DOJ Pressures New Jersey Governor Over Voter Registration Mistake

WASHINGTON — The Department of Justice is insisting that New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill (D) retrieve important information regarding 6,600 noncitizens who were mistakenly registered to vote, including their identities.

On Tuesday, Sherrill attributed the error that allowed around 400 non-citizens to cast votes to a “serious software error” within the state’s vehicle system linked to the French tech firm IDEMIA.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, who oversees the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, sent a letter shortly after detailing the required information, which includes nationalities and registration dates for the 6,600 individuals.

“It is of utmost importance that the votes of the American people are not illegally diluted by the votes of non-citizens,” Dhillon noted in her correspondence with Sherrill.

The state has been given a five-day period to provide this information, as noncitizens are prohibited from voting in federal elections.

The Justice Department also mentioned shortcomings in an ongoing lawsuit against New Jersey regarding access to voter rolls.

“The Trump administration has a long history of weaponizing the Justice Department for political purposes and attempting to overturn election results,” stated Sean Higgins, Sherrill’s press secretary.

“Governor Sherrill has made it clear that we will use every legal tool available to protect the personal information of New Jerseyans.”

Representative Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) also reached out Wednesday to the General Services Administration and the Office of Management and Budget, urging a full review of IDEMIA’s federal contract.

IDEMIA manages systems such as TSA PreCheck and driver’s licensing programs across most states.

Sherrill mentioned that the state has engaged an external firm, CSG, to investigate the situation, aiming to understand the failures involved.

“These findings will help us comprehend the scope and nature of the issues we are facing,” she explained during a press conference.

Republican critics, including former President Trump, highlight the New Jersey situation as a significant case in favor of stricter election integrity measures.

Trump has been actively advocating for the Protecting American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE), which would mandate proof of citizenship to vote.

Recently, in a prime-time address, Trump claimed that about 35,152 individuals were incorrectly listed on voter rolls in New Jersey, although Sherrill stated that this figure has not been substantiated.

This issue surfaced while former Democratic Governor Phil Murphy was in office, prior to Sherrill’s tenure.

IDEMIA indicated on Tuesday that states are responsible for verifying voter data, following Sherrill’s criticisms directed at the vendors.

“IDEMIA’s role is to transmit information through vehicle systems,” the company stated. “Voter registration data is sent to the New Jersey State Department of Elections, which holds the ultimate responsibility for verifying eligibility.”

“The information provided by IDEMIA must still undergo verification and adjudication by the Department of Elections.”