Multiple polling places were forced to temporarily shut down Tuesday morning in Northern New Jersey after precincts received bomb threats, according to multiple local and national media outlets.
Polling sites were closed in at least seven counties, including heavily Republican areas, officials said. The threats were emailed, and were later deemed to be not credible.
Law enforcement agencies were tipped off about threats made to polling locations across Bergen, Essex, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean and Passaic counties Tuesday morning, according to the state Office of the Attorney General.
“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,” the Attorney General’s Office said in a statement.
“Some of these polling locations have already reopened to the public. At others, voters will be directed to a nearby polling location to cast their ballot,” the office added.
After further investigation, officials found that none of the threats were deemed credible, and locations were soon reopened.
Lt. Gov. Tahesha Way, New Jersey’s top election official, released a statement on X that law enforcement was investigating.
“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,” Way said.
Earlier today, bomb threats were made to several polling sites. Law enforcement has determined there are no credible threats at this time.
We are doing everything in our power to protect voters and poll workers and encourage every eligible voter to exercise their right to vote. pic.twitter.com/hKpbxbLoc6— Lt Governor Tahesha Way (@LtGovWay) November 4, 2025
However, the closing of the Republican-heavy polling centers comes during the state’s critical race for Governor between US Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ) who is in a dead heat with Republican businessman and former state legislator Jack Ciattarelli.
Sherrill condemned the threats as an attack on voters in a critical election, calling on residents to stay strong and head to the polls safely.
“Obviously this is an attempt to suppress the vote here,” Sherrill told reporters. “I don’t think New Jerseyans take very kindly to that kind of tampering in our election system.”
The race for the state’s top office has garnered national attention, and the efforts of Democratic and Republican leaders on Capitol Hill.
The race between Sherrill and Ciattarelli has been razor thin for weeks, with a surge of Republican voters leading early voting in the notorious blue state.
As previously reported by The Horn News, in early October, New Jersey Republicans notched an 18.61% return rate for their mail-in ballots, outpacing the Democrats’ 16.55%.
The New Jersey Vote By Mail file is in for 10/03.
Republicans inched their return rate lead up by six basis points yesterday, while Democrats picked up more than 11,000 raw votes.
🔴Republican Return Rate – 18.61%
🔵Democratic Return Rate – 16.55%
🔵DEM Raw Vote Edge – 53,319… pic.twitter.com/XSqYJgOwu5— Michael Pruser (@MichaelPruser) October 3, 2025
GOP pollster Adam Geller, who has worked with the Ciattarelli campaign, told The New York Post that Republicans have historically been less inclined to vote by mail.
“Clearly, it’s encouraging for the Republicans right now,” Geller said, indicating that there could be a major Republican surge in the state.
Brent Buchanan, the president and CEO of Cygnal polling firm, said that the early mail-in data is interesting given President Trump’s growing popularity in the Garden State.
“Republicans have gotten serious about participating in early voting,” Buchanan told The New York Post. “Pair that with the strong shift statewide toward Trump, and you have a growing recipe for Republican wins up and down the ticket.”