Federal officers and troops would face limits near voting sites

Federal law enforcement officers would generally be barred from standing or remaining within 100 feet of a polling place. The limit would apply at New Jersey polling places while an election is underway. Exceptions cover personal voting, access to an officer’s home, escorts for people needing help, and authorized election observers. Officers could respond to requests about an existing emergency, reported crime, or disturbance, and stay only as long as needed.

Active-duty military members would face a 100-foot limit around polling places during elections. Active-duty members of the U.S. military and New Jersey National Guard would be covered, in or out of uniform. Exceptions cover voting, access to personal homes, escorts, permitted requests for help, and authorized election observers. The governor could send Guard members to protect voter access from threats; they could not interfere with voters.

Federal officers and troops on active-duty orders could not stand or remain within 100 feet of ballot drop boxes in use during elections. This would cover federal law enforcement officers, U.S. military members, and New Jersey National Guard members. Exceptions cover voting, access to personal homes, escorts, disturbance response, and requested help. The governor could send Guard members to counter threats to voter access without interfering with voters. The bill would take effect immediately if enacted.