New Jersey state election officials could soon face a stark choice: Hand over voter lists to the Trump administration or risk losing USPS delivery for mail-in ballots.
So far, 23 Democratic-led states and the District of Columbia are suing, as are Democratic Party leaders and non-partisan voter advocacy groups, setting up a potentially active summer of high-stakes judicial rulings. We don’t know what the Courts will decide, but the first round in the Courts has already been lost by the plaintiffs. And, the USPS already does not have to postmark your ballot the day it’s mailed.
Choice #1:
Decide to vote in person at your polling place. Bergen County has assured us that there will be no federal agents or militia groups at the polls. We live in hope that there will be no intimidation tactics allowed.
You can change your mail-in voting preference to in-person voting by obtaining a Vote By Mail Removal Form from the Bergen County Clerk, Elections Division. The form is on their website: https://www.bergencountyclerk.gov/Elections
Or, you can call the Bergen County Clerk, Elections Division at: 201-336-7020. They will send the Vote By Mail Removal Form to you.
Commencement of Mailing of Mail-In Ballots for General Election is September 19, 2026, so submit your Vote By Mail Removal Form at least 2 to 3 weeks before that.
Choice #2:
Every Active registered voter is eligible to request a Mail-in Ballot. Please contact your county clerk, at 201-336-7020, to submit a request. If you would like to receive your ballot by mail you must request your ballot not less than 7 days before an election.
Otherwise, you must get your Mail-in Ballot in-person from your county clerk, by 3 p.m., the day before Election Day.
NJ Voting Rights Resources:
https://nj.gov/state/elections/vote-faq.shtml
Choice #3:
Maintain your mail-in voter status and use the drop boxes. You can bring others’ ballots, but there are restrictions and rules: Can I deliver more than 1 vote-by-mail ballot to the Board of Elections office or place it in the ballot drop box?
It will be important to follow the rules to a T, in case of any challenges.
https://nj.gov/state/elections/vote-faq.shtml
The Great Unknown:
I don’t know if the Trump administration has plans to intimidate mail-in voters at the drop boxes by posting federal agents or militia group members, like the Proud Boys* or Oath Keepers, near them, or if local police can/will do anything about that. Both are local militias. Before you throw up your hands and say, “Oh, they can’t do that!”, look at what Trump et al are already doing and then rule it out, if you can. This regime will do anything to keep power. We must be at the ready.
I’d bet the ranch that the local Proud Boys and Oath Keepers are at the ready, if asked. A former Oath Keeper, Edward Durfee, a Northvale resident, was elected to the Northern Valley Regional High School Board of Education in 2025. He was subsequently disqualified, but the far-right is out there, plugging away against us.
Proud Boys is an American far-right, neo-fascist militant organization that promotes and engages in political violence, such as the January 6 insurrection. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proud_Boys
Oath Keepers have a far-right, anti-government ideology, and have been involved in high-profile events, such as the January 6 insurrection. George Washington University
Agents fanned out across Ohio, showing up at the homes of the group’s leaders and staff, seeking information and seizing electronic devices. This is not just an attack on voting rights. It is an attack on the people’s power and Constitutional rights.
Maybe it’s early to send this out, but maybe not. As further tactics to curtail voting arise, it’s better to know what you can do. I’ll send this letter again midsummer, around August 2, while there’s still time to pivot. It’s going to be a busy summer for activists. I hope you’re one.**
Bonnie
*https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trump-supporters-proud-boys-crash-anti-ice-protest-in-new-jersey/ar-AA24A5EM
**https://docs.google.com/document/d/14nw_sVyQuMkE1iUPS6M7CWvpz_5FDEVymOpjG3bTk7E/edit?usp=sharing