New Jersey Republicans call for bipartisan probe after 75,000 noncitizens summoned for jury duty
Republican state lawmakers in New Jersey are urging a bipartisan investigation with subpoena power after reports revealed that about 75,000 noncitizens were called for jury service, expanding concerns that voter-registration safeguards are inadequate.
State Republican leaders said the discovery that roughly 75,000 noncitizens were summoned for jury duty through state databases has widened a controversy that began with the motor-vehicle commission’s automatic voter-registration system. Senator Kristin Corrado, the top Republican on the Judiciary Committee, said she had repeatedly warned officials that the system relied on an "honor system" and lacked sufficient safeguards.
"We did not think that was acceptable or satisfactory or enough of a safeguard," Corrado told Fox News Digital.
Corrado and Senate Minority Leader Anthony Bucco are now demanding a bipartisan special investigation with subpoena authority, arguing that the governor’s internal review is too limited in scope. Senate President Nicholas Scutari said he would wait for the governor’s investigation to conclude before taking further action.
"Governor Sherrill deserves credit for being transparent about these failures and launching an independent investigation," Scutari said.
State court system spokesman Peter McAleer explained that the jury-selection process draws from multiple state lists, including the motor-vehicle commission, the taxation department and the elections department, and that prospective jurors must certify their citizenship on a questionnaire. He noted that about 75,000 individuals are disqualified from jury service each year for lack of U.S. citizenship.
"If a prospective juror submits a knowingly false answer, they can be subject to punishment for contempt of court," McAleer said.
Republican legislators also introduced a bill to end motor-voter registration, require voter-ID, and mandate regular audits of election data systems. Senator Joe Pennacchio called for a federal investigation, saying the figure underscores the state’s inability to police the issue.
"The disclosure that 75,000 noncitizens were summoned as potential jurors screams for a thorough federal investigation," Pennacchio said.
The controversy has prompted calls for broader scrutiny of New Jersey’s voter-registration processes ahead of upcoming elections.