New Jersey Attorney General Bolsters Voter Protection Measures for 2023 General Election

Initiatives announced by AG Platkin aim to ensure a free and fair voting process, with a focus on civil rights and election law compliance.

Morristown, NJ — Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin unveiled a robust plan for safeguarding the 2023 general election in New Jersey, outlining several measures to protect voter rights and assist both officials and residents in navigating legal issues surrounding the electoral process.

The Who and What

Announced today by the Department of Law and Public Safety, these key measures continue the Voter Protection Initiative launched in October 2022. Early voting commenced on October 28, 2023, and the Department has pledged to play a pivotal role in ensuring the elections are conducted freely and fairly throughout the state.

The When and Where

As early voting kicked off this Saturday, the Office of the Attorney General, in collaboration with the Division on Civil Rights, will uphold its commitment to safeguarding voting during the general election. These departments will work in tandem to tackle any civil rights violations, under the auspices of the New Jersey Civil Rights Act and the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination, during the early voting period as well as on Election Day itself.

The Why and How

“We remain committed to ensuring that our elections are free and fair, and that every eligible voter has an opportunity to cast a ballot,” said Attorney General Platkin. The initiative aims to protect voters from harassment, discrimination, and intimidation, emphasizing that disruptions in the voting process will not be tolerated.

Additional Resources for Voters

The Department of Law and Public Safety has made available an extensive Voting Rights Resources webpage. It serves as a go-to guide for New Jersey residents, answering frequently asked questions about voting rights and providing a platform for voters to report any issues they encounter during the voting process.

Legal Support and Monitoring

The Division of Law will deploy a team of dedicated attorneys round-the-clock to advise county election officials. The Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (“OPIA”) will be on high alert to monitor claims of voter intimidation, improper electioneering, and election fraud. Any reports of election interference will be redirected to the appropriate local and federal law enforcement agencies.

Urgent and Non-Urgent Complaints

Members of the public who face discrimination or harassment connected to voting can report these issues via the NJ BIAS online portal or by calling 1-800-277-BIAS (1-800-277-2427). The Division on Civil Rights will address these complaints either during or after the election, depending on their urgency.

Know Your Rights

It is illegal to solicit or electioneer voters within a "protective zone" extending 100 feet from the entrance of any polling site. For any further questions or to report issues, residents can contact the State’s Voter Information and Assistance line toll-free at 1-877-NJVOTER (1-877-658-6837).

By reinforcing these measures, the State of New Jersey aims to uphold the democratic process, ensuring that the rights of its citizens are protected as they participate in the 2023 general election.