RNC Threatens Legal Action Against New Jersey Officials Over Noncitizens on Voter Rolls

<p>The Republican National Committee (RNC) is pursuing legal action against New Jersey election officials regarding voter roll records, specifically seeking information about noncitizens identified on the state's voter rolls.</p><p>On Wednesday, the RNC issued formal notices of violation under the National Voter Registration Act to New Jersey's Secretary of State and election officials in Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Somerset, and Union counties.</p><p>The committee is requesting records related to the removal of noncitizens, efforts to verify citizenship, and other activities concerning voter roll maintenance. Officials have until September 15 to provide the requested records or risk facing litigation, according to the RNC.</p><p>RNC Chairman Joe Gruters stated, "Democrat (Gov.) Mikie Sherrill admitted what the RNC already uncovered through public records requests: Noncitizens are on New Jersey's voter rolls. Now, election officials are refusing to turn over records explaining how it happened."</p><p>Gruters added, "Voters deserve answers, and the RNC is putting officials on notice: Comply with the law, hand over the records or face legal action."</p><p>The RNC claims that records from Bergen County identified 134 noncitizens removed from New Jersey voter rolls between January 2023 and August 2026. Of these, 91 registrations were linked to the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC).</p><p>Sherrill's administration has reported a software error at the MVC that improperly registered approximately 6,600 individuals to vote between June 2023 and June 2024, prior to her taking office.</p><p>Approximately 5,100 individuals affected by this error were removed from the voter rolls due to a lack of separate registration or attestation of eligibility. Additionally, about 1,450 registrations were marked as rejected, pending further review by county election officials.</p><p>The state noted that around 340 individuals who were newly registered due to the software error voted, while approximately 220 individuals who voted had previous registrations or separate attestations that may indicate valid registration.</p><p>Sherrill stated that county officials have been instructed to resolve outstanding cases before the upcoming November election.</p><p>She has also accused the Trump administration of attempting to exert greater federal control over state voter rolls and has resisted federal efforts to obtain nonpublic voter information, describing the initiative as a "phishing expedition here in New Jersey."</p><p>The investigation into the MVC error by the governor's office is ongoing.</p><p>The RNC, New Jersey Secretary of State's office, and Sherrill's office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.</p>