On Tuesday, New Jersey officials acted promptly to secure polling sites after a wave of bomb threats, which were eventually deemed to be false alarms, disrupted election activities.
Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way, who oversees elections in the state, reported that the threats were emailed to seven counties, including Passaic. This county is particularly significant as it is a swing region where the Department of Justice had deployed election observers.
“Law enforcement has confirmed that there are no credible threats at this time,” Way assured. “We are committed to safeguarding voters and poll workers, collaborating closely with state, local, and federal agencies to ensure a seamless and secure election process.”
The threats emerged as voting commenced in the highly anticipated gubernatorial race, a year after similar threats disrupted the presidential election, predominantly in key battleground states. Last year, bomb threat hoaxes also targeted Springfield, Ohio, following unfounded rumors, amplified by Donald Trump, regarding Haitian immigrants there.
New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin disclosed that the threats affected polling places in Bergen, Essex, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, and Passaic counties. Some polling sites had already reopened, while others redirected voters to alternative locations to cast their votes.
“Law enforcement officers have responded to each affected site, working quickly to secure the locations and ensure voter safety,” Platkin stated.
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.
