Software Error Leads to Incorrect Voter Registrations in New Jersey
A “significant software error” within New Jersey’s motor vehicle system has caused 6,600 individuals, who identified as non-citizens, to be inadvertently registered to vote, according to the state’s governor.
Governor Mikie Sherrill, a Democrat, confirmed this information in a statement released on Tuesday. She noted that the error was detected last week and resulted in the vendor responsible being removed from the voter rolls.
These individuals had been categorized as Democrats, Republicans, and independent voters and were located across various regions in the state. “They were asked if they were U.S. citizens when applying for driver’s licenses or ID cards, and they replied ‘no.’ But unfortunately, they were still entered into the system, which was not their fault,” Sherrill explained.
The registrations occurred between June 2023 and June 2024, a period falling prior to her administration. “This situation arose under the former administration, and as soon as I became aware of it, I instructed the Chief Counsel to investigate further,” she added. “I also mandated the removal of anyone mistakenly added to the voter rolls during that timeframe.”
Sherrill expressed her dismay over the oversight, calling it a “reckless failure” that led to erroneous registrations. “Our initial analysis suggests that fewer than 400 people were incorrectly registered due to these errors,” she commented. “They were distributed as Democrats, Republicans, and independents throughout the state.”
She also criticized the previous administration, led by fellow Democrat Phil Murphy.
In response to potential backlash from Republicans concerning voter integrity, Sherrill asserted, “I assure you we will protect the election process, especially as the Trump administration seeks to manipulate it for political advantage. Let’s be clear: Donald Trump has no credibility on election integrity. For over ten years, he has cast doubt on the legitimacy of our elections, attempted to overturn a fair election, and promoted an attack on the Capitol when voters’ choices weren’t accepted.”
Trump has proposed the SAVE America Act, which would require voters to present a photo ID before registration. A White House social media account responded by highlighting that the American Rescue Act would mandate states to verify voter eligibility through the USCIS/DHS SAVE system, a measure that New Jersey currently does not utilize.
