Consumer-protection lawsuit alleges L’Oréal misled Black women and children about product safety, leading to possible cancer risks

###### **For Immediate Release: October 22, 2026** **Office of the Attorney General** – Jennifer Davenport, _Attorney General _**Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor ** – Bernard J. Cooney, _Acting Insurance Fraud Prosecutor_ ###### **For Further Information:** **Media Inquiries-** Matthew Reilly OAGpress@njoag.gov **TRENTON** — Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and the Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor (OIFP) announced today that an East Orange, New Jersey, man has been sentenced to three years in New Jersey state prison for filing thousands of false Medicaid claims and receiving approximately $3.48 million in fraudulent payments from the program through a company he took over from his deceased sister. Vicente Lopez, 64, pleaded guilty in June 2026 before Superior Court Judge L. Grace Spencer to health care claims fraud, Medicaid fraud, and three counts of filing a fraudulent tax return. In addition to the prison term, Lopez was ordered to pay $95,000 in restitution to the state. Judge Spencer imposed the sentence October 21, 2026, in Essex County. “Medicaid is intended to provide critical health care to vulnerable New Jersey residents who need it, not to serve as a source of personal profit through fraudulent billing,” **said Attorney General Davenport.** “Individuals and families in New Jersey count on this health care lifeline. This sentence demonstrates that those who exploit this vital program for their own financial gain will be held accountable.” “For years, the defendant submitted or directed the submission of thousands of false claims for services he was neither qualified nor authorized to provide,” **said Acting Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Bernard J. Cooney.** “His scheme resulted in millions of dollars in improper Medicaid payments, and today’s sentence holds him responsible for that conduct.” According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court, Lopez was the head of Joyce Lopez & Associates (JLA), which at one time provided psychological counseling services to Medicaid patients. After his sister died in 2021, Lopez took sole control of JLA. Lopez submitted or caused to be submitted over 34,000 claims to Medicaid for psychological services and received approximately $3.48 million in connection with those claims. Neither Lopez nor JLA was an approved Medicaid provider. Lopez submitted the false claims using the name and provider number of a licensed psychiatrist without the psychiatrist’s permission or knowledge. The psychiatrist also did not provide psychotherapy services to any JLA patients. Lopez also impermissibly billed Medicaid for services not rendered. Lopez failed to pay taxes for tax years 2021, 2022, and 2023. When brought to his attention by the State, Lopez eventually filed his tax returns but failed to disclose his full income. As of June 18, 2025, Lopez had a personal net New Jersey state tax liability of $52,372 for tax years 2021-2023. As of that date, he also owed a combined civil fraud penalty to the State of New Jersey totaling $26,186, with an additional $21,151 in interest, totaling $99,709 in taxes, penalties, and interest. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General Laura L. Bryant of OIFP’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU). The case was investigated by Sergeant Michael Rosati. Acting Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Cooney also thanked the New Jersey Department of the Treasury’s Office of Criminal Investigation for its assistance. OIFP’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit specifically protects Medicaid beneficiaries and the Medicaid Program from fraud, waste, and abuse. The Unit also may review complaints of abuse or neglect of patients or residents in care facilities regardless of the funding source. New Jersey MFCU’s total funding for federal fiscal year 2026 is $11.6 million. Of that total, 75 percent is awarded under a grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The remaining 25 percent is funded by the State of New Jersey. To report fraud, abuse or neglect, please email NJMFCU@njdcj.org or call 609-292-1272. If you are concerned about insurance cheating in general, and have information about insurance fraud, you can report fraud anonymously by calling the toll-free hotline at 1-877-55-FRAUD, or visiting www.NJInsurancefraud.org. State regulations permit a reward to be paid to eligible persons who provide information that leads to an arrest, prosecution, and conviction for insurance fraud. * * * Defense counsel: Lisa Sullivan Lopata, Esq., Assistant Deputy Public Defender ###

