2002-05-10 -- Newark Mayoral Election 2002 -- Federal Election Monitors -- News Release

Federal Monitors to be Dispatched Across Newark for Election Day

NEWARK - U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Christie today directed attorneys, investigators and other staff of his office to be dispatched as federal election monitors on May 14 to locations throughout Newark.

Observers will be watching for, among other things, voter intimidation, coercion, vote fraud, discrimination or any other irregularities at and around Newark's more than 100 polling places.

"Our goal is to protect the rights of all Newark citizens to vote and to preserve the integrity of the election process," Christie said. "This is a goal that is in the interest of all the candidates, the United States Attorney's Office and certainly the voters of Newark."

"We expect an orderly, event-free Election Day, but if problems do occur, we will act as necessary," Christie said.

The U.S. Attorney requested meetings with all three candidates for mayor in Newark to discuss the plan and their ideas, as well as their concerns regarding potential trouble spots on Election Day. Christie met with Mayor James and Councilman Booker, and both candidates welcomed the federal presence.

Christie has discussed his plan for Election Day with New Jersey Attorney General David Samson. Christie said he looked forward to cooperating with state and local law enforcement and election officials to ensure fairness in the election.

A command post will be established in the U.S. Attorney's Office on Election Day to process all information gathered and take whatever action is appropriate. The U.S. Attorney's Office could, for example, seek emergency civil injunctions or prosecute individuals criminally. The U.S. Attorney's team will aggressively protect the rights of all voters on Election Day.

The U.S. Attorney's Office will also have an Election Hotline number for May 14. The number is (973) 645-2924.

The U.S. Attorney's Office will be working on Election Day with the U.S. Marshal's Service, under the direction of U.S. Marshal James Plousis, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Thomas Phillip W. Thomas.