Governor Sherrill Orders Daily Voter Audits in New Jersey

Governor Mikie Sherrill ordered daily audits of voter registrations processed through the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission after a review identified 1,090 additional improper registrations. This action follows a July disclosure that a software error registered approximately 6,600 noncitizens between June 2023 and June 2024.

The latest findings include 750 records where eligible voters mistakenly selected the wrong age requirement on a keypad and 340 registrations from prison re-entry events dating back to 2016 involving individuals serving sentences for indictable offenses. The administration attributed these errors to the software vendor IDEMIA, though the company disputed the claim and argued the state failed to verify registrations. In response, the state is replacing IDEMIA and implementing daily record comparisons.

State Republicans, led by Senate Leader Anthony Bucco, criticized the administration's transparency and introduced legislation to end automatic voter registration at the Motor Vehicle Commission and require voter ID. Governor Sherrill's office defended the measures, with spokesman Steve Sigmund criticizing the Republican response in light of the 2020 election.