The U.S. Department of Justice announced Friday that it would monitor polling sites in Passaic County after the New Jersey GOP alleged the county’s Board of Elections rejected enhanced security procedures to protect ballots.
In a letter to a DOJ official, Jason Sena, an attorney for the state GOP, asked for monitors ahead of next month’s gubernatorial election between Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-Montclair) and Republican Jack Ciattarelli. Sena said Democrats on the Passaic County Board of Elections rejected Republicans’ requests to install cameras and logbooks to ensure security in vote-by-mail storage and counting rooms.
“Transparency at the polls translates into faith in the electoral process, and this Department of Justice is committed to upholding the highest standards of election integrity,” Attorney General Pamela Bondi said in the announcement. “We will commit the resources necessary to ensure the American people get the fair, free, and transparent elections they deserve.”
Sena also said Passaic County has rejected a proposal to begin processing mail-in ballots five days before Election Day, a step many of the state’s counties take to get ahead of counting delays.
The DOJ is tasked with ensuring election security through its Civil Rights Division.
The Passaic County Board of Elections did not immediately return requests for comment. John Currie, chair of the Passaic County Democrats, also serves as chair of the Passaic County Board of Elections.
“Election protection means making sure every eligible voter can participate freely and every lawful vote is counted,” said acting U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Alina Habba. “Our office is committed to working alongside our federal, state, and local partners to ensure transparency, security, and public confidence in the election process.”
Passaic County was once solidly blue, but President Donald Trump shocked the Jersey political world when he won the county in last year’s presidential election.
The DOJ also announced it would send monitors to five California counties: Kern, Riverside, Fresno, Orange, and Los Angeles. Californians will vote on a referendum to determine whether California will change its congressional map in the gerrymandering arms race between Democrats and Republicans.
