WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Mikie Sherrill publicly warned in 2019 that New Jersey’s election system ranked among the least secure in the nation, citing vulnerabilities in voting technology and the absence of paper ballots as a major concern.
At the time, Sherrill was concerned over the rise of President Donald J. Trump and attacks on the election system in New Jersey, ahead of the the 2020 election between Trump and Biden.
A video of Sherrill raising the concern has been shared on X. The authenticity of the video could not be independently confirmed, but the meeting referenced by Sherrill did take place later in the year where the concerns about New Jersey’s election security were discussed.
“That’s a huge problem,” Sherrill said during remarks tied to congressional oversight of election infrastructure. “If you’re not aware, New Jersey has the least safe election systems in the country. Not a great place to be, especially given some of the attacks on our election system we’ve seen. We don’t have paper ballots, which is critical.”
Sherrill referenced a congressional hearing in which a 12-year-old participant at a hacker convention demonstrated the ability to breach systems similar to those used in elections. The example was presented as part of broader concerns over cybersecurity weaknesses in voting infrastructure.
In 2019, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held oversight hearings focused on protecting election systems from cyber threats. The discussions centered on strengthening safeguards for election security, reducing reliance on internet-connected voting technology, and expanding the use of auditable paper ballots.
Sherrill, a member of the 116th Congress, participated in oversight efforts examining vulnerabilities in voting machines, electronic poll books, and online voter registration systems. Lawmakers emphasized the need for federal funding to help state and local jurisdictions upgrade aging equipment and implement stronger cybersecurity standards.
2019 oversight hearing focus
The hearings followed nationwide scrutiny of election systems after the 2016 presidential election and concerns over foreign interference. Members of Congress discussed establishing national standards to secure voting infrastructure and ensure transparent, reliable results.
Sherrill advocated for the use of paper ballots and verifiable audit trails, arguing they are critical components of secure elections. According to congressional records, she supported bipartisan measures aimed at protecting voting systems from both foreign and domestic threats.
- Sherrill warned New Jersey lacked paper ballot safeguards
- 2019 hearings examined voting machine and database vulnerabilities
- Lawmakers pushed for federal funding and national cybersecurity standards
Oversight discussions also addressed the protection of voting machines and electronic systems against hacking attempts, as well as the security of foreign interference in U.S. elections.
The hearings were part of a broader congressional effort to evaluate election technology risks and recommend upgrades to strengthen safeguards across the country.