Chilling Election Day threat triggers relocation of several NJ polling locations

🚨Bomb threats forced relocations of seven NJ polling sites Tuesday morning

🚨Toms River, Woodbridge, and Lake Como schools were targeted as voting began

🚨The email making one threat said it was 'politically motivated'

Bomb threats were made against at least seven polling locations in New Jersey as voting got underway Tuesday morning. Polls remain open until 8 p.m. as voters decides the next governor as well as many county, municipal and school board races.

UPDATE: Officials in Bergen County said the bomb threats that hit their polling locations were hoaxes and that voters had no reason to worry.

UPDATE: New York Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani blamed President Trump's rhetoric for the New Jersey election chaos

New Jersey 101.5 has obtained an email sent to a Toms River Regional School District official claiming a bomb was hidden near the entrance to the area for voting at the Cedar Grove Elementary School. The author of the email said dogs could easily find the bomb.

"It is for political purposes, evacuate voting location until it is discovered. I do not want your f**king schoolchildren to find it first and go boom! If this misfortune happens, do not sob for media cameras because it is YOUR gamble," the email says.

COMPLETE RESULTS: New Jersey gubernatorial election results on Tuesday night

Threats in seven counties

Attorney General Matt Platkin said threats were also made at polling locations in Bergen, Essex, Mercer and Passaic counties. Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora said the Mercer County threats were against locations in his city and neighboring Ewing.

The Trenton threat was directed at the Hedgepeth William Elementary School, which was searched by officers and K-9 units at 5 a.m., according to Trenton Police Director Steve Wilson. The building was deemed safe and voting went on as scheduled. Trenton public schools were already closed on Tuesday.

North Brunswick election officials moved voting from the Livingston Park School to the Linwood School.

"Law enforcement officers have responded at each affected polling place, and they have worked swiftly to secure these polling locations and ensure the safety of every voter," Platkin said. "Make no mistake: We will not tolerate any attempts to interfere with our elections, and we will swiftly hold accountable anyone who seeks to interfere with the safety or security of our electoral process."

Lt. Gov. Tahesha Way, who is also the secretary of state, which oversees elections, said none of the threats were credible "at this time."

Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-NJ, 2nd District said threats to seven different locations on Election Days was not a coincidence and said they were meant to scare voters. He called for a Department of Justice investigation.

"No American should ever fear for their life when they go to vote. Anyone who would threaten violence to interfere with our elections is a coward and a criminal. It is totally un-American and a direct attack on our democracy," the Republican said in a statement.

Bergen County officials said law enforcement thoroughly checked polling locations to confirm no suspicious items or credible threats.

Bergen County law enforcement continues to investigate these incidents, which appear to be malicious, intimidation-driven acts intended to disrupt the democratic process," a spokesman for the county government said Tuesday morning. "Authorities have confirmed that there is no threat to public safety or to any polling place. Residents can be confident that law enforcement has taken all necessary steps to ensure polling sites remain safe and secure."

ALSO READ: How to report Election Day irregularities and get help

Woodbridge polling place moved amid active police investigation

A message from Middlesex County said "an active law enforcement investigation" forced the polling location at the Avenel Middle School in Woodbridge to be moved to Woodbine School 23 next door. It caused a delay in voting as equipment was moved to the new location next door.

"Middlesex County recognizes that any change on Election Day may cause inconvenience and appreciates the public’s understanding. This decision was made out of an abundance of caution and with the highest priority placed on public safety. The County remains firmly committed to transparency and to ensuring that every eligible voter can participate in a fair, secure, and accessible election," the letter says.

Voting in Lake Como was switched to the Belmar Court at 601 Main St. in Belmar due to "an ongoing police emergency," according to a message on the borough website.

Eric Scott contributed to this report.

Report a correction 👈 | 👉 Contact our newsroom