WASHINGTON,
D.C. – Today, the Republican National Committee (RNC) sued Secretary
of State Dale G. Caldwell and Mercer County Superintendent of Elections Walker
Worthy Jr. for allowing certain non-residents who have never lived in New
Jersey to register and vote in the state's elections.
“Democrats are allowing
certain people who have never lived in New Jersey to vote in the state's
elections,” said RNC Chairman Joe Gruters. “The RNC is taking them to
court to stop this unconstitutional scheme, protect lawful voters, and secure
New Jersey elections.”
Background:
- The RNC, the New Jersey
Republican Party (NJGOP), and Republican congressional candidate Michael
McGuire sued
New Jersey election officials for allowing certain non-residents to
register and vote in New Jersey elections.
- This lawsuit challenges a New
Jersey law that allows certain people who have never lived
in New Jersey – and in some cases have never lived in the United States –
to vote in state elections based solely on a relative's prior residency.
- The RNC is suing to strike down
this unconstitutional "never-resident voter" law and ensure only
eligible New Jersey voters decide New Jersey elections.
- New Jersey's Constitution
requires voters to be New Jersey residents and state officials cannot
expand voting eligibility beyond those constitutional limits.
- This lawsuit does not affect
military members or overseas voters who previously lived in New Jersey,
both of whom remain legally eligible to vote under state and federal law.
- This lawsuit builds on the
RNC's successful record defending voter eligibility requirements across the
country, including a major victory in North
Carolina stopping non-residents from voting and recent lawsuits
challenging similar policies in Nebraska, Colorado,
and Nevada
