New Jersey governor: Software error improperly registered 6,600 noncitizens to vote

New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill announced Tuesday that a software error improperly registered about 6,600 individuals who indicated they were noncitizens while obtaining state IDs to vote in 2023 and 2024. The governor, a Democrat who took office this year, attributed the issue to a Motor Vehicle Commission system error.

Sherrill stated that a preliminary analysis suggests fewer than 400 of the improperly registered individuals actually cast ballots. She has ordered the removal of these erroneous voter registrations from the 2023-24 period and is replacing the vendor responsible for the system. An investigation into how the error occurred has also been launched.

"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 in a statement. Phil Murphy, a Democrat, was governor during the period the error occurred. The Associated Press is attempting to contact him or his representatives.

New Jersey is among several states that permit noncitizens to hold driver's licenses and other state-issued identification cards. This revelation comes amid ongoing assertions by former President Trump and other Republicans about the prevalence of noncitizen voting in U.S. elections, despite it being rare and a felony punishable by deportation when detected.

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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.