Full Breakdown
New Jersey Voter-Roll Error Registers Thousands of Noncitizens
7/22/2026, 11:40:52 AM
Core Event
On July 21, Governor Mikie Sherrill announced that a software flaw in the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) automatically added roughly 6,600 individuals who had indicated on a keypad that they were not U.S. citizens to the state’s voter rolls between June 2023 and June 2024. A preliminary state analysis found that fewer than 400 of those registrants cast ballots in elections held after their erroneous registration. The governor ordered the immediate removal of the affected names and launched an independent investigation.
Background & Context
New Jersey, like 18 other states, permits noncitizens to obtain driver’s licenses and other state-issued IDs. The error occurred under the prior administration of Governor Phil Murphy. In early July, DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin sent a letter to New Jersey officials alleging the state could have as many as 35,152 noncitizens on its voter rolls—a figure not substantiated by state data. The claim was echoed by President Donald Trump in a televised address urging Congress to pass the SAVE America Act, which would require documentary proof of citizenship for voter registration nationwide.
Data & Statistics
- 6,600 noncitizens erroneously registered (Governor Sherrill).
- < 400 of those individuals voted (preliminary state analysis).
- New Jersey has about 6.9 million registered voters; the erroneous registrations represent < 0.1 % of the electorate.
- DHS claim: up to 35,152 noncitizens potentially registered in the state.
- Registrations were split among Democrats, Republicans and unaffiliated voters.
Official Statements & Responses
Governor Sherrill called the incident a “serious software error,” noted that the MVC vendor Idemia is being replaced, and said an outside firm, CSG Law, is conducting an independent review. DHS Secretary Mullin’s letter urged cooperation with a federal investigation, but the governor’s office reported no supporting data has been received. Idemia said responsibility for verifying voter eligibility rests with the New Jersey Division of Elections.
Criticism & Opposition
New Jersey Republican Party chairwoman Christine Hanlon called the incident “the tip of the iceberg,” arguing that the state’s voter-registration system requires a bipartisan investigation.
Verbatim Quotes
- “These individuals answered ‘no’ when asked on a keypad whether they were a U.S. citizen when applying for drivers’ licenses and identification cards, but through no fault of their own, the system registered them anyway,” — Governor Sherrill
- “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,” — Governor Sherrill
- “Last week I learned that a serious software error in New Jersey’s Motor Vehicle System led to the registration of roughly 6,600 people who indicated that they were not U.S. citizens between June 2023 and June 2024, almost three years prior to my taking office,” — Governor Sherrill
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
State officials cite the 6,600 figure based on MVC data, while DHS estimates 35,152 noncitizens could be registered. The DHS methodology has not been disclosed, creating a significant discrepancy. The state has not identified the specific elections in which the < 400 votes were cast, leaving an open question about any impact on outcomes.
What’s Next
- Removal of all erroneously added names from the voter rolls.
- Completion of the independent review by CSG Law; findings will be presented publicly.
- Transition to a new MVC vendor to prevent recurrence of the software flaw.
- Ongoing congressional debate over the SAVE America Act, which may be influenced by the New Jersey episode.
The investigation and corrective actions are expected to continue through the remainder of 2026, with the governor emphasizing transparency and accountability.