Joins 22 AGs in arguing lawsuit has no constitutional basis, risks disenfranching eligible voters, and is deliberate act of bad faith

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison released the following statement in reaction to media reports that the federal government is again refusing to share evidence with state agencies

###### **For Immediate Release: October 21, 2026** **Office of the Attorney General** – Jennifer Davenport, _Attorney General_ ###### **For Further Information:** **Media Inquiries-** Dan Prochilo OAGpress@njoag.gov View Flyer English | Spanish **TRENTON** — Attorney General Jennifer Davenport today announced upcoming listening sessions in North, Central, and South Jersey where residents, law enforcement, and organizations will have an opportunity to give feedback on the state’s rules governing the use of force by law enforcement. By law the Attorney General must review the Use of Force Policy in even-numbered years and, if needed, make revisions. As part of the review process, the Attorney General’s Office is seeking input from community members, religious leaders, civil rights organizations, police officers, youth groups, and victims’ advocates. Community comments and perspectives will be taken into consideration as potential policy amendments are weighed. Listening sessions will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on the following dates: * **Tuesday, November 10** : Greater Mount Zion AME Church, 42 Pennington Ave., Trenton * **Thursday, November 12** : New Hope Memorial Baptist Church, 91 Division St., Elizabeth * **Thursday, November 19** : Faith Baptist Church, 829 Tilton Road, Pleasantville Anyone interested in attending a session as an audience member or speaker is asked to preregister by going to https://www.njoag.gov/force-sessions/. The website is also available in Spanish at https://www.njoag.gov/force-sessions-esp. “These periodic reevaluations of New Jersey’s Use of Force Policy provide an opportunity to ensure our standards align with best practices and address emerging threats and challenges facing our officers and the public,” **said Attorney General Davenport**. “We want to hear from the public as we consider whether the Use of Force Policy effectively protects both law enforcement and the community.” A 2024 review of the Use of Force Policy resulted in revisions related to handling situations involving barricaded individuals, particularly those who may be experiencing behavioral, mental health, or substance-use-related crisis. The revisions require officers dealing with a barricaded individual to contact designated tactical teams to respond. Those tactical teams must be equipped with less lethal weapons, such as conducted energy devices (CEDs), commonly referred to as tasers. First-responding officers facing a barricaded individual situation are also advised to wait for appropriate resources to respond before attempting to force a resolution, unless immediately necessary to prevent injury or death. In addition, tactical and crisis negotiation teams are required to identify qualified mental health professionals who can be available to respond to incidents involving a barricaded individual or hostage situation. A 2022 revision to the Use of Force Policy included an update to the vehicular pursuit policy, which provides guidance on the circumstances when officers may engage in high-speed pursuits. Revisions to the Attorney General’s Use of Force Policy must be in furtherance of core principles, including respecting the sanctity of human life, prioritizing alternatives to the use of force, using deadly force as a last resort, and promoting only reasonable and proportional force. Additional core principles, such as the duty to prevent and report uses of force that are illegal or excessive, and the duty to render medical assistance, are set forth in the Use of Force policy. The policy is available online at https://www.njoag.gov/force/. ###

