Sherrill rejects DOJ demand for personal information in voter registration probe

Key points

• Gov. Sherrill rejected a DOJ demand for personal voter information connected to an MVC software error
• The governor cited federal and state privacy laws as the reason for withholding the data
• Thousands of voters were improperly registered through the Motor Vehicles Commission technical glitch
• The dispute raises questions about balancing federal oversight with state privacy protections

FAQ

Why did the DOJ request personal information from New Jersey?

The Department of Justice sought the data as part of a federal investigation into voter registrations that were improperly added to rolls due to a Motor Vehicles Commission software error. Federal authorities typically investigate potential voting irregularities.

What privacy laws does the governor cite?

Gov. Sherrill pointed to both federal and state privacy laws as legal barriers to releasing the personal information of affected voters. These laws restrict disclosure of sensitive personal data without explicit legal authority or consent.

How many people were affected by the MVC software error?

The governor's statement references thousands of improper voter registrations resulting from the Motor Vehicles Commission software glitch, though exact numbers were not specified in available details.