Peace of Mind at the Polls: New Jersey’s Efforts to Ensure Election Security
November 3, 2026
By William & Mary Law Student Contributor
The New Jersey Division of Elections has been on a gradual path towards making voting in the general election easier for its citizens. At its present state, New Jersey voters can cast their vote via mail-in ballot, in-person early voting, and in-person at a polling facility on election day. With flexible voting options comes an enhanced concern about election safety and public trust in the election process itself. New Jerseyans have legitimate reasons to be skeptical of the upcoming results of the midterm elections, especially in the wake of Governor Sherill’s announcement in July that a software error enabled 6,000 non-citizens to be added to the state’s registered voter list (roughly 400 of which casted votes between 2023 and 2026). With New Jersey’s error forming the backdrop of the midterm elections, New Jersey officials are proactively imposing a series of security measures to increase public trust and ensure that the results of the election are accurate. In doing so, Attorney General Jennifer Davenport, along with municipalities within the state, has formulated a plan to ensure the upcoming election is safe and trusted.
In an October 19th press release, Davenport reminded citizens that as “eligible New Jerseyans cast their ballots – whether by mail, through secure drop boxes, or in person – we are working to ensure they are protected from any illegal interference with their right to vote.” To promote this objective, the press release highlights that the Department of Law and Public Safety (“LPS”) will enforce the John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act of New Jersey (a set of voter protections which Governor Sherill signed into law earlier in 2026). This regulation, among other things, ensures that New Jerseyans are encouraged to vote “to the maximum extent,” and that members of protected classes are afforded an equal opportunity to cast their vote, including requiring pre-clearance in local municipalities that have a history of discriminatory behavior. Additionally, the press release alerts citizens to the security measures that will be in place on election day. While LPS makes efforts to ensure election safety, the department is collaborating with the New Jersey Cybersecurity Integration Cell (within the office of Homeland Security) to monitor potential cyber threats that could harm the accuracy of the vote. Lastly, the press release mentions that the state is prepared for potential federal intervention, which is perhaps a response to the State’s recent technology glitch.
While voters can rest easier knowing that the New Jersey Attorney General has crafted a plan to ensure that the midterms yield an accurate outcome, on October 23rd, Representative Josh Gottheimer (D), announced two bipartisan proposals to strengthen security at the polls. The first proposal, named the Election Worker and Polling Place Protection Act, would enhance the federal protections given to volunteer poll workers. The second proposal, named the Ballot Box Protection Act, would make vandalizing, damaging, or destroying ballot boxes a federal crime. Last year, polling facilities across New Jersey received a series of bomb threats, causing voters to cast their votes at other locations. Given that safety must remain a paramount priority, the intention with these proposals is to ensure the safety of New Jersey citizens and encourage the democratic process of voting.