Republicans Question Voter Registration Error in New Jersey

Nineteen House Republicans are seeking answers from New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill regarding the registration of approximately 6,600 self-identified noncitizens who were able to vote. This issue arose from what has been termed a software failure.

The group expressed their concerns in a letter released on Friday. They stressed the importance of ensuring that only eligible American citizens are registered and allowed to vote. Their letter questioned whether the incident was merely a software glitch or something more deliberate.

Republicans are emphasizing the need for stronger election security measures, including voter ID laws and federal standards to confirm citizenship. This response comes amidst concerns that the incident highlights potential vulnerabilities in the election system.

The letter’s signatories included New Jersey Republican Representatives Jefferson Van Drew and Chris Smith. However, Representative Tom Kean Jr., another New Jersey Republican, did not participate.

The issue became public when Governor Sherrill announced it in a statement. She revealed that the error occurred within the state’s Motor Vehicle System, resulting in around 6,600 noncitizens being registered between June 2023 and June 2024. This happened long before her term in office began.

According to Sherrill, the individuals affected had indicated on a keypad that they were not U.S. citizens when applying for drivers’ licenses and IDs. Yet, their information was still processed incorrectly, registering them to vote.

Republicans have posed several questions to the state. These include inquiries about the testing procedures in place for maintaining voter rolls, details on the specific counties where the improper ballots were cast, and whether the administration would back voter-ID legislation.

The Republicans’ letter highlighted ongoing concerns they have raised for years. These include weaknesses in voter-registration systems and the risk posed by allowing noncitizens to vote in national elections, which contravenes federal law.

The group has requested a detailed response to their questions by August 21, 2026. Leo Briceno, a politics reporter for Fox News Digital, reported on these developments.