Pennacchio calls for expanded federal investigation into New Jersey voter registration controversy

TRENTON, N.J. — State Sen. Joe Pennacchio is urging the U.S. Department of Justice to expand its investigation into the registration and voting of non-citizens in New Jersey, citing recently disclosed figures involving voter registration records and jury summonses.

Pennacchio, R-Morris/Passaic, announced that he has asked Assistant U.S. Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon to broaden the federal investigation following recent statements by Gov. Mikie Sherrill that a “computer glitch” resulted in approximately 6,600 non-citizens being registered to vote, including about 400 who cast ballots. According to Pennacchio, IDEMIA, the company that provides services to the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, has denied responsibility and said the issue rests with the New Jersey Department of State and the Division of Elections.

Pennacchio also pointed to the recent disclosure that approximately 75,000 non-citizens were included in the pool of prospective jurors. He noted that the New Jersey Judiciary compiles its jury lists primarily from records maintained by the Motor Vehicle Commission, Division of Elections and Division of Taxation.

The senator also cited a previous Department of Homeland Security report that identified more than 35,000 potential non-citizens on New Jersey’s voter rolls.

“The disclosure that 75,000 non-citizens were summoned as potential members of juries screams for a thorough federal investigation,” said Senator Pennacchio. “The Governor has blamed IDEMIA, the Murphy Administration and of course President Donald Trump for their ever-increasing numbers. What is of concern to me is that there may exist in these ever-increasing numbers a large pool of undocumented immigrants which may be drawn from to potentially change an election.”

Pennacchio also highlighted legislation he sponsors, S-1332, which would require the state to cross-check voter registration records with jury records to identify and remove ineligible voter registrations. According to the senator, the bill was first introduced in 2021.

The senator criticized Gov. Sherrill’s call for an independent investigation, describing it as a “whitewash.”

“As the scope of this problem grows daily and with the refusal of the Democrat Legislature to investigate, it is obvious the U.S. Attorney General’s office must take charge,” concluded Senator Pennacchio.