Official Site of The State of New Jersey1. What happened with the MVC and voter registration?
A recently discovered error in a vendor's software revealed that approximately 6,600 people were improperly registered to vote between June 2023 and June 2024 after completing a transaction at the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission. These individuals indicated they were not United States citizens, and they did not attest to being eligible to vote during this transaction. But the software erroneously transmitted these individuals for voter registration processing regardless.
This software error occurred under the prior Administration, from June 2023 to June 2024. When Governor Mikie Sherrill learned of the error, she directed her Chief Counsel to launch an independent investigation to determine how this error occurred. The investigation is ongoing.
The Motor Vehicle Commission is in the process of replacing the vendor and notifying the individuals impacted by this software error. The notification will state that MVC's records show that the individual answered on a pin pad when asked whether they were a United States citizen.
The New Jersey Division of Elections is working to ensure that anyone who was erroneously registered as a result of the software issue is taken off the voter rolls. This review may be coordinated with the County Commissioners of Registration as appropriate. The Division of Elections will work to notify affected individuals of their registration status.
A preliminary analysis shows fewer than 400 newly registered individuals voted in an election because of the error. There is no evidence at this time that those votes impacted the outcome of an election. The individuals were registered as Democrats, Republicans, and Unaffiliated, and were scattered across the State.
The State of New Jersey is committed to ensuring the integrity of our elections and expanding access to our democracy for all eligible New Jerseyans. We are also committed to ensuring the privacy and safety of all New Jerseyans from threats, harassment, and voter intimidation.
2. I received a letter from the MVC saying that MVC’s software error affected me. What should I do?
To be eligible to vote in New Jersey:
- You must be a United States citizen;
- You must be a resident of the New Jersey county in which you seek to vote for 30 days before the election; and
- You must not be serving a sentence of incarceration as the result of a conviction for any indictable offense under the laws of this or another state or of the United States.
U.S. citizens who are at least 17 years old can register but cannot vote until reaching the age of 18, except that they may vote in a primary election if they are 17 and will be 18 at the time of the following general election.
If you are not a U.S. citizen, you are NOT eligible to vote. The Division of Elections, in coordination with the County Commissioners of Registration as necessary, is working to notify individuals and ensure that any individuals erroneously registered as a result of the software error are taken off the voter rolls. If you are not a United States citizen and you believe you have mistakenly been registered to vote, you should contact the Division of Elections or the Commissioner of Registration in your county (either the Superintendent of Elections or the Board of Elections in counties without a Superintendent) and request that your name be taken off the voter rolls. County information can be found here.
If you are a U.S. citizen and you meet the other qualifications for voter eligibility, you may register and vote. To do so, you must complete a Voter Registration Application and mail or deliver the Voter Registration Application to the County Commissioner of Registration or Superintendent of Elections for your county. The registration deadline to vote in the next election is 21 days prior to election day.
New Jersey residents who were erroneously registered may choose to seek legal services. Resources are listed below.
3. Am I registered to vote?
You can check if you are registered to vote here:
NJ DOS - Division of Elections - Voter Search.
4. Will this mistake affect my ability to become a U.S. citizen?
New Jersey residents who were erroneously registered due to the MVC software error may choose to seek legal services. Resources are listed below.
The software error caused the MVC to transmit individuals’ information for voter processing even when the individual answered “No” in response to the question asking whether they were a United States citizen.
MVC is notifying individuals affected by the error. The notification will state what MVC’s records show as to the answer to the question of whether the individual is a United States citizen.