Department of Public Advocate Attorneys to Assist Voters During Tuesday Primary Election

TRENTON – Attorneys from the New Jersey Department of Public Advocate (NJDPA) will operate a voter action hotline and will fan out across the state to provide assistance for individuals denied their right to vote, Public Advocate Ronald K. Chen announced today.

Voters experiencing voting problems can request assistance from NJDPA by calling 609-826-5090 between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Super Tuesday, February 5, during the presidential primary. NJDPA staff attorneys will also be on duty in several courthouses around the state, either representing voters in court or serving as a “friend of the court” in selected voting rights cases, and available to provide voting rights information.

“Voting is a foundation of our democracy and the rights of all voters must be fiercely protected,” said Chen, who has strongly championed voters’ rights during his tenure.

Click here to read about the activities of the Public Advocate’s Voters’ Rights project

During the November 2007 general election, NJDPA attorneys argued in courts around the state in support of citizens seeking the right to vote.  In 32 of those cases, the courts ordered election officials to allow the voters to cast ballots.  Courts denied relief in only two cases.

Last year, Chen called upon county and state election officials to comply with federal polling accessibility laws after an investigation by his office showed that a high percentage of polling places are inaccessible to people with physical disabilities.

Chen also sent an informational letter directly to individuals with disabilities, self-advocacy organizations and community-based groups that serve individuals with disabilities informing them about the voting rights of people with disabilities.  Voters with disabilities are urged to take a copy of this letter with them to the polls on Tuesday. 

Click here for a copy of the Public Advocate's letter to NJ Voters with Disabilities  

Moreover, last week, the Public Advocate filed a brief in a case challenging a directive by the state Attorney General that limits the ability of nonpartisan groups to assist voters at the polls on Election Day.

The directive bans free speech and the distribution of printed information within 100 feet of the entrance to polling places on Election Day.  The only exception is for exit polling, which is permitted so long as pollsters register with election officials at least two weeks before the election. The Advocate’s January 23 brief argues that by imposing substantial regulations on voting rights work, the directive is creating a risk that citizens will be deprived of valuable assistance and was improperly adopted without providing for full public notice and comment.

Click here to read the Public Advocate's brief in the voting rights appeal

The Advocate’s Voting Rights Project has also spotlighted the ways in which the State of New Jersey falls short in registering people to vote.  And the Department has presented extensive testimony and appeared in court about the need for voting machines that are accurate, reliable, and secure.

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