An 18-year-old Morris County woman won’t be disenfranchised by a Motor Vehicles Commission glitch and will get to vote in person for the first time.
“There will be no bah, humbug type decision out of me,” said Superior Court Judge Peter Bogaard after a short hearing on Sunday.
The woman testified that she visited the motor vehicles office in May to obtain her driver’s license and register to vote in advance of her recent 18th birthday. She said she had checked the box and selected a political party registration.
“That was all I was told to do as far as voter registration, and they never implied or told me I had to do anything else as far as that goes,” the woman said.
Asked by Bogaard if there were any reason she would have “knowingly or willingly” opted out of voting, the woman said no. He also asked if she was “looking forward to having the opportunity for the first time to be a voter.
“Yeah, I really was,’ she said. “I was very confused, and when they mentioned that the DMV probably didn’t give it to them, I was twice as confused and genuinely concerned, and that is why I was very upset, and I was kind of angry about it because, honestly, I waited a long time for voting rights, and I was upset that for some reason, the DMV didn’t find it necessary to give that information over.”
Bogaard found the woman to be credible and making a “good faith effort to participate in the system.”
“If someone knew in their heart of hearts that they had opted out of voter registration, why would they go to one of their local polling places in order to cast a ballot, and why would they then take it a step further, as she has, and engage in an appeal? “Bogaard asked. “I do agree it is really important that whenever possible, and within the boundaries of the law and considerations of justice and other equitable concerns, we want to encourage young folks to vote.”
“I hope you enjoy the ability to vote for the first time and exercise your rights as a citizen of the greatest country in the world, the United States of America,” Bogaard stated.
He said he was aware of other judges noting issues or concerns about the role of motor vehicles in voter registration.
“That doesn’t mean the DMV is doing anything wrong or anything like that, but I am cognizant of the fact that other judges, not only this election cycle, but in other past cycles have, under the same or similar circumstances, allowed the applicant to vote,” he said.
The Morris County woman is the latest in a multitude of voters who have gone to court in defense of their right to vote following an issue originating at the Motor Vehicle Commission.
Reached on her cell phone, MVC Administrator Latrecia Littles-Floyd declined to answer questions about her agency’s role in potentially disenfranchising voters.
“I have no idea. I’m out of state,” Littles-Floyd said. “Don’t call me on this line again.”
The New Jersey Globe withholds the names of voters who appear before judges to protect their privacy.
Voters who feel they are being wrongfully disenfranchised have the right to make their case to a judge. This can be done remotely and arranged through the county Board of Elections.
