Deputies on duty at NJ polling places to deal with voting problems

 Joella Bedrosian stands in a booth as she votes while the family dog, Allie, waits in Mendham Township, New Jersey, on Election Day 2013. (AP file photo)

Joella Bedrosian stands in a booth as she votes while the family dog, Allie, waits in Mendham Township, New Jersey, on Election Day 2013. (AP file photo)

Nearly 200 deputy attorneys general will be at polling places throughout New Jersey Tuesday to ensure a smooth-running election.

 

The deputies are ready to deal with a variety of issues — including who can legally be in the voting booth, said Executive Assistant Attorney General Lee Vartan.

“For example, handicapped folks or people who are visually impaired have the right to have someone with them in the voting booth,” he said. “We’ll be sure that that law is enforced.”

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Another possible scenario could involve an ill or injured voter sending an emissary, he said.

“A voter who may have fallen ill still wants to vote, so he or she will send a relative on their behalf to pick up a mail-in ballot, which can be legally done,” Vartan said. “But for that, you have to make application to the court. So our deputies are there to assist with the process.”

The deputies also will make sure there’s no electioneering within a hundred feet of a polling place that might interfere with voters.

Most of the issues are resolved on the spot, and the deputies will be on duty in every county from the time the polls open at 6 a.m. until they close at 8 p.m.

Anyone who wants to report voting-related problems can call the state’s hotline at 1-877-NJ-Voter.

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