###### **For Immediate Release: October 23, 2026** **Office of the Attorney General** – Jennifer Davenport, _Attorney General _**Division of Criminal Justice** _ _– Martha Nye,_Interim Director_ **New Jersey State Police** – Jeanne Hengemuhle, _Superintendent_ __ ###### **For Further Information:** **Media Inquiries-** Matthew Reilly OAGpress@njoag.gov **TRENTON** — Attorney General Jennifer Davenport, the Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ), and the New Jersey State Police announced today that a Passaic County man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for using a hidden camera to record children in his bathroom and attempting to meet with an individual who he believed to be a 13-year-old child. Bradford Flaker, 43, of Hawthorne, New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty to first-degree manufacturing child sexual abuse or exploitation material (CSAEM), first-degree distribution of CSAEM, first-degree possession of CSAEM, and second-degree luring. “The 20-year prison term this defendant was sentenced to today reflects the gravity of his crimes,” **said Attorney General Davenport.** “He used a hidden camera to secretly record children, whose images he then shared with others. Finding and stopping sexual predators is always a priority of this office, and it always will be.” “This prosecution is a prime example of the benefit of coordinated law enforcement efforts in this space,” **said Interim DCJ Director Martha Nye. “** We will use every enforcement tool available to us to pursue those will seek to abuse and exploit children and hold them accountable to the fullest extent of the law.” “The defendant’s state prison sentence underscores the seriousness of these offenses, which involved the exploitation of minors and resulted in guilty pleas to multiple first‑ and second‑degree crimes,” **said Jeanne Hengemuhle, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police.** “Exploiting children is an abhorrent offense, and those who engage in such conduct must be held fully accountable under the law. We will continue to use every investigative tool available to uncover these offenses and safeguard children across New Jersey. We remain resolute in our commitment to protecting children and pursuing justice for the most vulnerable members of our communities.” On May 21, 2025, an individual using the online moniker “Flaker” contacted another user he believed to be a 13-year-old girl on a mobile messaging app; the 13-year-old girl was actually a New Jersey State Police undercover officer. Flaker indicated to the undercover officer that he “liked young girls.” The undercover officer communicated with Flaker by text message due to Flaker’s messaging app account being banned. An investigation into the banned account found 115 video files and 12 image files containing CSAEM. The investigation also revealed chat logs indicating Flaker placed hidden cameras in his bathroom to record children in the bathroom at his house. During the undercover chat Flaker also arranged to meet with the undercover officer at a park in Belmar, New Jersey, where he said he was planning to sexually assault the “minor.” Flaker communicated with the undercover officer during his travels and arrived at the predetermined location, where he was arrested. Flaker eventually admitted to the acts which he ultimately pled guilty to in court. The prosecution was handled by DCJ Deputy Attorney General Michael Forte under the supervision of Unit Chief Lisa Rastelli. ###

The Attorney General’s Office entered a consent decree today with seven Kiddie Academy childcare centers resolving claims they illegally prevented employees from working other jobs in their off hours.

The Attorney General’s Office held a “Data, Transparency, and Police Use of Force” community forum in Everett Thursday evening to advance the office’s transparency work, partnership with local law enforcement, and commitment to community engagement.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is Saturday, Oct. 24. Attorney General Nick Brown encourages Washingtonians to safely dispose of unneeded medications to prevent drug misuse and abuse.

Minnesotans encouraged to report any incidents in Minnesota that occur between September 18 and November 3

###### **For Immediate Release: October 20, 2026** **Office of the Attorney General** – Jennifer Davenport, _Attorney General_ _ _**Division of Criminal Justice** _ –_ Martha Nye _, Interim _Director__ ###### **For Further Information:** **Media Inquiries-** Matthew Reilly OAGpress@njoag.gov **TRENTON** — Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and the Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ) announced today that a Newark man was sentenced to seven years in prison for possessing and distributing images of child sexual abuse. Ricardo J. Almeida, 42, of Newark, pleaded guilty on May 21, 2026, before Superior Court Judge Patrick Arre to first-degree endangering the welfare of a child, distribution of child sexual abuse/exploitation material (CSAEM), 1,000 or more images, and second-degree possession of CSAEM. Judge Arre imposed the sentence on October 15, 2026, in Essex County. “Every time images of child sexual abuse and exploitation are shared, children are revictimized,” **said Attorney General Davenport**. “The defendant in this case perpetuated the cycle of abuse and he was held accountable. Protecting our young people remains a top priority of our office. We take that responsibility seriously and remain committed to this important work.” “The internet is a dangerous place, especially for children, who are vulnerable to the worst kind of predatory abusers,” **said DCJ Interim Director Martha Nye**. “We will continue to find those who view and share recorded images of these crimes.” According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court, Almedia possessed CSAEM from January 1, 2025, to March 20, 2025. On January 22, 2025, DCJ received a report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) regarding a messaging app user who uploaded 47 video files and one image of child sexual abuse/exploitation material. The investigation revealed that the account was owned by Almeida, and that he distributed a CSAEM file to another user on the messaging app. On February 18, 2025, DCJ received an additional cybertip through the New Jersey Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force regarding a messaging app user. The report included 41 videos and seven images consistent with CSAEM. The investigation revealed that the account was owned by Almeida. The case was prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General Domenico Stockton-Rossini. * * * Defense counsel: Eric Feinberg Esq., Mount Holly, New Jersey ###

