The county overseers of voting are preparing for the midterm races amid questions about New Jersey’s top election official and vote-by-mail court challenges.
Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell, who as secretary of state also is New Jersey’s chief election officer, is reportedly under internal investigation for alleged improprieties. Gov. Mikie Sherrill, a Democrat who took office in January, has neither confirmed nor denied an inquiry. She has said that she takes complaints against officials “very seriously” and all complaints will get “a full airing and a full review.”
Multiple news sites have reported that Christopher Porrino, who was attorney general under Republican Gov. Chris Christie, is conducting an investigation that dates to at least May. The New York Times reported that the matter began with an anonymous letter to state officials stating that Caldwell had brought uninvited female guests to three events.
Caldwell’s office oversees the county officials who administer elections. Republican lawmakers are calling for Caldwell to resign, in part to ensure the integrity of House and U.S. Senate races.
Caldwell has not been charged with any wrongdoing.
Sherrill said Wednesday that state and county election officials are in “close contact” ahead of the Sept. 19 deadline to send the first batch of mail-in ballots. On Thursday, a federal appeals court denied the Trump administration’s request to let a U.S. Postal Service rule for mailed ballots to take effect for the Nov. 3 race. The administration is appealing to the U.S. Supreme Court.
In the meantime, county officials are preparing to print ballots and envelopes.
Election officials say they have heard from some voters who are concerned about potential changes to mail-in balloting. The midterm election will decide whether Republicans will keep control of Congress. At least one race in New Jersey, in the 7th District represented by Republican Tom Kean Jr., is key to both major parties’ strategies for House control. The U.S. Senate seat held by Democrat Cory Booker is also on the ballot, though that is considered reliably Democrat.
