The basics:

• NJ MVC software error improperly registered about 6,600 noncitizens to vote
• State launches independent investigation, voter roll review
• Fewer than 400 affected individuals believed to have voted
• DOJ also opens investigation into the incident

Gov. Mikie Sherrill announced Monday that a software error in New Jersey’s Motor Vehicle Commission system improperly registered roughly 6,600 people who indicated they were not U.S. citizens to vote between June 2023 and June 2024.

The move prompted an investigation and the removal of erroneous registrations from the voter rolls. It also set off an immediate political fight over election security as the 2026 midterm elections approach and the Trump administration intensifies its focus on voter registration and election integrity.

In a statement, Sherrill said, “Last week I learned that a serious software error in New Jersey’s Motor Vehicle System led to the registration of roughly 6,600 people who indicated that they were not U.S. citizens … almost three years prior to my taking office.”

According to the governor, the affected individuals “answered ‘no’ when asked on a keypad whether they were a U.S. citizen when applying for drivers’ licenses and identification cards.” Through no fault of their own, “the system registered them anyway.”

Sherrill said she immediately directed her administration to investigate and correct the problem.

“Currently, the Division of Elections is working to ensure anyone who is illegally registered is removed from the voter rolls,” the governor said during a statehouse press conference Tuesday.

Sherrill also noted initial analysis shows that fewer than 400 newly registered individuals voted in an election due to this software error. “They were registered as Democrats, Republicans, and the major unaffiliated, and were scattered across the state,” she added.

‘Unacceptable’

“But let me be clear: this entire situation is unacceptable,” she said. “It’s unacceptable that the vendor released software with such a glaring error. It’s unacceptable that the MVC took a year to get this issue fixed. And it’s unacceptable that no one in the previous administration brought this to light, demanded accountability, or took action when it happened years ago.”

She said her administration has begun replacing the software vendor, Idemia. It has also started notifying affected individuals and reviewing safeguards to prevent another failure.

Asked whether the erroneous registrations affected election outcomes, Sherrill said, “We have no evidence at this time that any elections were swayed.” She also rejected suggestions that the incident justified ending automatic voter registration or driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants.

“I see no reason why our state cannot run an election system well and have a computer program that can operate well,” she said. “This is just to me not a problem with some of our laws. It’s a problem with accountability. It’s a problem with making sure government is effective and running well.”

Lt. Gov. and Secretary of State Dale Caldwell said restoring confidence in the election system is the administration’s priority.

“We’ve just recently learned some people in the previous administration failed to protect that responsibility. We can’t change that, but it’s on us to understand what went wrong and fix it for the future. We are actively working to ensure that no ineligible voters are left on the rolls.

We will safeguard your votes, and we will maintain your confidence.
– Lt. Gov. and Secretary of State Dale Caldwell

“The focus of this administration has always been ardently protecting and defending New Jersey’s elections and the eligible voters participating in them,” Caldwell said. “We will make sure that every eligible voter can cast a ballot, and only eligible voters. We will safeguard your votes, and we will maintain your confidence.”

Pointing fingers

MVC acting Chair and Chief Administrator Rosalie Johnson said the agency is replacing the software vendor responsible for the error.

“We are actively working with a new vendor to ensure this type of technical malfunction does not happen in the future,” said Johnson. She expects to launch with the new vendor next year. “In addition, I am working now, today, to create additional safeguards that will be reviewing this data that we send over to Division of Elections on a regular basis to check for any system errors.”

We are actively working with a new vendor to ensure this type of technical malfunction does not happen in the future.
– Rosalie Johnson, Motor Vehicle Commission acting chair and chief administrator

Sherrill added, “We have hired an independent firm, CSG [Law], to conduct this investigation. We have asked them to do so with all possible haste, and they have already been working.”

Idemia released a statement to the New Jersey Globe defending itself. The company instead shifted blame to the Department of State and Division of Elections.

“IDEMIA works with the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, and has for more than 40 years, to support the process through which eligible individuals may indicate their interest in registering to vote when applying for or renewing a driver’s license or state-issued identification card.

“IDEMIA’s role is to transmit information through the motor vehicle system. The voter registration information is transmitted to the New Jersey Department of State, Division of Elections, which is ultimately responsible for verifying eligibility to vote. Information submitted by IDEMIA must still be validated and adjudicated by the Division of Elections.”

