New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill announced on Tuesday that a software error in the state’s Motor Vehicle Commission system resulted in approximately 6,600 noncitizens being registered to vote between June 2023 and June 2024. Of those, fewer than 400 cast ballots in elections. Sherrill, a Democrat who took office in January, ordered the removal of all improperly registered individuals from the voter rolls and launched an investigation into the error. She also replaced the vendor responsible for the system.
Immediate Action & Core Facts
Sherrill stated that the error occurred when individuals answered 'no' to the citizenship question during driver’s license or ID applications, but the system registered them to vote anyway. The governor emphasized that the issue happened under the previous administration of Phil Murphy, a fellow Democrat. She also noted that the affected voters were registered as Democrats, Republicans, and unaffiliated voters.
Deeper Dive & Context
Investigation and Accountability
Sherrill directed her chief counsel to investigate the error and ensure accountability. She expressed outrage over the failures that allowed the error to occur, stating that the new Motor Vehicle Commission administrator has begun replacing the vendor responsible for the system. The governor also criticized the Trump administration for attempting to 'weaponize elections for political gain.'
Political Reactions
Republicans, including Assembly Minority Leader John DiMaio, seized on the incident to argue for voter identification requirements in New Jersey. DiMaio stated that the error demonstrated the need for voter ID laws, which he said would prevent such issues. Democrats, meanwhile, have pushed back against such measures, arguing that they could disenfranchise eligible voters.
Broader Implications
The revelation comes amid ongoing debates over election integrity and the potential for noncitizen voting. President Donald Trump and other Republicans have asserted that voting by noncitizens is a significant issue, though evidence of widespread noncitizen voting remains rare. The Department of Homeland Security recently identified about 278,000 noncitizens registered to vote in federal elections across the country, with most cases in California, Nevada, and New Jersey.
Governor’s Response
Sherrill stressed that she is committed to ensuring the integrity of New Jersey’s elections. She noted that the error was fixed in June 2024, but she only learned about it recently. The governor also emphasized that the state would continue taking steps to ensure that only eligible citizens vote and that lawful votes are counted.