New Jersey unions sue to extend voting hours, cite ‘operational issues’

Two major unions of New Jersey — American Civil Liberties Union and League of Women Voters– have filed a lawsuit against the Garden State authorities with an aim to extend the voting time on Tuesday citing “ongoing operational issues” at polling booths, according to US media reports.

Mercer County’s Superior Court judge has been requested to issue a legally binding order that would result in nearly 90 minutes of extension in the polling time. 

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The polls in New Jersey’s gubernatorial elections are scheduled to close off at 7 PM local time, with the projected time for most of the vote-counting being 9 PM. 

According to the tweet and lawsuit filed by the New Jersey unions, multiple polling stations in the state experienced breakdowns, delays and malfunctions.

According to reports from App.com, the complaint filed on Tuesday said, “Due to widespread technological issues reported throughout New Jersey, voters throughout New Jersey have been unable to cast their ballot at their local polling locations during these scheduled hours.”

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It added, “The late opening of numerous polling locations spread across the state and ongoing operational issues throughout the day has resulted in dozens of voters being turned away, asked to return later or leaving because of the long waits, resulting in their inability to cast a ballot.”

Meanwhile, Middletown– a strategic voter area in New Jersey– has reportedly recorded a higher than usual voter turnout on Tuesday. 

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Mayor Tony Perry, who is also up for reelection in a Township Committee, said he is optimistic and glad to see high voter turnout in the town.

According to reports from App.com, Perry said in a statement, “I am glad to see all the people exercising their right to vote and voicing their opinions. I feel very good and I’m looking for a victory tonight after all the accomplishments we have been able to achieve.”