New Jersey Voter Registration Error Sparks Democratic Calls for Accountability New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill announced on Tuesday that a "serious software error" led to the mistaken registration of approximately 6,600 noncitizens for the 2024 election, prompting Democratic lawmakers to demand accountability while rejecting claims of widespread election fraud. The error, traced to the state’s Motor Vehicle System, resulted in the removal of ineligible voters from the rolls, with fewer than 400 of the affected individuals casting ballots. Sherrill emphasized that the state’s Division of Elections is actively addressing the issue, though the incident has intensified scrutiny over voter registration systems and election integrity. Democratic Senator Andy Kim of New Jersey called for greater state control over voter roll accuracy, criticizing reliance on the Department of Homeland Security’s findings, which identified around 250,000 potential noncitizen voters across multiple states. "We need to ensure states have the tools to maintain accurate voter rolls," Kim stated, arguing that merging state data with federal databases often leads to complications. He also highlighted the need for improved election technology and paper trails to prevent future errors. Sherrill, a Democratic gubernatorial candidate, confirmed that she immediately launched an investigation after the error was discovered. She acknowledged the gravity of the situation, noting that the state’s system had "a big problem with that computer problem," but stressed that the issue was being resolved. However, the incident has drawn sharp criticism from Republican lawmakers, who have labeled the error "worse than anyone expected" and accused the state of failing to safeguard the electoral process.#department_of_homeland_security #mikie_sherrill #new_jersey_governor #andy_kim #democratic_senators
New Jersey Lifts 40-Year Moratorium on New Nuclear Power Plants New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill signed legislation on Wednesday to end the state’s 40-year de-facto moratorium on new nuclear power plants, citing the urgent need to address rising electricity costs and the growing gap between energy supply and demand. The measure, which passed the General Assembly on March 23 with a large majority, amends the Coastal Area Facility and Review Act, a law that previously barred the state’s Department of Environmental Protection from issuing permits for nuclear facilities unless the federal government established a permanent nuclear waste disposal site. Sherrill emphasized that the decision was driven by the need to reduce energy costs for consumers, stating, “For costs to come down, we need more energy supply.” She argued that the outdated permit requirements, which had prevented new nuclear projects, were no longer viable. The legislation now allows permits for new reactors based on “safe, [Nuclear Regulatory Commission] compliant waste storage” with a “100 percent effective safety record in the U.S.” The bill’s sponsor, Assemblyman Wayne DeAngelo, highlighted the potential of nuclear energy as a stable, carbon-neutral power source. “I am excited that we are moving closer to building more nuclear generation in our State because it has proven to be a stable and reliable carbon neutral energy source that will help us bridge the gap between what we generate and use,” he said. The move follows a broader push by Sherrill to tackle energy costs, including a state of emergency declaration on energy prices and the creation of a 14-member task force focused on energy financing, supply chains, workforce development, and regulatory frameworks.#new_jersey #mikie_sherrill #wayne_deangelo #salem_nuclear_power_plant #hope_creek
