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Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office announces “VIP – Voter Integrity Program,”

Middlesex County

Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew C. Carey together with Middlesex County Freeholder Director Ronald G Rios, announced today that the Prosecutor’s Office in collaboration with the Middlesex County Board of Elections, as well as the 28 police departments throughout the county will be participating in an anti-election fraud campaign entitled “VIP – Voter Integrity Program.”

​The campaign was initiated by Middlesex County officials in an effort to protect the election process from illegal interference. The primary goal of VIP is to discourage fraud, as well as targeting for prosecution those who illegally interfere with the voting process.

“The goal of this anti-fraud campaign is to ensure that Middlesex County voters have confidence in the election process, and to see that every valid vote counts.” said Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew C. Carey. He further stated that, “While the mail-in ballot process is an improvement to our election system, there is new potential for fraud which we will aggressively investigate and prosecute.”

Middlesex County Freeholder Director Ronald G. Rios supports the program’s efforts to increase public awareness and encourage residents to take an active role in helping protect the election process. Director Rios stated, “The VIP – Voter Integrity Program will ensure that we can all trust in the security of our voting process.”

These County officials recognize that working together with our community has often led to preventing and solving all types of crimes. Likewise, the public can also provide valuable information regarding election fraud during election time. Remaining vigilant to unscrupulous fraudsters will help keep our community safe.

Voters should be aware that when completing a vote-by-mail application, any person aiding them must complete the “Assistor” section, and voters must designate any person serving as an authorized messenger by completing the “Authorized Messenger” section of the application. A Messenger shall be a family member or a registered voter of this County. No Authorized Messenger can be a Candidate in the election for which the voter is requesting a Mail-In Ballot or serve as messenger for more than three qualified voters per election.

Those who opt for a vote-by- mail ballot should be very wary of anyone who is not their properly authorized assistor or messenger and offers to fill in their ballot for them.

Anyone who suspects voter fraud at the polls, with their vote-by-mail ballot, or has related information regarding a possible crime, is encouraged to contact their local police department or Middlesex County Detective Stephanie Redline at (732) 745-3115.

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