The president’s son-in-law dismissed a bombshell report as “completely insane.”

Washington and other plaintiff states have won their lawsuit to protect the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program for those working in public service careers, following the U.S. Department of Education dropping its appeal of a court ruling rejecting attempts to weaponize the program for political purposes.

A bipartisan coalition of 12 attorneys general and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), including Attorney General Nick Brown, today filed a lawsuit to block the merger of two of the largest makers of playground equipment, alleging the deal would raise prices for schools, parks, churches, and local governments that build or maintain playgrounds.

_Settlement Requires Sale of Some Asphalt Plants in New Jersey_ ###### **For Immediate Release: October 22, 2026** **Office of The Attorney General** – Jennifer Davenport, _Attorney General_ **Division of Law** _ – Michael C. Walters, Director _ ###### **For Further Information:** **Media Inquiries-** Allison Inserro OAGpress@njoag.gov Complaint | Consent Judgment **TRENTON** — Attorney General Jennifer Davenport today announced the filing of a proposed consent judgment to preserve competition in the market for hot-mix asphalt (HMA) used to build and repair New Jersey’s roads. As a condition of CRH PLC’s proposed acquisition of Arcosa, Inc., New Jersey will require the sale of multiple HMA plants, including facilities in Flemington, South River, Hillsborough, Howell, and Pennington. CRH proposed to buy Arcosa in June for more than $8 billion. “By requiring the sale of these asphalt plants before the merger can proceed, we are ensuring that New Jersey taxpayers are protected from the higher prices that would almost certainly result from a near monopoly in this market,” **said Attorney General Davenport**. “This agreement keeps the market competitive and safeguards the millions of public dollars spent every year on road infrastructure.” The complaint filed alongside the proposed final judgment alleges that CRH and Arcosa together would control roughly 75% of the supply of HMA approved by the New Jersey Department of Transportation across Mercer, Hunterdon, Somerset, Middlesex, and Monmouth counties if the merger were to proceed without conditions. This level of concentration would eliminate vital head‑to‑head competition, increase the likelihood of higher asphalt prices, and burden New Jersey taxpayers, who fund hundreds of millions of dollars in road infrastructure projects each year. Antitrust action was especially important here because the market for HMA has high barriers to entry: new competitors need significant time and investment to set up production facilities and test products that meet NJDOT specifications. For example, any new players in the NJDOT-approved HMA market would have to purchase appropriate land close to an aggregate quarry, build a plant, procure the necessary land-use and environmental permits, and obtain NJDOT approval of each HMA mix made. So if the merger were to proceed without the agreed-upon divestiture of the existing plants, road infrastructure projects in New Jersey would likely have been completed at a higher cost to State taxpayers, or at a minimum significantly delayed. The settlement gives the State of New Jersey sole discretion to approve the buyers of the divested assets, ensuring that the facilities remain in the hands of viable competitors capable of keeping prices fair. The complaint and proposed final judgment were filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey October 20, 2026, and are awaiting judicial approval. Attorney General Davenport was represented in this matter by Assistant Attorney General Brian McDonough, Antitrust Section Chief David Reichenberg, and Deputy Attorney General Samuel Kontos-Bleifer in the Affirmative Civil Enforcement Practice Group, under the supervision of Deputy Director Sara M. Gregory, within the Division of Law. ###

