant Governor Way stated her commitment to collaborating with law enforcement to "support our county election officials as they administer free and fair elections for all New Jersey voters." She emphasized that every voter should visit vote.nj.gov to prepare for the election.

Attorney General Platkin assured that "New Jersey is fully prepared to quickly and decisively identify and resolve any issues related to voting," highlighting the importance of safeguarding this fundamental democratic right.

Director Doran explained NJOHSP's ongoing collaboration with various partners through the Election Security Task Force, stating their focus on equipping officials to handle threats, whether physical or cyber.

The early voting period in New Jersey runs from October 26 to November 3, with Election Day on November 5. To aid voters, accurate information about voting logistics can be found at VOTE.NJ.GOV. This includes details on polling locations, voter registration status, and drop box locations. The website also features resources for identifying misinformation and deepfakes.

The Voter Protection Initiative will be reactivated by Attorney General Platkin in collaboration with the Division on Civil Rights. This initiative will address potential violations during early voting and on Election Day. It aims to ensure equitable access to voting without interference or intimidation.

The Department of Law will have attorneys available around-the-clock for county elections officials. Meanwhile, efforts are underway by multiple agencies to monitor election security threats. Additionally, guidance has been issued by Attorney General Platkin for local law enforcement concerning their role during elections.

Electioneering within a 100-foot protective zone around polling sites is prohibited under criminal law. Violations are typically managed by poll site officials but may involve law enforcement if necessary.

Residents can contact local election offices for questions or report issues via the State’s Voter Information line at 1-877-NJVOTER or report discrimination through NJ BIAS online portal or by calling 1-800-277-BIAS.

The public is urged by NJOHSP to report suspicious activities related to election threats through its Counter-Threat Watch Unit or local law enforcement.