NJ to regulate campaign spending on security as political violence mounts

DANA DIFILIPPO newjerseymonitor.com

As political violence becomes a growing threat and reality, New Jersey’s election watchdog has moved to officially allow candidates to use campaign money to pay for security services and devices.

The Election Law Enforcement Commission has historically permitted such expenses, but commission members voted earlier this month to propose regulations to codify and standardize the use of campaign funds to bolster security.

Under the proposed regulations, candidates and officeholders could use campaign cash to get bodyguards and other security services and devices, including cybersecurity software, alarm systems, security cameras, motion detectors, locks, lighting, fencing, gates, and doors. They could also use campaign funds to cover those expenses for the