RNC Filed Lawsuit Over New Jersey Voter Rolls
The lawsuit claims election officials failed to provide records regarding voter maintenance.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Elections
Live Poll
Should election officials be required to disclose all voter roll maintenance records to the public?
The Republican National Committee has filed a lawsuit against New Jersey state and county election officials. The legal action alleges that authorities failed to release federally mandated voter roll maintenance records.
Why it matters
The RNC aims to investigate how noncitizen registrations occurred and verify that ineligible voters were properly removed from the rolls. This effort is part of a broader national initiative to scrutinize election integrity practices.
The lawsuit targets authorities in Bergen, Hudson, Middlesex, Somerset, and Union counties. The RNC has previously issued record requests to 48 states as part of its national inquiry into voter list accuracy.
The players
Republican National Committee
The RNC is the principal organization representing the Republican Party in the United States and manages its national platform.
Tom Kean Jr.
Tom Kean Jr. is a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives serving New Jersey's 7th congressional district.
Anthony Bucco
Anthony Bucco is a Republican member of the New Jersey State Senate representing the 25th legislative district.
The details
Plaintiffs including Rep. Tom Kean Jr. and Sen. Anthony Bucco allege that officials withheld critical data. The RNC is seeking transparency following a June report that identified approximately 6,600 noncitizens on state voter rolls.
Timeline
Early June 2026: RNC reported discovery of noncitizens on voter rolls.
July 2026: RNC filed previous lawsuit against the New Jersey secretary of state.
September 22, 2026: RNC filed the current lawsuit against election officials.
Political Context
Opponents and some election officials argue that these litigious efforts place an undue administrative burden on local offices without demonstrating systemic fraud. They maintain that existing state processes are already sufficient to ensure the integrity of the voter rolls.
This litigation may lead to increased scrutiny of voter registration records during upcoming local and state elections. Residents should verify their registration status through official portals to ensure their records remain accurate and active.
The takeaway
This case highlights the ongoing tension between national political organizations and state-level election management. Voters can ensure their participation by monitoring official communications from their county clerk regarding their registration status.
Further reading
For more on voting requirements, visit our Elections section.
Live Poll
Should election officials be required to disclose all voter roll maintenance records to the public?
