TRENTON — A software problem within New Jersey’s Motor Vehicle System mistakenly registered about 6,600 people who identified themselves as non-U.S. citizens, Gov. Mikie Sherrill announced Monday.
The registrations occurred between June 2023 and June 2024, before Sherrill took office, according to a statement released by the governor. The individuals had selected “no” when asked whether they were U.S. citizens while applying for driver’s licenses or identification cards but were registered despite their responses.
Sherrill said she ordered her chief counsel to investigate how the error occurred. She also directed officials to remove any people who were improperly placed on the voter rolls during that period.
A preliminary state review found that fewer than 400 people who were registered for the first time because of the error later voted, according to the governor. Sherrill said those voters were registered as Democrats, Republicans and unaffiliated voters and lived throughout the state.
The governor did not disclose which elections the individuals participated in or provide a county-by-county breakdown.
Sherrill said the recently appointed acting administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission has begun replacing the company responsible for operating the system.
The governor called the failure unacceptable and pledged accountability while emphasizing that the problem was discovered and publicly disclosed by her administration.
“New Jerseyans should have confidence that every eligible citizen can vote, every lawful vote will be counted, and every reasonable step will be taken to protect the integrity of our elections,” Sherrill said.
The governor’s complete statement is available at nj.gov/governor/news/2026/20260721a.shtml.
