Justice Department says MVC voter error strengthens case for access to N.J. voter rolls

Key points

• Justice Department contends N.J. cannot acknowledge 6,600 noncitizen voter registrations while blocking federal access to voter rolls
• The MVC voter registration error is being cited as evidence that federal investigators need access to state voting data
• New Jersey's disclosure of the problem is being used as leverage in the federal government's legal argument for voter roll transparency

FAQ

What is the Justice Department's argument about New Jersey voter records?

The Justice Department argues that New Jersey cannot disclose a significant voter registration error involving 6,600 noncitizens and simultaneously deny federal investigators access to voter rolls for investigation. The federal position is that acknowledging the problem weakens the state's legal basis for restricting access.

How many noncitizens were affected by the motor vehicle commission error?

According to the report, approximately 6,600 noncitizens were registered to vote through New Jersey's Motor Vehicle Commission before the error was identified.

Why does the Justice Department believe this strengthens their case?

The Justice Department contends that by publicly disclosing the noncitizen voter registration problem, New Jersey cannot credibly argue it should withhold voter roll data from federal authorities who would investigate such issues and prevent future occurrences.