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Attorney General Matthew Platkin said threats were sent to election offices and polling locations in Bergen, Essex, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, and Passaic counties. Several voting sites were forced to close temporarily while bomb squads searched the buildings. Others remained open, rerouting voters to alternate polling locations nearby.
“Law enforcement officers have responded at each affected polling place, and they have worked swiftly to secure these polling locations and ensure the safety of every voter,” Platkin said.
The FBI’s Newark field office confirmed that it was assisting local and state police in investigating the source of the emails. Federal authorities have not ruled out the possibility that the threats were part of a coordinated effort to intimidate voters or interfere with the election process.
Passaic County, a Democrat-heavy region known for its political influence, was hit hardest, according to county spokesperson Lindsay Reed. “Three threats were received,” Reed said, noting that one school polling site was cleared and reopened after a brief investigation.
Coincidentally — or perhaps not — Passaic is one of six counties nationwide being monitored by the U.S. Department of Justice this Election Day. Federal observers were dispatched not only to New Jersey but also to several California counties where voters are deciding on a controversial redistricting measure that could shift congressional power back toward Republicans.
The DOJ claimed its presence was routine and intended “to ensure transparency, ballot security, and compliance with federal law.” However, many conservatives have expressed skepticism over the agency’s involvement, accusing the Biden administration of selectively intervening in Democrat-run states while ignoring irregularities elsewhere.
Some GOP leaders suggested the timing of the threats was suspicious — coming just as polls showed a tightening governor’s race. Others pointed out that similar “coordinated hoaxes” have previously targeted regions under federal monitoring, raising new questions about whether these incidents are designed to create confusion and suppress turnout.
While authorities insist there is no ongoing danger, the situation has once again exposed how vulnerable America’s elections have become. Even false alarms can shake voter confidence and disrupt the democratic process — something many critics say benefits those who thrive on chaos and fear.
As the investigation continues, election officials say they’re determined to keep polling sites open and accessible. But the message to voters was clear: stay vigilant, stay informed, and don’t let intimidation tactics silence your voice at the ballot box.
In a year where trust in elections is already hanging by a thread, Tuesday’s bomb threats are another alarming reminder of just how high the stakes have become.
