NJ removes about 5,100 voter registrations tied to MVC system error
Another 1,450 registrations have been blocked pending review as the state continues investigating the error.
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New Jersey has removed about 5,100 people from its voter rolls and blocked another 1,450 registrations pending further review following a Motor Vehicle Commission system error, Gov. Mikie Sherrill's administration said Wednesday.
The administration said the roughly 5,100 people were registered only because of the error and had no other registration or attestation of their eligibility to vote. Their registrations have been placed in deleted status.
Another approximately 1,450 people affected by the error had separate voter registrations, attestations or other transactions requiring additional review, according to the administration. Their registrations have been changed to rejected status, preventing them from voting unless their eligibility is verified. Their cases have been referred to county election officials.
RELATED: Sherrill says NJ removing thousands of noncitizens from voter rolls after MVC registration error
The state said approximately 340 people who were newly registered because of the error voted, consistent with its earlier estimate of fewer than 400.
Officials also identified about 220 people affected by the software error who voted but had previous voter registrations or separate attestations indicating they may have been validly registered. Those cases are also being referred to county officials for review.
The Statewide Voter Registration System was briefly taken offline after the issue came to light July 21 so the Division of Elections could preserve a copy of the system and change the status of affected registrations, the administration said.
RELATED: How did 6,600 non-citizens stay on NJ voter rolls? State investigation begins
Sherrill said her administration is continuing to investigate the error and review voter records.
"My commitment to the people of New Jersey is to confront this issue with the urgency it deserves, so we have strong and fair elections," Sherrill said in a statement.
Sherrill also criticized the Trump administration and Republicans, accusing them of attempting to use the issue for political gain.
RELATED: Sherrill says software error led to about 6,600 noncitizens being registered to vote in New Jersey
County officials have been directed to complete their remaining reviews before voting begins, according to the administration. The state's investigation into how the error occurred remains ongoing.
