By: Richard L. Smith
With early in-person voting beginning Saturday, October 25, New Jersey officials are rolling out a series of measures designed to protect voters and ensure smooth operations during the 2025 general election.
According to information released by the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, the Department of Law and Public Safety (LPS) will coordinate efforts across multiple divisions to address voting-related concerns, ranging from civil rights protections to cybersecurity monitoring.
Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin said the steps are part of the state’s ongoing Voter Protection Initiative, launched in 2022, which works to identify and resolve barriers to voting access.
“The success of our democracy depends on elections that remain free and fair,” Platkin said. “We are prepared to ensure that all eligible New Jerseyans can cast their ballots without harassment, discrimination, or intimidation.”
Among the measures:
24/7 legal support from the Division of Law to assist county election officials during early voting and on Election Day.
Oversight by the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability, which will monitor voter intimidation, electioneering violations, fraud, and other potential criminal conduct.
Cybersecurity protection from the New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell, tasked with tracking cyber and physical election threats.
Expanded voter protection zones: A new 2025 law allows county boards of elections to extend the no-electioneering zone around polling places from 100 to 200 feet, with clear public notice required.
The Division on Civil Rights will also maintain hotlines throughout the voting period to respond to reports of discrimination or harassment at polling places.
Voters can call 1-833-NJDCR4U to report incidents without filing a formal complaint.
Platkin also issued updated guidance to law enforcement and prosecutors statewide, clarifying their role in preserving order at polling locations while respecting laws designed to protect voters from intimidation.