For years, Democrats dismissed concerns about election integrity as “conspiracy theories.” They mocked anyone who questioned the security of voter rolls. They attacked President Donald Trump for demanding answers.

Then Gov. Mikie Sherrill confirmed that approximately 6,600 people who explicitly identified themselves as noncitizens were registered to vote in New Jersey, and close to 400 of them voted.

Read that again.

They said they were not citizens. New Jersey registered them anyway. Hundreds then cast ballots.

That is not a theory. That is not misinformation. That is a confirmed election-integrity failure of staggering proportions, yet we still do not know its full scope.

But even while making this stunning admission, Sherrill could not bring herself to take responsibility. Instead, she attacked Trump, claiming he has “zero credibility” on election integrity.

Governor, the noncitizens were registered in New Jersey. They voted in New Jersey. The Motor Vehicle Commission and Division of Elections are controlled by New Jersey.

This isn’t Washington’s failure. It’s Trenton’s.

The Trump administration raised the alarm about potentially tens of thousands of noncitizens appearing on New Jersey’s voter rolls and demanded answers. Homeland Security identified as many as 35,152 potential noncitizen registrations in New Jersey.

Days later, Sherrill admitted that the state had already confirmed 6,600 improper registrations.

Her response was not gratitude that a serious vulnerability had finally received national attention.

It was more deflection.

Then came another major contradiction.

Sherrill blamed a “serious software error” and immediately moved to replace IDEMIA, the state’s vendor. IDEMIA responded that its system transmitted accurate information according to specifications established by the state.

The company said the files showed the applicants had identified themselves as noncitizens and that the New Jersey Division of Elections was ultimately responsible for validating voter eligibility.

Questions that still need answers

So which is it?

Did the software fail, or did New Jersey officials receive accurate citizenship information and approve the registrations anyway?

Key questions remain:

• How did this continue for an entire year?
• Who knew about it?
• Why was it not disclosed sooner?
• Were these the only 6,600 registrations affected?
• Are the approximately 400 ballots the complete number?
• Which elections were involved?
• Did any races have margins smaller than the number of improper ballots cast?

Most important, was this simply breathtaking incompetence, or was any part of it intentional?

Why an independent investigation is needed

The governor has hired a law firm to review the matter. That is not enough. An investigator selected and paid by the administration cannot be the final word on whether state agencies under Democratic control failed to protect our elections.

New Jersey needs a genuinely independent investigation and a special legislative committee with bipartisan membership, subpoena authority and public hearings.

At a minimum, testimony should come from:

• IDEMIA
• The MVC
• The Division of Elections
• County election officials
• Officials from the prior administration

Sherrill has developed a familiar routine. When New Jerseyans confront unaffordable taxes, she blames Washington. When utility bills rise, she blames Washington. When school districts lose funding, she blames Washington. When Trenton passes another bloated budget, she blames Washington.

Now noncitizens were registered and voted because New Jersey’s own systems failed, and somehow she still deflects.

Governor Deflection, the problem is not Washington.

The problem is Trenton.

With honest, competent leadership, it can be fixed in Trenton.

And as much as you want it, this issue will not be swept under the rug. My colleagues and I will raise it every week until we know the full scope, whether anyone acted intentionally, who knew about it and who will be held accountable.

New Jersey citizens have a right to know that every legal vote counts and that no illegal vote cancels it out.

I will keep fighting until they get those answers.