New Jersey Noncitizen Voter Registration Error: What Happened & Why It Matters

The Software Glitch\n\nThe error originated from New Jersey's MVC system between June 2023 and June 2024 — before Gov. Sherrill took office. Individuals who indicated they were not U.S. citizens were still processed and added to voter rolls due to a "serious software error." Sherrill has blamed the former administration of Gov. Phil Murphy and the software vendor IDEMIA, which she has since replaced.\n\nIDEMIA, however, fired back, stating that the ultimate responsibility for verifying voter eligibility rests with the state Division of Elections, not the software provider.\n\n### Political Reactions\n\nDemocrats largely acknowledged the gravity of the mistake but pushed back against the narrative that it signals systemic voter fraud. Sen. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) called for accountability and better election technology, including paper trails and software reviews. Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) noted that noncitizen voting "remains extremely rare."\n\nRepublicans have seized on the issue, demanding an independent investigation and using it to push for nationwide voter ID requirements. House Republicans confronted Sherrill directly over the matter.\n\nThe DOJ formally requested the names and addresses of the 400 noncitizens who cast ballots. Sherrill refused, stating the Trump administration was seeking to "weaponize" the data. The DOJ countered by reminding the state that "it is illegal for any noncitizen to vote in a federal election."\n\n### The Save America Act\n\nThe White House is using the New Jersey error to push for the Save America Act, federal legislation that would require proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote. The bill has become a central point of contention, with most House Democrats opposing the current version, which they argue goes beyond a simple voter ID requirement by also restricting mail-in ballots.\n\n### Historical Context\n\nVoter roll errors are not new to New Jersey. The state has long had a reputation for containing outdated or inaccurate registrations, including names of deceased individuals. However, the scale of this specific incident — and the direct refusal to cooperate with federal investigators — is drawing heightened scrutiny.

How did noncitizens end up on New Jersey's voter rolls?\nA: A software error at the Motor Vehicle Commission between June 2023 and June 2024 caused individuals who indicated they were not U.S. citizens to be registered to vote anyway. The glitch has since been addressed.\n\nQ: How many noncitizens actually voted?\nA: Gov. Sherrill estimates that fewer than 400 of the 6,600 improperly registered individuals cast ballots.\n\nQ: Why is Gov. Sherrill refusing to give the DOJ the names of those who voted?\nA: Sherrill stated she does not want the information to be "weaponized" by the Trump administration and has launched her own investigation instead.\n\nQ: What is the Save America Act?\nA: A proposed federal law that would require proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote, aimed at preventing noncitizen voting. It remains a politically divisive bill.\n\nQ: Does this indicate widespread voter fraud?**\nA: Democratic lawmakers say no, arguing that the error was a software glitch, not a coordinated fraud effort, and that noncitizen voting remains extremely rare nationally.

Do you think the federal government should have access to state voter roll data when errors like this occur? Or should states retain full control of their elections? Let us know your thoughts!\n\n> Share this article with others who need to stay ahead of this important election integrity story.\n\nShare on Twitter/X · Share on LinkedIn · Share on Reddit\n\n### Sources\n\n- Fox News — "Democrats concede NJ voter-roll failure was ‘horrible’ — but reject broader fraud fears"\n- CBS News New York — "N.J. Gov. Mikie Sherrill refuses to hand over information to DOJ on 6,600 noncitizens who registered to vote"