Bomb Threat At Avenel Middle School Cleared, Voters Sent To Woodbine Avenue Elementary

WOODBRIDGE, NJ — In Woodbridge, the polling location at Avenel Middle School is closed because police investigated a bomb threat.

Although the threat has been cleared, for the rest of the day voters will be sent to Woodbine Avenue Elementary School on Woodbine Avenue in Avenel.

"Overnight, the County Clerk’s office received a threat via email that there was a bomb in Avenel Middle School," said Woodbridge Chief Law Enforcement Officer Brian Murphy. "Woodbridge Police were notified of the email at approximately 5 a.m. this morning."

The Woodbridge Fire Department and Middlesex County Sheriff's K-9 unit were called in and swept the school. No explosives were found.

"We were able to clear the building by 7 a.m.," said Murphy. "However, since polling opened at 6 a.m. the polling was moved to School #23 and will remain there the rest of the day."

A series of non-credible bomb threats were called in to polling places across the state Tuesday morning, Nov. 4, general election day for the New Jersey governor's race, Statehouse races and local elections.

According to New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin, bomb threats were received by email at polling places in Bergen, Essex, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean and Passaic counties.

Law enforcement investigated and determined there were no credible threats. As of 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, some of these polling locations already reopened to the public.

“Make no mistake – we will not tolerate any attempts to interfere with our elections," said Platkin. “Some of these polling locations have already reopened to the public. At others, voters will be directed to a nearby polling location to cast their ballot. Law enforcement officers have responded at each affected polling place, and they have worked swiftly to secure these polling locations and ensure the safety of every voter."