TRENTON, NJ – Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin announced today a series of measures aimed at safeguarding the right to vote in the upcoming 2023 general election. The Department of Law and Public Safety will assist voters, election officials, and law enforcement in resolving voting-related legal matters.
Early voting commenced on October 28. The Department of Law and Public Safety will have a crucial role in ensuring a free and fair election process across New Jersey. The office will continue the Voter Protection Initiative, first launched in October 2022. This initiative focuses on identifying and addressing violations of voting or civil rights under the New Jersey Civil Rights Act and the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination during the early voting period and on Election Day.
Community stakeholders will collaborate with the Attorney General’s Voter Protection Initiative. This initiative will operate separately from the Division of Law attorneys who represent county election officials and the Secretary of State.
Attorney General Platkin stated that it is the duty of the office to preserve the rights of all New Jersey citizens and to protect voters from harassment, discrimination, and intimidation.
The Department of Law and Public Safety’s website offers a Voting Rights Resources webpage. This webpage provides answers to frequently asked questions about the right to vote and outlines how to report problems during early voting or on Election Day.
The Division of Law will continue to offer around-the-clock legal advice to county election officials. The aim is to facilitate a free, fair, and secure election process and provide unhindered, equitable access to voting in accordance with New Jersey’s election laws.
The Office of Public Integrity and Accountability will also monitor voter intimidation, election fraud, and other criminal violations. Reports of election interference will be directed to local and federal law enforcement as required. Furthermore, the New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell will monitor for both cyber and physical election security threats.
Platkin has issued law enforcement guidelines to local officials across the state. Interference within a “protective zone” of 100 feet from any polling site’s outside entrance is a criminal offense.
Members of the public with concerns about their voting rights can call the State’s Voter Information and Assistance line toll-free at 1-877-NJVOTER. Discrimination or harassment related to voting can be reported to the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights via an online portal or by calling 1-800-277-BIAS.