GOP to Hochul: Secure Our Elections Now

New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill's admission that at least 6,600 illegal immigrants were mistakenly registered to vote and hundreds cast ballots has sparked a renewed push by New York Senate Republicans for stricter election security laws, with members sending Gov. Kathy Hochul a letter demanding immediate action.

The Republican conference said the New Jersey case demonstrates how administrative failures can undermine confidence in elections and warned New York could face similar problems without stronger safeguards.

Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt said, "Non-citizens should not cast a single vote," arguing New Jersey's voter registration errors could be "a fraction" of what is happening in New York and urging Hochul to adopt "common-sense measures" to protect election integrity.

The lawmakers are urging Hochul and the Democrat-led Legislature to repeal the Green Light Law, enact a voter ID requirement, conduct a comprehensive audit of New York's voter rolls, veto future election measures they believe create vulnerabilities, and revisit legislation that would expand automatic voter registration through Medicaid and DMV transactions.

Senate Republicans also criticized Senate Bill S.88A, arguing that automatic voter registration tied to Medicaid and DMV records could increase the risk of ineligible registrations. They noted Senate Democrats previously rejected a Republican-backed bill sponsored by Sen. Mark Walczyk that would require voters to present government-issued photo identification before casting a ballot.

Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt said, "Non-citizens should not cast a single vote," urging Hochul to adopt "common-sense measures" to ensure secure elections. Sen. Mark Walczyk, the ranking Republican on the Senate Elections Committee, called New Jersey "a wake-up call" and said voter ID requirements and audits of voter rolls are "practical steps" to protect election integrity.

Sen. George Borrello, also a member of the Elections Committee, said New York "cannot assume that won't happen here," calling for "a full audit" of voter rolls and warning that "trust" in elections must be preserved.

Republicans contend the reforms would strengthen election integrity while ensuring that only eligible U.S. citizens are registered to vote and every legal ballot is counted.