Trenton, NJ – The New Jersey Republican Party is raising concerns over election security in Passaic County after Democratic members of the county’s Board of Elections reportedly voted to block surveillance and tracking protocols in ballot storage areas.
NJGOP Chairman Glenn Paulsen issued a statement Friday calling the decision “alarming,” citing the refusal to install security cameras or maintain sign-in and sign-out logs for individuals handling mail-in ballots.
Paulsen said the move undermines transparency, particularly because the board’s chairman also serves as the county Democratic chairman.
Key Points
- NJGOP criticized Passaic County Board of Elections for blocking ballot security measures.
- Party leaders allege the move raises questions about election integrity.
- NJGOP urges voters to participate in the November election to ensure accountability.
GOP alleges lack of transparency in Passaic County elections
In his statement, Paulsen said Passaic County has a history of election irregularities and delays in ballot counting and certification. He accused local election officials of operating “outside of public view” and said the county Republican Party is justified in demanding greater oversight.
“The Passaic County Republican Party is justified in their suspicion about what happens outside of public view,” Paulsen said, adding that the NJGOP “stands firmly behind their legal demands for election integrity and transparency.”
A string of election fraud and public corruption cases over the past five years has kept Passaic County under scrutiny, with some of New Jersey’s most high-profile local prosecutions tied to Paterson’s municipal elections and public trust scandals.
Investigations and court cases dating back to 2020 continue to unfold, revealing ongoing concerns about the integrity of elections and the misuse of public funds.
Officials say while several convictions have been secured, other cases remain unresolved, leaving questions about accountability in one of the state’s most politically active regions.
In May 2020, the Paterson City Council election erupted into controversy after state investigators uncovered widespread mail-in ballot irregularities. Prosecutors charged Council President Alex Mendez, Councilman Michael Jackson, and several associates with election fraud, unauthorized ballot possession, forgery, and tampering with public records.
Authorities said unsealed ballots were collected and altered, while others were stolen from mailboxes and replaced with fraudulent ones. Nearly 20 percent of all ballots cast—roughly 3,190 out of 16,747—were disqualified, prompting a judge to invalidate the election and order a new one in November 2020. Mendez later won the re-run but continued to face criminal charges.
Expanding probe and new indictments
The case widened in 2023 when the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office filed additional charges against Mendez, his wife, and campaign associates for alleged witness intimidation and conspiracy to manipulate the election outcome. In April 2025, prosecutors brought 10 new charges against Mendez, including fresh counts of fraud and forgery.
Despite years of legal motions and appeals, the matter remains in court, with state prosecutors sustaining multiple procedural setbacks.
Local corruption beyond elections
Outside the ballot box, Passaic County also saw a notable corruption case involving Clifton attorney Morton Chirnomas. In February 2023, Chirnomas was charged with wire fraud for obtaining over $300,000 in federal COVID-19 relief funds through falsified loan applications. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced in June 2025 to 21 months in prison and ordered to pay restitution.
NJGOP urges voter turnout as safeguard
Paulsen called on New Jersey voters to turn out in large numbers on Election Day, arguing that high participation is the best defense against potential election issues. “We are paying attention, we are vigilant, but the way we are going to win is to make it too big to rig,” Paulsen said.
The Passaic County Board of Elections has not yet issued a public response to the NJGOP’s allegations.
