Politics
Congressional Republicans demand New Jersey records on voter-registration software error
Four House Republicans subpoenaed New Jersey for documents about a Motor Vehicle Commission error that placed thousands of noncitizens on voter rolls. The subpoena says the state has provided only 12 documents after months of requests and sets a Nov. 16 deadline for more records.
Four House Republicans have subpoenaed New Jersey’s acting secretary of state for records about a software error that allowed thousands of noncitizens to register to vote through the state Motor Vehicle Commission.
The subpoena, issued Oct. 21, gives Acting Secretary of State Shirley Emehelu until Nov. 16 to turn over records sought by the House Judiciary and House Administration committees. The registration error was disclosed in July, before Gov. Mikie Sherrill was elected, according to the congressional leaders’ letter.
The lawmakers say the state has supplied just 12 documents in response to several months of requests. In their letter to Emehelu, Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan of Ohio, Administration Committee Chair Bryan Steil of Wisconsin, and Reps. Laurel Lee of Florida and Jeff Van Drew of New Jersey argued that the lack of records has hindered congressional oversight and consideration of potential legislative changes.
Emehelu became acting secretary of state after former Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell resigned Sept. 25. The subpoena targets the state Department of State, which oversees elections, and seeks records tied to the Motor Vehicle Commission error.
The episode puts New Jersey’s handling of voter-registration systems under federal scrutiny. The information provided about the incident describes accidental registrations; it does not establish that any noncitizen cast a ballot.