MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Clerk’s Office has launched a new artificial intelligence-powered virtual assistant that provides residents with around-the-clock access to information about services offered by the office.

Available at all hours through the Morris County Clerk’s website, the virtual assistant answers questions about passports, property records, elections, business registrations, notary public services, veterans’ records and other functions of the Clerk’s Office. The tool is designed to improve access to information, reduce wait times and help residents quickly find answers to common questions.

The Morris County Clerk’s Office worked with TechForGov and Arlington Analytics to plan, develop and implement the virtual assistant. The system is designed to provide reliable, easy-to-understand information while complementing the personalized customer service provided by Clerk’s Office staff.

The Morris County Clerk’s Office is believed to be the first county clerk’s office in New Jersey to launch a resident-facing artificial intelligence-powered virtual assistant, representing a significant step in the modernization of county government services.

“Our mission has always been to make government more accessible and responsive to the people we serve,” said Clerk Ann F. Grossi. “This technology allows us to provide information quickly while continuing to deliver the personal service our residents expect. Whether someone needs a passport, is searching property records, or has questions about elections, they deserve quick, reliable access to information. This new virtual assistant helps us deliver exactly that.”

Himanshu Goil, founder and chief executive officer of TechForGov, said harnessing artificial intelligence in local government is about improving the resident experience. “We are honored to partner with the Morris County Clerk’s Office on this innovative initiative,” Goil said. “By combining advanced artificial intelligence with trusted government information, we’re helping residents receive accurate answers quickly while allowing staff to focus on more complex and personalized services.”

“I appreciate Clerk Grossi’s forward-looking leadership and commitment to modernizing county government,” said Michael Stanzilis, chief executive officer of Arlington Analytics. “This initiative demonstrates how artificial intelligence can enhance, not replace, public service by making government more accessible, responsive and efficient. Morris County is setting an example that other local governments can follow to embrace responsible innovation.”

The virtual assistant reflects the Morris County Clerk’s Office’s ongoing commitment to using technology to improve public service while maintaining high standards of accuracy, transparency and customer service.

The Morris County Clerk’s Office provides a wide range of public services, including passport acceptance, property records management, election administration, business registrations, notary public services, veterans’ records and archival preservation. TechForGov is a government technology company specializing in secure artificial intelligence solutions for public agencies. Arlington Analytics is a government transformation consulting firm that helps public sector organizations leverage emerging technologies, data and artificial intelligence.

TRENTON — Governor Mikie Sherrill on Tuesday provided an update on the state’s response to a software error at the Motor Vehicle Commission that improperly registered approximately 6,600 individuals to vote between June 2023 and June 2024, during the previous administration.

Sherrill said her administration has moved on multiple fronts over the past week, including notifying those affected directly and beginning the process of correcting the voter rolls. The Motor Vehicle Commission has mailed letters to the impacted individuals, and the state has launched a website, nj.gov/MVCsystemerror2023, with answers to frequently asked questions, information about the registration review process, and support resources.

The Division of Elections has begun removing more than 4,500 individuals who were registered solely as a result of the software error, Sherrill said. The remaining registrations will be referred to county election officials for further review to ensure no lawfully registered voters are disenfranchised.

Sherrill said the extra review is necessary because initial findings indicate some of the individuals may be citizens, a pattern she said has occurred in other states following similar clerical and administrative errors.

“Just as we have an obligation to remove everyone who is not eligible to vote, we also have a responsibility to protect the voting rights of eligible New Jersey citizens and ensure no one is improperly removed from the rolls,” Sherrill said.

Sherrill said her administration has been transparent about the issue since it was discovered, and drew a contrast with the response from former President Donald Trump and other Republicans, whom she accused of trying to use the issue to target the affected individuals and advance voter suppression efforts.

“New Jerseyans should have confidence that every eligible citizen can vote, every lawful vote will be counted, and their government will act quickly and transparently when problems arise,” Sherrill said, adding that her administration will continue providing public updates as the investigation moves forward.

MORRIS COUNTY — Two Jefferson Township residents face multiple charges following a motor vehicle stop in Denville, according to a release from the Denville Police Department.

Officers stopped a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed on Route 10 East at approximately 12:00 a.m. on July 22, after observing a motor vehicle violation. During the stop, officers said they located a controlled dangerous substance and drug paraphernalia inside the vehicle.

The driver, Brittany Muccia, 34, Landing, was placed under arrest and charged with:

• Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
• Failure to Wear a Seat Belt
• Operating a Motor Vehicle While in Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance
• Careless Driving

The passenger, Christopher Lininger, 28, also of Landing, was found to have an active warrant for his arrest, issued by Ewing Township Municipal Court in the amount of seven hundred fifty dollars. Lininger was additionally charged with:

• Obstruction of Justice
• Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Following processing, Muccia was released pending a future court appearance in Morris County Superior Court. Lininger was also released on the new charges before being turned over to the custody of the Ewing Township Police Department on the outstanding warrant.

Editor’s Note: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and/or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

MORRIS COUNTY — A Randolph man was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated following a motor vehicle stop in Denville, according to Denville Police.

Christian Viera, 31, was stopped by officers at approximately 4:17 a.m. on July 25 after police observed motor vehicle violations, according to a police report. During the course of the stop, officers determined Viera was driving while intoxicated.

Viera was placed under arrest and issued summonses for:

• Driving While Intoxicated
• Careless Driving
• Reckless Driving
• Improper Use of High Beams
• Failure to Provide Insurance Card

Viera was processed and released with a future court date in Denville Township Municipal Court.

Editor’s Note: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and/or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.