Federal law requires that voters in national elections attest they are U.S. citizens under penalty of perjury. This is a crucial measure designed to protect the integrity of elections across the country.

On July 22, 2026, New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill (D) disclosed a significant error in the state’s voter registration process. The state mistakenly registered 6,600 noncitizens to vote. Approximately 400 of those individuals cast ballots in elections.

Gov. Sherrill admitted the mistake, distinguishing herself from her predecessor under whom the error occurred. Acknowledging this issue is an important first step towards ensuring electoral integrity. The acknowledgment opens a path for addressing such errors and preventing future occurrences.

Each case of illegal voting should be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted to maintain trust in the democratic process. Ensuring that elections are free from fraud is fundamental to a functioning democracy, but it does not necessitate federal control over state-managed election processes.

States play a vital role in conducting elections. They must be vigilant in maintaining accurate voter registration systems. This ensures that only eligible citizens vote, aligning with federal laws already in place. Strengthening state systems can help avoid errors like those in New Jersey.