Several thousand N.J. voters received letters saying they can’t vote in primary

Thousands of New Jersey voters who visited Motor Vehicle Commission offices since April 17 have found themselves ineligible to vote in the June 10 primary election after computer mishaps led to a change in party registration without the voter knowing it.

Most of the issues stem from the rush to obtain Real IDs.  Voters are being asked to register to vote, and even if they’re already registered, they are asked to confirm their party affiliation.

Election officials in several counties confirmed that they have sent letters notifying them that they will not be permitted to vote in the June primary at all, if the party change occurred after the April 17 deadline that bars party switches within 55 days of a primary election.

The letters are automatically generated by superintendents of elections and county election boards at the direction of Assistant Attorney General Susan Scott, who runs the Law Division’s Elections office.   The letter does not advise voters of their right to appeal; Scott doesn’t think it’s her job to help voters overrule her, election officials said.

This week, some judges rejected the rigidity of the policy, apparently mandated by Scott, that a voter who attempts to change their party after the deadline, either deliberately or by accident, will be disenfranchised for the June primary.

Some election officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told the New Jersey Globe that they disagree with Scott’s decision, something three Superior Court Judges rejected last week.

“This is her opinion, not mine,” one election official said.  “She tells the deputy attorney general what to say, and they stand in front of a judge and say they’re representing me.  They’re not representing me.  They’re representing Susan Scott and that’s bullshit, right?”

Now, several election officials said that Scott or her representatives have advised them not to tell voters they can appear before a judge to advocate against their disenfranchisement unless they ask.

There are reports that some poll workers are not telling voters who are seemingly ineligible because of a MVC issue that they can vote by provisional ballot, instead sending them home without casting their vote.

Two Essex County lawmakers announced plans to prohibit motor vehicles from becoming involved in party affiliation switches during the 55 days before a primary election.

“Making sure every voter has the opportunity to vote is fundamental to our democracy. Reading reports of party affiliation changes after the deadline because of the MVC is unacceptable,” said Assemblymen Al Barlas (R-Cedar Grove) and Michael Venezia (D-Bloomfield).  “We will be introducing legislation to ensure the MVC and SVRS doesn’t process any voter changes after the statutory deadline. No voter should be subject to a judge’s interpretation as to whether they can vote or not.”

The New Jersey Globe called most election offices over the weekend; most offered the option of provisional ballots, and no one proactively offered up the right of a voter to appear before a judge.

Attorney General Matt Platkin has recused himself from election matters in the Division of Law, instead taking part in voting rights areas in the Division of Civil Rights.