Gov. Mikie Sherrill disclosed that roughly 6,600 people who were not eligible to vote were added to voter lists because of a “serious software error” at the New Jersey DMV. The statement — and subsequent media reports — describe the problem as producing inaccurate New Jersey noncitizen voter rolls for registrations processed between June 2023 and June 2024.
The state also reported that “fewer than 400 individuals” among those registrations appear to have cast ballots. Officials say verification is ongoing and that the figures come from the state’s internal review rather than an independent audit.
New Jersey noncitizen voter rolls: the official report
Sherrill’s office attributed the issue to a software malfunction in the New Jersey DMV that improperly transferred some noncitizen records into the voter-registration database.
State officials provided the rough totals — about 6,600 affected registrations — and said they removed the records from the rolls after the error was identified. The governor’s disclosure links the timing of the malfunction to processing that occurred from June 2023 through June 2024.
The administration says it is reviewing internal controls and the data flows between DMV systems and the voter-registration system to prevent future errors.
How many noncitizens actually voted
The governor’s announcement says “fewer than 400 individuals” among the improperly registered group appear to have voted, but officials emphasize that this is an initial, internal count.
Confirming whether ineligible ballots were cast requires cross-referencing DMV and voter databases, checking whether ballots were challenged or cured under state law, and, where necessary, case-by-case legal review.
State officials said they will provide more detail as the verification process continues and cautioned against treating preliminary counts as final findings.
Political reactions and media coverage
The disclosure prompted immediate partisan reaction. Media coverage, including a Fox News report summarizing the announcement, highlighted criticism from conservative outlets and from supporters of former President Donald Trump.
CNN anchor Jake Tapper and others discussed the implications on-air, and the episode has been cited by members of the Trump administration and Republican lawmakers as evidence supporting tougher election measures.
Republican backers referenced the SAVE America Act — a package of election-related proposals promoted by Donald Trump and allies — while opponents argue such legislation could restrict access for eligible voters. The New Jersey case has been used in those public debates, though lawmakers on both sides note verification is still underway.
Election security and technical lessons
The episode underscores that technical faults, not only intentional misconduct, can create inaccuracies in voter rolls. Election-security experts point to system integration, data validation and robust testing as essential where DMV records feed voter-registration systems.
Near-term steps states commonly take include audits of recent registrations, improved error logging, and temporary holds or alerts when automated transfers show anomalies.
Longer-term measures discussed by officials and experts include updating legacy software, adding independent verification for system changes, and increasing manual checks when automated processes report exceptions — all aimed at reducing the risk that incorrect records enter the voter rolls.
Source attribution and next steps
The primary public account is a disclosure from Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s office; Fox News and other outlets reported on the announcement and the political reaction. The Fox News report is linked below.
State officials say they will complete verification, report audit results publicly, and may refer any potential illegal-voting matters to appropriate authorities for review. Congress and federal policymakers may cite the episode in debates over bills like the SAVE America Act, but any legislative outcome will depend on congressional action and further investigation.
Readers should watch for independent audits, a detailed state data release, and any formal actions by prosecutors or election boards as the verification process proceeds.
Source: Fox News reporting on the governor’s disclosure.
FAQ
What did New Jersey say happened to the voter rolls?
Governor Mikie Sherrill said a “serious software error” at the New Jersey DMV led to roughly 6,600 people being improperly added to voter rolls between June 2023 and June 2024. The state removed those registrations and is verifying the impact.
How many noncitizens were registered and how many voted?
The governor’s office reported about 6,600 improperly registered people and said that “fewer than 400 individuals” among them appear to have voted. Officials call these numbers preliminary pending further verification.
Will this lead to new election security laws like the SAVE America Act?
Some Republican lawmakers and members of the Trump administration have pointed to the disclosure to press for the SAVE America Act. Whether it prompts federal legislation depends on congressional action and the outcome of further investigations.
