New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill is refusing to release detailed records on 6,600 noncitizens who were registered to vote due to a software error, despite pledging greater transparency and facing demands from the U.S. Department of Justice for disclosure.

Explainer Election Integrity in America: Safeguarding Voter Trust and Ballot Security

The dispute centers on whether the state must make public voter registration information about noncitizens, including those who voted, as federal officials and lawmakers press for answers on election integrity.

Sherrill announced last week that a software error in the state's Motor Vehicle System led to the registration of about 6,600 people who indicated they were not U.S. citizens between June 2023 and June 2024, with fewer than 400 of those individuals casting ballots. The governor said the error occurred under her predecessor, Phil Murphy, and ordered an investigation and removal of the affected individuals from the voter rolls. Her official statement described the incident as a "reckless failure" and criticized the previous administration for a lack of transparency.

DOJ and Lawmakers Demand Records

The U.S. Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division, led by Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, has requested the names, birth dates, nationalities, addresses, and registration details of the 6,600 noncitizens identified, as well as information on when and where those who voted cast ballots. Dhillon also asked the state to preserve all related records. The DOJ gave New Jersey five business days to comply, but Sherrill's administration has declined to provide the information, citing privacy concerns and an ongoing state investigation.

Alicia D’Alessandro, a senior adviser in the New Jersey Department of State, said the records would not be released while the investigation continues and could not specify when they might become available. The Federalist has filed an open records request for the documents.

Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-N.J., and 18 House Republicans sent a letter to Sherrill demanding answers about the registration error and what steps are being taken to secure voter rolls. Van Drew said, "If New Jersey’s system failed even when non-citizens openly identified themselves, then the public deserves to know what protections are in place."

If New Jersey’s system failed even when non-citizens openly identified themselves, then the public deserves to know what protections are in place.

Sherrill has defended her decision not to release the records, arguing that turning over personally identifying data to the federal government could risk misuse. She told Democracy Docket, "We are not in the practice of turning over this kind of personally identifying data over to the federal government because we have seen them weaponize it, I’ve seen it personally."

"This failure didn’t occur under my watch, but accountability starts now. I am taking action to prevent anything like it from occurring in the future and make sure those responsible are held accountable."

Election law expert Hans von Spakovsky, cited by The Federalist, argued that New Jersey's refusal to release the records may conflict with transparency provisions in the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) and the Help America Vote Act (HAVA). The Election Assistance Commission notes that voter registration forms and lists are generally subject to public records laws, though they cannot include information on how individuals voted.

Sherrill stated that the noncitizens were registered as Democrats, Republicans, and unaffiliated voters, but has not provided specific numbers or party breakdowns. She said the registrations were scattered across the state and that the new Motor Vehicle Commission administrator is replacing the vendor responsible for the software error.

Broader Election Integrity Concerns

The incident has intensified debate over election security and voter registration practices in New Jersey. Von Spakovsky highlighted that the 6,600 noncitizens were identified because they checked "noncitizen" on their registration forms, raising questions about how many others may have falsely claimed citizenship. He and other critics have called for passage of the SAVE America Act, which would require proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote.

Sherrill has emphasized her commitment to election integrity and accountability, while also accusing former President Donald Trump of spreading "bizarre conspiracy theories about fraud with no evidence." She maintains that her administration is taking steps to prevent future errors and ensure responsible parties are held accountable.

The state has not indicated when the investigation will conclude or when, if ever, the requested records might be released.

The Bottom Line

  • Gov. Mikie Sherrill is withholding records on 6,600 noncitizens registered to vote, citing an ongoing investigation.
  • The DOJ, led by Harmeet Dhillon, has formally requested detailed voter data and set a five-day deadline for release.
  • Rep. Jeff Van Drew and House Republicans are demanding answers on election safeguards and the scope of the registration error.