Armed poll watchers: New Jersey’s 1981 racist voter intimidation campaign is a cautionary tale ahead of 2026 midterms

An armed voter suppression campaign in New Jersey in 1981 finds echoes today in the Trump administration’s persistent efforts to suppress the vote and undermine trust in elections nationwide.

By: Mark Krasovic, Rutgers University - Newark, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: October 7, 2026

Words: 1,180

Last Updated: 1 week, 3 days ago

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By Mark Krasovic, Rutgers University - Newark

In the history of voter suppression in the United States, including attempts to stop Black and Latino people from voting, Republican tactics in the 1981 New Jersey gubernatorial race stand out.

That November, voters in several cities saw posters at polling places printed in bright red letters: “WARNING. This area is being patrolled by the National Ballot Security Task Force.”

About 200 patrols were …

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