New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill announced Wednesday that the state has removed 5,100 noncitizens from its voter rolls after a software error allowed them to register improperly through the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC). The removals are part of an ongoing effort to address the discovery of thousands of ineligible registrations.
State officials confirmed that fewer than 400 of the erroneously registered individuals cast ballots in previous elections. The errors occurred between June 2023 and June 2024, during the administration of then-Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat. Sherrill stated that her administration has taken steps to correct the issue and protect voting rights for eligible residents.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) responded to the state’s actions, asserting that a higher number of potential noncitizen registrations may exist. DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin stated in a social media post that the agency had identified 35,000 potential noncitizen registrations in New Jersey, adding that this figure may only represent the beginning of the issue.
Sherrill’s office previously requested proof from the Trump administration regarding the DHS’s claim of 35,000 noncitizen registrations. The state has removed an additional 1,450 registrations from the rolls, with their status changed to “rejected” pending further review. Sherrill emphasized her administration’s commitment to election integrity while criticizing what she described as political motivations behind the federal response.
The software error, part of the state’s “motor voter” registration process, allowed noncitizens to register to vote through MVC offices. Sherrill’s office stated that the issue has been addressed and that the state is working to ensure only eligible voters remain on the rolls.
The DHS’s claim of 35,000 potential noncitizen registrations contrasts with the state’s findings, which identified 6,600 noncitizens on the rolls, including those removed or pending review. The discrepancy has fueled debate over election integrity and the accuracy of voter registration systems.