Attorney General to Mayor: Keep cops out of campaign

As reports surface about ongoing irregularities and cheating, Attorney General Gurbir Grewal issued guidance that prohibits Mayor Wilda Diaz from using city police officers to boost her campaign in the upcoming election.

Diaz is running for her fourth term with competition from three councilmen who have worked closely with her and run on her ticket in previous years. A more serious challenge is being waged by local attorney Joseph B. Vas, whose father was defeated after 18 years in the office by Diaz in 2008.

Off-duty officers are allowed to be politcal volunteers, but Grewal said it is a criminal offense to wear a police uniform or carry a gun while doing so.

Perth Amboy police officers who are on-duty cannot enforce election law except at the direction of civilian board workers and they are prohibited from acting as a challenger for any candidate.

The mayor was widely criticized in 2012, when the then-police chief was photographed in uniform at her campaign headquarters counting votes with Greg Diaz, husband of the candidate.

The role of law enforcement personnel in any New Jersey campaign has been a sore spot since 1981, when Republicans employed off-duty police to engage in intimidation and voter suppression in primarily non-white, Democratic neighborhoods during the state’s 1981 gubernatorial election.

That cheating helped former Gov Thomas Kean win a contest decided by fewer than 1,500 ballots.

In 1981, recruited teams composed of armed off-duty police and sheriffs officers .

The Democratic National Committee sued the Republican National Committee for illegally harassing and intimidating voters in violation of the Voting Rights Act.

The consent decree barring such tactics was dismissed in Jan. 2018, and many Democrats believe Trump Republicans plan to revive similar tactics for this election.

“As Election Day approaches and voting has begun across the country, we already have begun to hear allegations of voter intimidation in other states,” Grewal said. “Today we clarify how law enforcement leaders across the state can best support local and state officials in maintaining the integrity of our voting system, and protecting the right to vote, in accordance with the highest ideals of our democracy.”

Diaz appointed her campaign manager as acting Captain in the police department, delaying a promotion to more qualified officers, but Grewal's order did not address that kind of political misconduct.

He said election officials may ask police to remove or arrest individuals who violate laws or disobey lawful commands, but officers are not allowed to take such actions at their own discretion.

Election officials — such as local board workers, election superintendents or New Jersey Department of State employees — administer voting law in New Jersey.

Grewal requested prosecutors in each of the state’s 21 counties appoint an assistant prosecutor as the point person on election-related matters.

So, we have some protection from intimidation and voter suppression plus some defense against being subjected to police state tactics, but devious politicians still have wide latitude.

The state Attorney General warned Mayor Wilda Diaz not to use city police officers for political advantage.

The Diaz Team councilmen -- Joel Pabon, Fernando Irizzary and Jelmin Caba -- are running interference for the mayor instead of protecting election integrity.

"It's apparent that voters need to hold Mayor Wilda Diaz accountable but time is running out," said Vas. "If you want to have a say in this democracy, you should return your vote by mail ballot today."