###### **For Immediate Release: October 21, 2026** **Office of the Attorney General** – Jennifer Davenport, _Attorney General _**Department of Human Services** – Stephen Cha, _Commissioner_ ###### **For Further Information:** **Media Inquiries-** Lisa Coryell OAGpress@njoag.gov **TRENTON** — The Department of Human Services and the Office of the Attorney General are partnering to raise awareness of scams targeting immigrant communities and help individuals seeking immigration services identify reliable, legitimate legal services providers. The Department’s Office of New Americans and the Attorney General’s Division of Consumer Affairs have made guidance available online that explains how individuals can find safe legal assistance, recognize potential immigration scams, and file a complaint if they have been victimized. The guidance provides practical information to help individuals protect themselves and their immigration cases from fraud and exploitation. Read the guidance here. “Having access to accurate and reliable information is essential to empowering immigrant communities to understand their rights, make informed choices, and advocate for themselves and their families. By knowing what to look for, recognizing red flags, and seeking services from qualified and authorized providers, individuals can better protect themselves from fraud and exploitation,” **said Human Services Commissioner Stephen Cha**. “At a time when immigrant families are facing tremendous uncertainty, access to trustworthy information and qualified legal assistance is more important than ever,” **said Attorney General Jennifer Davenport.** “No one should be allowed to exploit that uncertainty for financial gain. We want to help equip New Jersey’s immigrant communities to avoid fraud and turn to us if they believe they have been victimized.” The State is reminding residents seeking immigration services to be aware that only attorneys and accredited representatives authorized by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services are allowed to prepare legal documents such as immigration forms, give advice on legal matters, or represent clients in a legal proceeding. An accredited representative must have training and authorization from the U.S. government to help people with immigration cases. Individuals can verify an individual or organization’s accreditation through the federal government’s listing of accredited representatives**.** In many Spanish-speaking countries, a Notario Público is a trained and licensed legal professional. In the United States, however, a “notario” is generally a public notary and is not the same as a lawyer or an authorized immigration representative. Most people in the U.S. who advertise “notario services” are not licensed attorneys and may not be authorized to provide legal advice and/or immigration services. Unscrupulous individuals may pose as “immigration consultants,” “ _notarios_ ,” or even attorneys, falsely claiming they can provide immigration assistance, often targeting immigrants with limited English proficiency or those who are particularly vulnerable. “There is nothing more reprehensible than taking advantage of people who are in dire need of help. Scammers prey on people’s desperation and exploit their vulnerability, and the results can be devastating. This information can help individuals recognize potential scams and proceed with caution when seeking legal services for these often complex and sensitive matters,” **said Deputy Commissioner for Social Services Michael J. Wilson**. “Immigration fraud can have devastating consequences, and no one should be afraid to come forward when they believe they’ve been deceived or exploited,” **said Christopher Peterson, Acting Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs**. “Our doors are open to every New Jersey consumer, and we will take all allegations of fraud seriously.” Fraudsters may exploit people’s need for help, charging excessive fees, providing incorrect or fraudulent legal advice, or mishandling personal information. The consequences to their misled clients can be severe, including identity theft, financial fraud, immigration detention, or even deportation. Individuals should be cautious when seeking immigration assistance, particularly when communicating through emails or unfamiliar websites. They should also remember that official U.S. government websites end in **.gov** ; USCIS immigration forms are always free; and government agencies will never demand payment by cash, gift card, cryptocurrency, wire transfer, text message, or social media. Individuals should be wary of anyone demanding payment for legal services through these methods, as this may be a sign of fraud. “It is all too common to hear stories of people who have lost money or put their immigration status at risk because they placed their trust in people who had no intention of helping them. This resource can help protect people who are already in a vulnerable position from putting their cases, and their livelihoods in this country, in the hands of the wrong people,” **said Office of New Americans Executive Director Johanna Calle**. Individuals can protect themselves by: * getting a referral from someone they trust for a provider with a proven track record of being trustworthy and effective; * asking for a written agreement explaining services and fees; * getting receipts for all payments and copies of everything they sign; * never signing forms they do not understand or blank forms; and * keeping their original documents and only providing copies. To report immigration scams, please contact the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs (Division) by visiting https://njconsumeraffairs.nj.gov/file-a-complaint/. The Division intakes reports from all people regardless of their citizenship or immigration status, and Division employees do not ask about citizenship or immigration status. ###

