New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill announced Tuesday that a significant software error in the state's Motor Vehicle System resulted in approximately 6,600 noncitizens being registered to vote. The error occurred between June 2023 and June 2024. Sherrill specified that these individuals indicated they were not U.S. citizens when applying for driver's licenses or identification cards, but the system proceeded with voter registration despite their responses.
While the error happened under the previous administration, Sherrill stated she has directed her administration's attorney to investigate and remove the improperly registered individuals from voter rolls. Preliminary analysis suggests that fewer than 400 of those affected by the error actually voted in past elections. The individuals were registered as Democrats, Republicans, and unaffiliated voters and were located throughout the state.
"I am appalled by the reckless failures that allowed this to happen and the lack of transparency shown by those in charge at the time," Sherrill said, emphasizing that the improper voting did not occur during her tenure.
Republican officials criticized the incident, with NJ Assembly Minority Leader John DiMaio asserting that it demonstrates Democrats' failure to secure elections. He suggested that voter ID laws could have helped correct such registration errors at the ballot box. The Republican National Committee also commented, noting that while Sherrill calls election integrity "fundamental to our democracy," cases of noncitizens on voter rolls and voting have been uncovered.
Previously, reports indicated that noncitizens had been registered to vote in New Jersey over several years. Some of these individuals, upon seeking naturalization, reported being registered by mistake. Documents reviewed by Fox News Digital showed noncitizens requesting removal from voter rolls, often citing that they were not citizens. Most of these individuals were registered as Democrats.