New Jersey legislation · 2026-2027 Regular Session
New Jersey A5489: Automatic voter registration-eliminate and require proof of citizenship at MVC
Status: In committee, September 14, 2026
Eliminates automatic voter registration, restores "opt-in" voter registration process, and requires proof of citizenship for voter registration at MVC.
What the bill says
An Act eliminating automatic voter registration and requiring proof of citizenship for certain voter registration, amending P.L.1994, c.182, and repealing section 4 of P.L.2018, c.6 (C.19:31-6.14).
From the introduced text, September 14, 2026:
An Act eliminating automatic voter registration and requiring proof of citizenship for certain voter registration, amending P.L.1994, c.182, and repealing section 4 of P.L.2018, c.6 (C.19:31-6.14). Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey: 1. (New Section) The Legislature finds and declares that: a. In 2018, the Legislature amended State law to require the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission and certain other State agencies to automatically register to vote applicants for a motor vehicle drivers license, an examination permit, a probationary drivers license, or a non-driver identification card, unless the applicant affirmatively declines. b. This opt-out voter registration system replaced a process under which State residents were offered the opportunity to affirmatively register to vote in connection with certain motor vehicle transactions, but were not registered to vote unless they took action to do so. c. In July 2026, Governor Mikie Sherrill publicly acknowledged that a software error in the Motor Vehicle Commissions automatic voter registration system resulted in approximately 6,600 individuals who indicated in response to a direct citizenship question that they were not United States citizens nonetheless being registered to vote between June 2023 and June 2024. d. According to the Governors own public account, approximately 400 of these improperly registered individuals subsequently cast ballots in New Jersey elections. e. New …
Sponsors
- John V. Azzariti Jr., M.D. (R, 39) · primary sponsor
- Dawn Fantasia (R, 24) · primary sponsor
- Christopher P. DePhillips (R, 40) · primary sponsor
- Donald A. Guardian (R, 2)
- Gregory E. Myhre (R, 9)
Latest actions
- : INT 1RA REF ASL
Subjects: ELECTIONS, MOTOR VEHICLES - REGULATION
Common questions
- What is A5489?
- A5489 is a bill in the New Jersey Legislature (2026-2027 Regular Session): Automatic voter registration-eliminate and require proof of citizenship at MVC.
- What does A5489 do?
- In its own words: An Act eliminating automatic voter registration and requiring proof of citizenship for certain voter registration, amending P.L.1994, c.182, and repealing section 4 of P.L.2018, c.6 (C.19:31-6.14).
- What is the status of A5489?
- In committee as of September 14, 2026. Latest action: INT 1RA REF ASL (September 14, 2026).
- Who sponsored A5489?
- John V. Azzariti Jr., M.D. (R, 39), with 4 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for A5489?
- On the New Jersey Legislature website: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/A5489
Source: official New Jersey record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.