The Department of Justice has reiterated its demand for New Jersey's voter registration data after it was revealed that approximately 6,600 noncitizens were added to the rolls through the motor-voter process. This development has sparked concerns about the integrity of the state's elections. The Justice Department is seeking to assess New Jersey's compliance with federal statutes, including the Help America Vote Act of 2002 and the National Voter Registration Act of 1993.
A letter from Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon to Governor Mikie Sherrill emphasized the importance of ensuring that U.S. citizens' votes are not diluted by noncitizens' votes. Dhillon requested additional information, including the names, personal information, and registration dates of the 6,600 noncitizens, as well as details about the 400 who cast ballots. The Justice Department has given Sherrill five days to provide this information, which will be treated as a legal preservation-of-records request.
The Department of Justice is already engaged in litigation against New Jersey, seeking access to the state's electronic voter registration database. A separate letter from Deputy Attorney General Jesus Osete to the New Jersey Division of Elections Director and the Lieutenant Governor reiterated the DOJ's request for electronic voter registration data. The letter emphasized the need to verify that no additional noncitizens are registered on the state's voter rolls.
A French technology contractor, IDEMIA, which works with the State Motor Vehicle Commission, has stated that responsibility for the error lies with the Department of State and the Division of Elections, not with the MVC. The company emphasized that it transmits voter registration information to the New Jersey Department of State, which is responsible for verifying eligibility to vote.
Meanwhile, Governor Sherrill's spokesman has criticized the Department of Justice, accusing it of having a "long history of weaponizing" the agency for political purposes. The spokesman emphasized that the governor will use all available legal tools to protect New Jerseyans' personal information. State Senator Kristin Corrado, the top Republican on the state's Judiciary Committee, has expressed concerns about voter-roll integrity, stating that she has tried to press the issue with Democrats since 2019.
The Department of Justice's actions in the New Jersey case appear to be part of a broader push for stronger election integrity measures nationwide. As multiple states continue to resist requests for information sharing, the DOJ's efforts may have significant implications for the integrity of elections across the country.
