On Tuesday, New Jersey’s law enforcement and election officials promptly addressed bomb threats targeting polling sites, which were later found to be baseless.

Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way, who oversees election operations in the state, announced that these threats had been sent via email to seven counties, including Passaic. This county is particularly significant as it was under the watchful eye of Department of Justice election monitors.

“Currently, there are no credible threats,” Way reassured. “Our priority is to safeguard voters and poll workers. We are collaborating with state, local, and federal agencies to ensure the election proceeds seamlessly and securely.”

The threats emerged on the last day of voting in the state’s high-stakes gubernatorial race, echoing the previous year’s presidential election disruptions caused by bomb threats in key states. Similarly, last year in Springfield, Ohio, false bomb threats circulated, exacerbated by Donald Trump’s campaign rhetoric involving baseless claims about Haitian immigrants.

According to New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin, the threats impacted polling stations in Bergen, Essex, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, and Passaic counties. While some polling places resumed normal operations, others redirected voters to alternative locations for casting their ballots.

“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.

The FBI’s Newark office said it was aware of the reports and was assisting the state and local agencies.

Passaic County received three threats and redirected some affected voters to other locations early Tuesday, county spokesperson Lindsay Reed said in an email. One location, a school building, was cleared and voting had resumed.

Passaic is among six counties in two states where the DOJ announced last month it would send federal observers. The other five are in California, which is holding a special election asking voters to allow a redraw of the state’s congressional map as a way to counter Republican redistricting urged by Trump.

The DOJ was responding to requests from the Republican parties in each state, both of which are under Democratic control. The department said its goal in deploying the monitors was “to ensure transparency, ballot security, and compliance with federal law.”

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Associated Press writer Kathy McCormack in Concord, New Hampshire, contributed to this report.