Acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba: We’ll be watching for election crimes in N.J.

Acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba is warning New Jersey residents that her office will vigorously investigate and prosecute any Election Day crimes.

Ms. Habba said anyone who intimidates or bribes voters, buys or sells votes, impersonates a voter or changes ballots and tallies would be chased down by the FBI.

“It will do so regardless of who commits those crimes, and regardless of party or affiliation,” Ms. Habba said late Monday.

Ms. Habba issued the warning on the eve of a critical gubernatorial election in the Garden State.

Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill is hoping to turn out enough of the blue state’s base to defeat Republican Jack Ciattarelli, a businessman and former state assemblyman who is within striking distance in recent polls.

President Trump, who endorsed Mr. Ciattarelli, outperformed expectations in New Jersey last year, leading some to wonder if the state is turning into a battleground.

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Results of the New Jersey governor’s race and major contests in Virginia and New York City will offer a look at political trends nearly one year into Mr. Trump’s second term.

Ms. Habba’s warnings reflect Mr. Trump’s longstanding concerns about potential election chicanery. In 2020, he claimed Democrats rigged the election against him through ballot stuffing and other shenanigans.

“This office will investigate and prosecute any criminal activity related to the election process,” Ms. Habba said.

Mr. Trump selected Ms. Habba as the top federal prosecutor in New Jersey in March. She is serving in an acting capacity, and the validity of her tenure is the subject of a legal fight.

Previously, Ms. Habba served as Mr. Trump’s lawyer. She represented him in civil cases last year, including a lawsuit that accused Mr. Trump and his business of manipulating financial statements to gain favorable terms on loans and insurance.

A judge ruled against Mr. Trump, but an appeals court recently threw out the hefty penalty against the president and his business, forcing new proceedings to remedy the judgment amount.