Attorney General Nick Brown joined a coalition of 22 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief Monday in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit in support of litigation challenging the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) policy and practice of conducting unlawful warrantless civil immigration arrests.

###### **For Immediate Release: October 19, 2026** **Office of The Attorney General** – Jennifer Davenport,_Attorney General_ **Division of Gaming Enforcement** – Mary Jo Flaherty, _Interim Director_ ###### **For Further Information:** **Media Inquiries-** OAGpress@njoag.gov **ATLANTIC CITY —** Today the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement announced the September 2026 total gaming revenue results. **Casino Win:** Casino Win for the nine casino hotels was $227.8 million for September 2026, reflecting a decrease of 1.3% when compared to $230.7 million reported for September 2025. Year-to-date Casino Win was $2.24 billion through September 2026, reflecting an increase of 1.4% compared to the prior year-to-date period. The Monthly Gross Revenue Reports are posted online at https://www.njoag.gov/about/divisions-and-offices/division-of-gaming-enforcement-home/financial-and-statistical-information/monthly-gross-revenue-reports/ **Internet Gaming Win:** Internet Gaming Win for the casinos and their partners was $274.8 million for September 2026, reflecting growth of 13.0% when compared to $243.1 million reported for September 2025. Year-to-date Internet Gaming Win was $2.40 billion through September 2026, reflecting growth of 13.2% when compared to $2.12 billion for the prior year-to-date period. The Monthly Internet Gaming Gross Revenue Reports are posted online at https://www.njoag.gov/about/divisions-and-offices/division-of-gaming-enforcement-home/financial-and-statistical-information/monthly-internet-gross-revenue-reports/ **Sports Wagering Gross Revenue:** Sports Wagering Gross Revenue for the casinos, racetracks, and their partners was $77.0 million for September 2026, reflecting a decrease of 14.3% when compared to $89.8 million reported for September 2025. Year-to-date Sports Wagering Gross Revenue was $748.4 million through September 2026, reflecting a decrease of 6.3% when compared to $798.5 million reported for the prior year-to-date period. The Monthly Sports Wagering Tax Returns are posted online at https://www.njoag.gov/about/divisions-and-offices/division-of-gaming-enforcement-home/financial-and-statistical-information/monthly-sports-wagering-revenue-reports/ **Total Gaming Revenue:** Total Gaming Revenue for casinos, racetracks, and their partners was $579.6 million for September 2026, reflecting an increase of 2.8% when compared to $563.7 million reported for September 2025. Year-to-date Total Gaming Revenue was $5.39 billion through September 2026, reflecting 5.1% growth when compared to $5.13 billion reported for the prior year-to-date period. Total Gross Revenue Taxes were $82.7 million for September 2026 and $756.8 million for year-to-date through September 2026. Click here for the DGE press release for additional information. ###

