Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino announced today that approximately 350 Deputy Attorneys General (DAsG) will be assigned throughout the state on Election Day, November 8, to help ensure a fair and smooth-running election, and to assist county election officials in resolving voting-related legal issues.
According to Porrino, 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 on emergent, voting-related matters. The DAsG will be on duty from the time the polls open until they close.
“Our purpose in assigning DAsG throughout the state is to ensure the integrity of our election processes by protecting peoples’ right to vote, and by promptly -- and fairly -- resolving any voting-related legal issues that may arise,” said the Attorney General.
Porrino explained 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.
According to Porrino, 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, should contact the state’s hotline 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 Division of Elections Web site at www.NJElections.org .