New Jersey error registered 6,600 noncitizens; under 400 voted
Why it matters: The disclosure lands as Republicans push federal proof-of-citizenship rules and tighter voter-roll checks.
A software error in New Jersey's motor vehicle system improperly registered about 6,600 people to vote after they identified themselves as noncitizens while applying for driver's licenses or state IDs, Gov. Mikie Sherrill said Tuesday. A preliminary review found that fewer than 400 of those first-time registrations later cast ballots. Sherrill said the mistaken registrations occurred between June 2023 and June 2024, ordered the records removed, opened an investigation and moved to replace the vendor that ran the ID system. The case emerged as President Donald Trump and other Republicans press Congress to pass the SAVE America Act, which would impose stricter proof-of-citizenship requirements for voting.