###### **For Immediate Release: October 19, 2026** **Office of the Attorney General** – Jennifer Davenport, _Attorney General_ ###### **For Further Information:** **Media Inquiries-** Tara Oliver OAGpress@njoag.gov **TRENTON** — Attorney General Jennifer Davenport today announced measures the Department of Law and Public Safety (LPS) is taking during the 2026 general election to help ensure a fair and smooth-running election, to protect the right to vote, and to assist voters, election officials, and law enforcement in resolving any voting-related legal matters. The Attorney General also reminds eligible New Jerseyans of the three ways they can exercise the all-important right to vote: by mail, during early voting, and on Election Day. “Our democracy’s continued success depends on free, fair, and secure elections,” **said Attorney General Davenport.** “As eligible New Jerseyans cast their ballots – whether by mail, through secure drop boxes, or in person – we are working to ensure they are protected from any illegal interference with their right to vote.” **Three Options for Voting.** Eligible voters in New Jersey can vote in three ways: * **Voting by Mail:** LPS encourages individuals who choose to exercise their right to vote by mail to submit their ballots early to avoid any potential issues with the U.S. Postal Service and to ensure their votes are counted. Voters may also submit their vote-by-mail ballots in secure ballot drop boxes located across the State or deliver their vote-by-mail ballots in person to their county’s Board of Elections Office by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Voters can find contact information for their county election officials at https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/vote-county-election-officials.shtml. * **Early Voting:** From October 24 through November 1, voters who prefer to cast their ballots during in-person early voting may do so at any designated early-voting location in their home county. Voters can find their early voting locations at https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/vote-early-voting.shtml. * **Voting on Election Day:** Voters may visit their designated polling places to vote in person on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3. Voters can find their polling places at https://www.nj.gov/state/elections/vote-polling-location.shtml. **Protecting Elections.** The Attorney General and LPS play several roles in protecting New Jersey’s elections, from voter protection to election security.__ **Voter Protections.** LPS enforces the John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act, a set of enhanced protections that Governor Mikie Sherrill signed into law earlier this year. Among other things, the Act adds to existing protections against intimidation, discrimination, or unnecessary barriers to casting a ballot, and designates New Jersey’s Division on Civil Rights (DCR) to investigate and enforce the Act’s provisions. DCR will have a team available throughout both early voting and Election Day to take reports from the public regarding voting concerns. Voters may report to DCR any tips or voting problems involving intimidation, deceptive practices, harassment, or other unlawful interference or barriers to voting by calling **1-833-NJDCR4U (1-833-653-2748)**. Voters may also submit complaints by email at NJDCR4U@njcivilrights.gov. **Election Administration.** LPS’s Division of Law will have a team of dedicated attorneys available to provide around-the-clock legal advice to county elections officials during early voting and on Election Day. These attorneys work hard to ensure that elections run smoothly and that no eligible New Jerseyan is denied their lawful right to vote. **Election Security.** The Division of Criminal Justice monitors claims of improper electioneering, election fraud, and other criminal violations, and directs reports of criminal violations to law enforcement as needed. The Attorney General’s updated Guidance on the Role of Law Enforcement in Election Activities – issued to law enforcement officials across the State – ensures that officers are fully informed about the role that law enforcement plays with regard to elections, as well as the limits to that role. In addition to efforts from within LPS, the New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell within the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness will monitor for both cyber and physical election-security threats. **Federal Threats.** The Attorney General and LPS are also preparing for the possibility of federal interference with New Jersey’s elections. In addition to responding to any unlawful actions, the Attorney General will provide updated guidance as warranted at https://www.njoag.gov/resources/ag-guidelines. **Additional Information.** New Jersey voters may consult the LPS Voting Rights Resources webpage for answers to frequently asked questions regarding the right to vote in the Garden State. Outside of LPS, the New Jersey Voter Information Portal of the New Jersey Division of Elections provides resources on polling locations, secure ballot drop boxes, county-level election office contacts, and other useful elections-related information. Members of the public can direct election-related questions to their County Superintendent of Elections or County Board of Elections, and can call the State’s Voter Information and Assistance line toll-free at **1-877-NJVOTER****(1-877-658-6837)** for any voting questions or to report a voting problem. ###