Threats Target New Jersey Polling Locations Amid Election Season Concerns

On Tuesday, New Jersey’s law enforcement and election officials took immediate action to secure polling stations after receiving a series of bomb threats, which were later confirmed to be false alarms.

State Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way, who oversees New Jersey’s elections, reported that threats were emailed to seven counties, including Passaic. This county is particularly significant, as it had the presence of Department of Justice election monitors.

“Currently, there are no credible threats,” Way assured. “Our priority is to safeguard voters and poll workers by working closely with state, local, and federal partners to ensure the election proceeds smoothly and safely.”

The threats surfaced as voters headed to the polls on the final day of the state’s highly anticipated gubernatorial election. This incident echoes last year’s presidential election disruptions, where bomb threats were notably prevalent in battleground areas. Additionally, similar hoaxes emerged in Springfield, Ohio, last year, partly fueled by false narratives from Donald Trump during his campaign.

According to New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin, the threats targeted polling locations in Bergen, Essex, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, and Passaic counties. While some polling sites were quickly reopened, voters at affected locations were redirected to nearby polling stations to cast their votes.

“Law enforcement has been dispatched to each impacted polling site,” Platkin stated. “Their prompt response has been crucial in securing these locations and ensuring the safety of all voters.”

The FBI’s Newark office said it was aware of the reports and was assisting the state and local agencies.

Passaic County received three threats and redirected some affected voters to other locations early Tuesday, county spokesperson Lindsay Reed said in an email. One location, a school building, was cleared and voting had resumed.

Passaic is among six counties in two states where the DOJ announced last month it would send federal observers. The other five are in California, which is holding a special election asking voters to allow a redraw of the state’s congressional map as a way to counter Republican redistricting urged by Trump.

The DOJ was responding to requests from the Republican parties in each state, both of which are under Democratic control. The department said its goal in deploying the monitors was “to ensure transparency, ballot security, and compliance with federal law.”

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Associated Press writer Kathy McCormack in Concord, New Hampshire, contributed to this report.