Governor says federal involvement threatens state control of elections and voter access
Trenton, NJ – New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill is pushing back against former President Donald Trump over mail-in voting, saying the federal government has no authority to control how the state administers its elections. The statement comes amid renewed national debate over voting access and election oversight.
Sherrill emphasized that election administration is a state responsibility, citing longstanding practices in New Jersey. “The Constitution is clear: states run elections, not the federal government. New Jersey has administered safe, secure, and accessible voting for generations,” she said in a public statement.
The governor defended the state’s vote-by-mail system, noting its widespread use across political affiliations. “Our vote-by-mail system works. Millions of New Jerseyans — Republicans, Democrats, and unaffiliated voters alike — rely on it,” Sherrill said. “The president himself has cast ballots by mail.”
It wasn’t always that way. When campaigning in Congress against Trump, Sherrill said, “New Jersey has the least safe elections in the country.”
Governor criticizes federal role in election changes
Key Points
- Gov. Mikie Sherrill says New Jersey controls its own election system
- Defends mail-in voting as secure and widely used across parties
- Criticizes Trump, saying proposed actions could restrict voter access
Sherrill argued that recent efforts tied to Trump would not improve election integrity and could instead create barriers for voters. “This order does nothing to strengthen election integrity and is designed to make it harder for eligible citizens to vote,” she said.
She also criticized Trump more broadly, linking the issue to wider policy concerns. “Like everything Donald Trump gets involved in – from jobs to healthcare, to gas prices, a war with no plan, or even running our airports – he creates chaos and makes life harder for New Jerseyans,” Sherrill said.
Vows legal action to protect voting rights
The governor pledged to take action if necessary to protect access to voting in the state. “Let’s be clear: any problem with mail in ballots would be caused by Trump himself,” she said. “I will take every action available to protect New Jerseyans fundamental voting rights.”
No specific federal policy changes were detailed in the statement, and it remains unclear what actions could prompt legal challenges from the state.
