Trump and his allies quickly seized on a New Jersey election error to boost misleading voter fraud claims, escalating false narratives about noncitizen voting. The announcement from Governor Mikie Sherrill revealed that 6,600 noncitizens were mistakenly registered to vote due to a software error, with fewer than 400 actually casting ballots. This tiny fraction of New Jersey's 6.6 million registered voters became the center of a political firestorm.
The New Jersey Software Error and Its Impact
New Jersey's automatic voter registration system, in place since 2018, registers anyone interacting with the motor vehicle office unless they opt out. Between 2023 and 2024, 6,600 noncitizens were inadvertently registered because of the glitch. Of those, only about 400 voted, according to Sherrill. The error represents 0.1% of the state's registered voters.
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Comparison of Registration Errors
| Category | Number |
|---|---|
| Noncitizens mistakenly registered | 6,600 |
| Noncitizens who voted | ~400 |
| Total registered voters in NJ | 6.6 million |
| Percentage who voted due to error | 0.006% |
Despite the minuscule scale, Trump and other election deniers inflated the numbers, claiming 35,152 noncitizens were registered based on a Homeland Security letter. However, a review of that letter shows far less certainty, with no clear methodology provided.
Trump's Response and Misleading Claims
Trump posted on Truth Social that "35,152 is the new number just released by Homeland Security of non-citizens registered to vo..." This exaggeration aligns with his long-standing false narrative that "illegals" are stealing American elections for Democrats. Harmeet Dhillon, head of the Justice Department's civil rights division, has requested names of those who registered and voted, mulling prosecutions. Sherrill, however, indicated the state would not release the information, calling it unfair to prosecute individuals for an error the state caused.
Key Takeaways
- The software error affected only 0.1% of New Jersey voters.
- Fewer than 400 noncitizens actually voted, a statistically insignificant number.
- Trump and allies used the incident to push unsubstantiated claims of widespread voter fraud.
- Federal and state officials are at odds over how to handle the error and potential prosecutions.
- Automatic voter registration remains in place, but reforms may be needed to prevent similar glitches.
FAQ
What was the New Jersey election error?
A software error in New Jersey's automatic voter registration system inadvertently registered 6,600 noncitizens to vote between 2023 and 2024. About 400 of them cast ballots.
How did Donald Trump respond to the error?
Trump seized on the news to boost misleading claims of widespread voter fraud, posting inflated numbers on Truth Social and accusing Democrats of benefiting from illegal voting.
Will the noncitizens who voted be prosecuted?
Governor Sherrill stated it would be unfair to prosecute them for a state-caused error. The Justice Department is reportedly mulling options but has not yet taken action.
What is the significance of this incident for the 2024 election?
While the error is minor, it has become a political weapon for Trump and others to amplify false narratives about election integrity, potentially influencing public trust ahead of the 2024 presidential race.
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