Early in-person voting for New Jersey’s primary election begins on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, and LPS will play a key role in protecting New Jerseyans’ right to vote, as well as in assisting voters, election officials, and law enforcement in resolving voting-related legal matters.

As has been the case for elections since 2022, the Voter Protection Initiative will again work with community stakeholders and partners to identify and address issues affecting voting access. The Voter Protection Initiative focuses on remedying any voting rights or civil rights violations that may arise during early voting and on Election Day, including under the New Jersey Civil Rights Act and the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination.

“The right to vote is the foundation of our democracy, and we are committed to protecting the right of eligible voters to cast their ballots and to ensuring a free, fair, and secure election,” said Attorney General Davenport. “We will not allow anyone to interfere with or disrupt our democratic process, and we will always stand up to ensure that all eligible voters can vote free from harassment and intimidation.”

The LPS’s Voting Rights Resources webpage provides New Jersey residents with answers to frequently asked questions regarding the right to vote. The webpage explains how voters can report any problems they encounter during early voting or on Election Day.

In addition to the Voter Protection Initiative, the Division of Law will make available a team of dedicated attorneys to advise county elections officials around the clock, as it has in previous elections. Their efforts facilitate free, fair, and secure elections and access to voting for all eligible individuals in accordance with New Jersey’s election laws.

In addition, the Department of Law and Public Safety’s Office of Public Integrity and Accountability monitors claims of voter intimidation, improper electioneering, election fraud, and other criminal violations, and will direct reports of election interference to local and federal law enforcement as appropriate. And the New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell will be monitoring for election security threats – both cyber and physical.

The Attorney General has also reissued Guidance on the Role of Law Enforcement in Election Activities to local law enforcement officials across the State. The Guidance ensures that law enforcement officers are fully informed about the role of law enforcement in elections and laws protecting voters from intimidation and coercion as they exercise their right to vote.

Electioneering or soliciting voters within a “protective zone” as they enter or exit a polling location is a criminal offense. Under a law enacted in 2025, county boards of elections are permitted to extend the “protective zone” from the previous 100 feet to up to 200 feet around polling sites. County boards of elections are required to provide “clear and conspicuous” notice of the size of the protective zone. While responsibility for preserving the peace and maintaining good order in polling places and voting locations lies principally with poll workers and local election officials, when it is necessary to remove someone who is violating the prohibition on electioneering or other election laws, these elections officials may call upon law enforcement officers for assistance, as explained in the Attorney General’s Guidance.

Outside of the Department of Law and Public Safety, the New Jersey Division of Elections webpage provides a list of county-level election office contacts, as well as other useful elections-related information. Members of the public can direct election-related questions to their County Superintendent of Elections and County Board of Elections.

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 also call the State’s Voter Information and Assistance line toll-free at 1-877-NJVOTER (1-877-658-6837).

Any member of the public who has been subject to discrimination or harassment in connection with voting may also report the issue to the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights through the NJ BIAS online portal, available at https://bias.njcivilrights.gov, or by calling 1-800-277-BIAS (1-800-277-2427). Depending on their urgency, complaints regarding possible discrimination or harassment filed with the Division on Civil Rights may be addressed during the election or after the election.