New Jersey accidentally registered 6,600 noncitizens to vote years ago, governor says
New Jersey Voter Registration Error: 6,600 Noncitizens Affected
Tyunews.com – State officials confirmed that New Jersey accidentally registered 6 600 noncitizens to vote following a software malfunction in the Motor Vehicle System. Governor Mikie Sherrill revealed the discovery on Tuesday, explaining that the error occurred between June 2023 and June 2024—nearly three years before she took office. The administration is now working to remove these residents from official voter records.
Preliminary findings indicate that fewer than 400 of the incorrectly registered individuals cast ballots in elections. These voters represented all political affiliations, including Democrats, Republicans, and unaffiliated citizens. While some may have participated in elections since their registration, Sherrill stated there is no evidence that any race outcomes were affected.
DHS Correspondence Sparks Investigation
The announcement came shortly after a letter from the Department of Homeland Security. Secretary Markwayne Mullin wrote to New Jersey and three other states, suggesting each might contain tens of thousands of noncitizen voters. However, the methodology behind those estimates remained unclear. DHS claimed New Jersey could have as many as 35,152 non-citizen voters on its rolls.
Sherrill addressed the DHS correspondence during a press conference, noting that the agency's figures appear disconnected from New Jersey's own investigation. The state has requested supporting documentation from the Trump administration but has yet to receive a response.
Understanding the Technical Glitch
Last week I learned that a serious software error in New Jersey's Motor Vehicle System led to the registration of roughly 6,600 people who indicated that they were not U.S. citizens between June 2023 and June 2024, almost three years prior to my taking office.
The governor provided further details about the malfunction. Applicants for driver's licenses and identification cards encountered a keypad question asking whether they were U.S. citizens. Those who selected "no" were nonetheless registered to vote due to the system failure. The issue occurred without any fault on the part of the applicants.
These individuals answered 'no' when asked on a keypad whether they were a U.S. citizen when applying for drivers' licenses and identification cards, but through no fault of their own, the system registered them anyway.
Corrective Measures in Progress
Sherrill has directed several measures to address the situation. An independent investigation will examine how the error occurred. The state is also removing improperly registered residents from voter lists. Additionally, the newly appointed Motor Vehicle Commission administrator is working to replace the vendor responsible for operating the defective system.
The governor further committed to sharing the state's complete findings once the investigation concludes. Officials are taking precautions to safeguard the privacy of noncitizens who were registered by mistake, ensuring their immigration status remains protected.
IDEMIA's Response and Political Context
IDEMIA, the technology company operating the problematic system, issued a statement defending its role. The firm noted it has partnered with the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission for over four decades. IDEMIA explained that its function involves transmitting voter registration data to the state's Division of Elections, which holds ultimate responsibility for confirming voting eligibility.
IDEMIA's role is to transmit information through the motor vehicle system. The voter registration information is transmitted to the New Jersey Department of State, Division of Elections, which is ultimately responsible for verifying eligibility to vote. Information submitted by IDEMIA must still be validated and adjudicated by the Division of Elections.
During her press conference, Sherrill challenged suggestions that this discovery supports claims made by the Trump administration regarding voter fraud. She criticized the former president's track record on election integrity issues.
Let me be clear: Donald Trump has zero credibility on the issue of election integrity. For the past 10 years, he's cried wolf and peddled bizarre conspiracy theories about fraud with no evidence.
The governor's remarks came as New Jersey continues to investigate the scope of the registration error and determine appropriate next steps for affected residents.