New Jersey software glitch registered 6,600 noncitizens to vote, fewer than 400 cast ballots
New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill announced Tuesday that a software error in the state's Motor Vehicle Commission system registered approximately 6,600 noncitizens to vote between June 2023 and June 2024. The noncitizens had answered 'no' when asked on a keypad whether they were U.S. citizens while applying for driver's licenses and IDs, but the system registered them to vote anyway. Governor Sherrill, a Democrat who took office this year, said fewer than 400 of those individuals actually cast ballots, and noted these voters were registered as Democrats, Republicans, and unaffiliated—scattered across the state. She stated there is no evidence that any elections were swayed by the error. The governor has ordered the removal of affected voters from the rolls, launched an investigation, and is replacing the software vendor Idemia. The error occurred during the previous administration of Governor Phil Murphy.
Key facts
- 6,600 noncitizens were registered to vote in New Jersey between June 2023 and June 2024
- Fewer than 400 of the 6,600 noncitizens actually cast ballots
- The noncitizens had indicated they were not U.S. citizens when applying for driver's licenses or IDs
- Governor Sherrill said there is no evidence that any elections were swayed
- Those who voted were registered as Democrats, Republicans, and unaffiliated voters
- The error occurred during the previous Democratic administration of Governor Phil Murphy
- Sherrill is replacing software vendor Idemia and has ordered an investigation
- The White House and Republicans are citing the error to support the SAVE America Act
How different outlets framed it
Left-leaning coverage: Left-leaning outlets highlight that this was an unintentional system error with minimal actual voting impact, that the affected noncitizens were split among parties and were not responsible for the registration, and that experts say such administrative errors occur rarely. They note Governor Sherrill moved swiftly to correct the problem and protect the identities of affected individuals, while emphasizing that critics claim Trump's claims of mass noncitizen voting lack evidence and threaten election integrity.
Right-leaning coverage: Right-leaning outlets argue this validates concerns about noncitizen voting that Democrats have dismissed as impossible, use phrases like 'scandal' and 'admitted,' and suggest the governor's response constitutes damage control. They highlight Trump's push for stronger voting requirements and point to the software vendor's counterstatement blaming election officials. Some outlets frame this as evidence supporting the need for stricter election security measures.
Limits of this briefing
Some sources show the software vendor Idemia disputing blame and pointing to state election officials' responsibility for verification. Limited information is available on which specific elections the 400 individuals voted in or analysis of potential impacts.
Sources
- NBC News: 6,600 noncitizens were registered to vote in N.J. because of a 'software error,' governor says Centre
- CBS News: New Jersey says software error improperly registered 6,600 noncitizens to vote Centre
- CNN: 6,600 non-citizens mistakenly added to NJ voter rolls, and nearly 400 cast ballots, governor says Left
- Washington Times: New Jersey finds 6,600 noncitizens registered to vote and hundreds voting Right
- PJ Media: The Noncitizen Voter Scandal in New Jersey Just Got a Lot Worse Right