'Software error' led to almost 400 non-citizens voting in New Jersey, governor says

July 21, 2026

A software malfunction at New Jersey's motor vehicle department between June 2023 and June 2024 inadvertently registered approximately 6,600 non-citizens to vote after they had explicitly indicated they were not citizens, with under 400 of them ultimately casting ballots. Governor Mikie Sherrill announced the error occurred when applicants answering "no" to citizenship questions on keypads during driver's license applications were incorrectly registered anyway by the system. The revelation has intensified ongoing political tensions over election integrity, with Republicans citing it as justification for stricter federal voting legislation while the Democratic governor pledged transparency and accountability while criticizing former President Trump's election fraud claims.

Who is affected

Approximately 6,600 non-citizens who were incorrectly registered to vote
Fewer than 400 individuals who wrongly cast ballots
New Jersey residents (the registered voters included Democrats, Republicans, and Unaffiliated voters across different parts of the state)
Governor Mikie Sherrill's administration
The software vendor responsible for the motor vehicle department system
States dealing with the Trump administration's election administration policies

What action is being taken

Governor Sherrill's administration is investigating the software error
The vendor responsible for administering the ID system is being replaced
The Trump administration is pushing Congress to pass the SAVE America Act
The Department of Homeland Security is urging states to use an expanded national database to check voter rolls for noncitizens
The Trump administration is engaged in legal battles with several states over election administration and voter rolls

Why it matters

This incident is significant because it represents a concrete case of non-citizens being registered and voting, which fuels the ongoing national debate over election integrity and voting security. The error provides ammunition for advocates of stricter voter identification and proof-of-citizenship requirements, particularly as the Trump administration seeks to expand federal control over state-administered elections. The situation highlights tensions between state and federal authority over election management, and demonstrates vulnerabilities in automated voter registration systems that could undermine public confidence in electoral processes. It also illustrates the political divide over election security, with Republicans using it to support restrictive legislation while Democrats emphasize transparency and systemic fixes over conspiracy theories.

What's next

Governor Sherrill has vowed to address and fix the issue
The Trump administration may potentially withhold federal election funds to states that do not comply with demands to "scrub" voter rolls of ineligible voters
Congressional consideration of the SAVE America Act continues, with Republicans advocating for its passage
Congresswoman Laurel Lee has called for an investigation into the error

Read full article from source: BBC