Bomb threats close some N.J. polling locations

Several polling locations in New Jersey have been moved on Election Day due to bomb threats that officials say are not credible and other police activity, authorities said.

“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 in a statement Tuesday.

“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, a polling location has been relocated to the Belmar courtroom at 601 Main Street.

In Woodbridge, the polling location at Avenel Middle School is closed due to a police investigation, Middlesex County officials said. Voters are being sent to Woodbine Avenue Elementary School on Woodbine Avenue in Avenel.

Elsewhere in Middlesex County, voters expecting to cast their ballots at Livingston Park School in North Brunswick are being directed Linwood School to cast their vote. There is police activity at Livingston Park School, officials said

Meanwhile, Newark police said they investigating the origin of multiple phishing emails regarding fake claims of bomb threats. A threat on Gotthard Street was unfounded, a police spokeswoman said in an email.

No polling locations in Newark are closed as of 9:30 a.m, the spokeswoman said.

In Passaic County, video shows a heavy police presence outside School 10 in Paterson, a voting location.

“We are taking the threats very seriously and we immediately evacuated the polling sites,” Paterson mayor Andre Sayegh said in statement. “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.”

Meanwhile, Lt. Gov. Tahesha Way said voting will continue safely, despite the non-credible threats.

“We are aware of threats made to several polling locations in New Jersey,” said Way, who serves as New Jersey’s chief election official in her capacity as Secretary of State. “

“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.”