Election Day in New Jersey was thrown into chaos Tuesday morning as bomb threats forced multiple polling locations to close or relocate across the state. Authorities say the threats were not credible, but the disruption was enough to trigger evacuations and heavy police activity.
A bomb threat was reported at Somerville Elementary School in Ridgewood, part of a wave of emailed threats targeting polling sites in Bergen, Essex, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, and Passaic counties, according to NJ.com
“Early this morning, law enforcement responded to threats that were received by email involving certain polling places in Bergen, Essex, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, and Passaic counties,” the state Office of the Attorney General said.
“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. Some of these polling locations have already re-opened to the public. At others, voters will be directed to a nearby polling location to cast their ballot.”
In Monmouth County, voters were rerouted to the Belmar courtroom at 601 Main Street. In Middlesex County, Avenel Middle School in Woodbridge was closed due to a police investigation, with voters sent to Woodbine Avenue Elementary School. Livingston Park School in North Brunswick was also evacuated, with voters redirected to Linwood School.
Newark police said multiple phishing emails reporting bomb threats were under investigation. A threat on Gotthardt Street was found to be unfounded. No Newark polling locations were closed as of 9:30 a.m.
In Paterson, video showed a heavy police presence outside School 10. “We are taking the threats very seriously and we immediately evacuated the polling sites,” Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh said. “Thanks to the Paterson police department’s patrol operation working in concert with our state and county partners, all polling sites are safe and open for voters.”
Mercer County saw threats at Hedgepeth-Williams Elementary School in Trenton and Ewing High School. Police found nothing suspicious. “The false threats made against polling locations in Mercer and other counties were a shameful and cowardly attempt to disrupt the exercise of free and fair elections,” Mercer County Executive Dan Benson said.
Bergen County authorities confirmed all threats there were not credible. “The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office is monitoring an Election Day bomb threat pattern and assisting various partner agencies at the local, county, state, and federal levels,” Deputy Chief of Detectives Jeff Angermeyer said. “Public safety assets from across Bergen County — and throughout the region — have coordinated since early this morning. No suspicious items were discovered, and no ongoing safety concern has been identified. Law enforcement across Bergen County will remain engaged for the rest of Election Day.”
Despite the chaos, state officials stressed that voting is safe. Lt. Gov. Tahesha Way, New Jersey’s chief election official, said:
“We are aware of threats made to several polling locations in New Jersey. Law enforcement has determined that there are no credible threats at this time. We are doing everything in our power to protect voters and poll workers and coordinate closely with state, local and federal partners to ensure a smooth and safe election.”
