Editor’s note: This article was first published by the New Jersey Attorney General’s office.
NEW JERSEY—Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal announced Nov. 4 that more than 125 Deputy Attorneys General (DAsG) will be assigned throughout the state on Election Day, Nov. 5, to help ensure a fair and smooth-running election, and to assist county election officials in resolving any emergent voting-related legal matters.
According to Attorney General Grewal, DAsG from the Division of Law will be stationed in each of the state’s 21 counties to handle any court applications, and to provide timely legal advice to County Superintendents of Election and Boards of Election.
The DAsG will be on duty from the time the polls open at 6 a.m. until they close at 8 p.m.
“The reason we assign DAsG throughout the state is to help ensure the integrity of the election process, to safeguard the voting rights of all persons who are eligible to vote, and to assist county election officials in resolving any voting-related legal issues that might arise,” said Attorney General Grewal. ”Voting is one of the bedrocks of our democracy, and we take seriously our role in helping to make sure that election processes in every county are fair, and that any voting-related legal matters are resolved promptly and even-handedly.”
Any person who believes his or her right to vote has been interfered with, or who wishes to report other voting-related problems or concerns, can call the state’s Voter Information and Assistance line toll-free at 1-877-NJVOTER.
Members of the public also can direct election-related questions to their County Superintendent of Elections and county Board of Elections.
A list of county-level election office contacts, as well as other useful elections-related information, can be found on the New Jersey Division of Elections Web site at https://www.state.nj.us/state/elections/index.shtml.
Attorney General Grewal explained that it is a criminal offense to solicit or electioneer voters within a “protective zone” as they enter or exit a polling location.
The “protective zone” extends 100 feet from the outside entrance of any polling site. Attempts to interfere with voters within this zone are usually handled by law enforcement officers from the appropriate agency.