New Jersey recently removed approximately 6,600 noncitizens from its voter rolls after a "serious software error" in the state's Motor Vehicle System made them mistakenly eligible to vote in the 2024 presidential election. The discovery prompted an immediate investigation ordered by Governor Mikie Sherrill.

Despite the controversy, Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) has continued to oppose President Donald Trump’s SAVE America Act, which aims to impose federal voter ID requirements. Booker argued on August 1, 2026, that the SAVE Act would not have prevented the clerical errors seen in New Jersey, Texas, and Oregon.

"Nothing in the SAVE Act would have prevented a clerical error like we've seen in Texas and Oregon and New Jersey," Booker said. He also expressed concern that the issue is being "weaponized by some people to advance schemes that actually would hurt Americans."

Booker emphasized that New Jersey is actively investigating the incident and taking steps to address the problem. He stated, "We're going to handle the problems in New Jersey," while warning that the SAVE Act "would stop millions of Americans from voting."

The controversy has drawn criticism from House Republicans who confronted the New Jersey governor over the registration of noncitizens due to the alleged software failure. Meanwhile, Governor Sherrill affirmed the state's commitment to accountability, saying, "We have a governor that's saying this is unacceptable. We're gonna make sure that we get to the bottom of it. People need to be held accountable."

Booker also highlighted the importance of protecting voting systems, stating, "We’ve got to protect our voting systems," and affirmed that New Jersey is taking the issue seriously.

Sources