New Jersey Republicans sue over overseas voting law and noncitizen registration

New Jersey Republicans and the Republican National Committee have filed a lawsuit challenging the state’s Overseas Residents Absentee Voting Law. The legal action targets a 2022 provision that allows certain children of New Jersey residents born overseas, who have never lived in the state, to participate in elections. Republicans argue the law is unconstitutional and part of a broader issue regarding non-residents on voter rolls.

The legal challenge follows disclosures regarding election security in the state. Reports indicate that approximately 6,600 noncitizens were found registered to vote through the state’s Motor Vehicle Commission. Investigations by the state GOP have also identified hundreds of noncitizens on voter rolls, with 30 documented cases of non-citizens casting ballots.

Critics of the current system point to the 1993 National Voter Registration Act, also known as the ‘Motor Voter Law,’ arguing that requiring motor vehicle agencies to facilitate registration creates vulnerabilities for fraud. State officials have signaled they will defend the overseas voting law, stating they intend to protect the rights of eligible overseas and military voters.