Justice Department to Deploy Federal Monitors in Passaic County Ahead of New Jersey Vote

Federal officials confirmed that the DOJ will send election monitors to Passaic County, New Jersey, polling stations before the November 4, 2025, general election. State Republican leaders concerned about mail-in ballots and transparency in a governor’s race-critical county repeatedly demanded this action.

The DOJ said the implementation will ensure federal voting law compliance and election confidence. U.S. Attorneys and the DOJ Civil Rights Division will oversee polls and ballot processing.

The NJ Republican State Committee asked the DOJ to oversee Passaic County mail-in ballot reception, storage, and counting. The letter mentions a 2020 Paterson voter-fraud probe that charged several city council members. Republicans wanted federal monitors to check county Board of Elections access, ballot storage logbooks, and signature-verification methods.

Local state politicians oppose federal intrusion. New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin called the deployment “highly inappropriate” and said states should manage elections under the Constitution. Some elected officials and voting-rights groups say federal monitors may lower minority voter turnout.

Political environment of Passaic County affects the decision. Historically a Democratic stronghold, the county voted for Trump in 2024, showing its swing status. Republican Jack Ciattarelli and Democrat Mikie Sherrill need urban counties like Passaic for governor.

Election-law experts say the DOJ has long deployed Voting Rights Act of 1965 monitors to known problem regions. Having monitors at an off-year election without federal elections is rare and raises problems.

As Election Day approaches, Passaic County election officials will collaborate with federal monitors. County board members highlighted that eligible voters can vote securely and that the monitoring mechanism maintains public trust. Partisan election risk assessments continue to be questioned for timing and jurisdiction selection.

In the coming weeks, Passaic County voters will see candidates and federal monitors affect polling place behavior. Election integrity and voter access are again at issue in a key New Jersey contest.

Sources
AP News 
CBS News 
DOJ Press Release 
New Jersey Monitor