By: Yuritza Arroyo
Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin announced several key measures the Department of Law and Public Safety will be taking as part of its Voter Protection Initiative during the 2023 primary election to help ensure a fair, free, and smooth-running election, to protect the right to vote and to assist voters, election officials, and law enforcement in resolving any emergent voting-related legal matters.
According to officials, during Election Day on Tuesday, June 6, and the early voting period that preceded it, various divisions of the Department of Law and Public Safety, including the Division on Civil Rights (DCR) and Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA), will have a role in ensuring free and fair elections in the State of New Jersey.
“Voting is a cornerstone of democracy. We are committed to ensuring fair elections, resolving voting-related legal matters promptly, and preserving the rights of all New Jerseyans,” said Attorney General Platkin.
“Our dedicated efforts will protect voters from intimidation, discrimination, and harassment, holding accountable those who seek to disrupt the process.”
The Department of Law and Public Safety has updated the webpage that provides New Jersey residents with voting-related resources and answers to frequently asked questions regarding the right to vote.
The webpage explains how voters can report any problems they encounter during early voting or on Election Day.
These efforts advance the Voter Protection Initiative, originally announced in October 2022, into the 2023 primary election.
Through it, the Office of the Attorney General and DCR will continue to identify and address any voting rights or civil rights violations, including under the New Jersey Civil Rights Act and the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination, that may arise during early voting and on Election Day.
In addition, OPIA will monitor claims of voter intimidation, electioneering, election fraud, and other criminal violations and will direct reports of election interference to local and federal law enforcement as needed. Also, the New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell (NJCCIC) will be monitoring for election security threats—both cyber and physical.
Last year, OPIA also issued the Attorney General’s Law Enforcement Guidance for Elections to local law enforcement officials across the State.
Attorney General Platkin also reminds the public that it is a criminal offense to solicit or electioneer voters within a “protective zone” as they enter or exit a polling location.
The “protective zone” extends 100 feet from the outside entrance of any polling site. Attempts to interfere with voters within this zone are usually handled by law enforcement officers from the appropriate agency.
In addition to the Voter Protection Initiative, the Division of Law, as it has in previous elections, will deploy a team of dedicated attorneys who will be available around the clock to address any inquiries from county elections officials. This proactive measure aims to facilitate swift, unhindered, and equitable access to voting for all eligible individuals in accordance with New Jersey’s election laws.
Any member of the public who has been subject to discrimination or harassment in connection with voting may report the issue to the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights through the NJ BIAS online portal or by calling 1-800-277-BIAS (1-800-277-2427).