A shared responsibility

Not surprisingly, the announcement drew a range of responses from lawmakers. Democrats applauded Sherrill for her transparency and taking action. Meanwhile, Republicans blasted Democrats.

Senate President Nicholas Scutari, D-22nd District, said, “A healthy democracy depends on the security of our voter registration systems and the stewardship of the individuals entrusted with ensuring our elections are free, fair, and accessible. It also depends on public trust, and Gov. Sherrill deserves credit for being transparent about these failures, taking swift action to launch an independent investigation of what went wrong, and pledging to hold anyone responsible to account.

“Once the independent investigation is complete, the Senate will review its findings and identify any necessary next steps.”

Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, D-19th District, said, “The integrity of our elections is a responsibility we all share, which is why I commend the governor and the administration for being forthright with the people of New Jersey about this error, and for taking the immediate step to hire a respected independent law firm to investigate and provide recommendations on how to prevent an error like this from ever happening again.

“New Jerseyans deserve a thorough investigation that delivers accountability for those responsible, and the Assembly will await the outcome of the investigation before taking further action.”

‘A … long history of administrative failures’

Republican legislative leaders lambasted Democrats over the error. They argue it validates long-standing GOP concerns about New Jersey’s election system.

Senate Republican Leader Anthony Bucco, R-25th District, said, “The news that approximately 6,600 non-citizens were identified on New Jersey’s voter rolls following a Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) software error raises serious concerns that demand a transparent and independent investigation. The fact that New Jersey has been allowing undocumented immigrants to obtain a driver’s license since 2020 requires the investigation be extended at least from the onset of this law, if not longer.

[The voter registration news] raises serious concerns that demand a transparent and independent investigation.
– Senate Republican Leader Anthony Bucco, R-25th District

“This situation underscores the consequences of policy decisions that Republicans warned about from the beginning. Over six years ago, Trenton Democrats chose to allow undocumented immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses despite our opposition, and they placed voter registration in the hands of the MVC — an agency with a long history of administrative failures.”

Bucco added, “We will await the results of the investigation, but New Jersey residents deserve assurance that our voter registration system is accurate, secure, and worthy of their trust.”

John DiMaio, R-23rd District, serves as Assembly Republican leader. “New Jersey Republicans have been sounding the alarm for years that the automatic voter registration process at the MVC was highly problematic. In 2020 and again in 2025, voters were disenfranchised after the system changed party affiliations. When we questioned MVC officials, they refused to disclose how they safeguard the process,” DiMaio said. “Trenton Democrats have continued to undermine public trust in our elections, and it’s time for change.

“Until citizens are 100% assured that not one illegal resident will be mistakenly or intentionally registered to vote, the automatic process should be immediately halted. U.S. citizens should still be permitted to register to vote at the MVC, but not through the flawed computer system.”

DOJ joins in

The dispute unfolds as voter registration and election integrity emerge as major priorities for the Trump administration ahead of the 2026 midterms. The president even delivered a recent prime-time speech on the very subject.

During her press conference, Sherrill said New Jersey has requested supporting information from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security regarding separate federal claims about non-citizens on the state’s voter rolls.

Watch Gov. Sherrill’s news conference here:

She pledged to investigate any credible evidence while continuing the state’s own independent review of the MVC software error. But added, “As the Trump administration tries to weaponize elections for political gain, I am ensuring we protect our elections. Let me be clear: Donald Trump has zero credibility on the issue of election integrity.”

Following the announcement from Sherrill, the Department of Justice announced it is investigating the situation, as well. It asked the Sherrill administration to provide, within five days, information about the 6,600 individuals identified.

Asked what accountability would look like when the investigation is complete, Sherrill said transparency is the first step but not the last.

“It starts with being very transparent. So that people know what’s going on. And know that they can expect us to get to the bottom of it,” she said. “Should there be anyone that is identified that is still working in this space that has not done the right thing, I will hold them personally accountable for this.” Sherrill added, “Public service is a privilege, and it is a responsibility. Because when you don’t act in the way you are hired to act, then people can get harmed.”

A representative for former Gov. Phil Murphy declined to comment.