Voter Denied Right to Vote in Parsippany Election

Resident claims motor vehicle office changed voter registration without consent

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A Parsippany, New Jersey resident was denied the ability to vote in a recent special House of Representatives election after the New Jersey Division of Motor Vehicles allegedly changed his voter registration from a political party affiliation to unaffiliated without his knowledge or consent when he went to renew his driver's license and get a Real ID. The resident, Patrick DiVitantonio, has voted in the township for the past 50 years and is now required to re-register with the County of Morris to restore his political party affiliation and voting rights.

Why it matters

This incident raises concerns about the integrity of the voter registration process and the ability of government agencies to unilaterally change a citizen's voter registration status without their knowledge or consent, potentially disenfranchising eligible voters. It also highlights the importance of voter protections and the need for greater transparency and accountability in the administration of elections.

The details

When DiVitantonio went to vote, the poll worker informed him that his voter registration status had been changed to unaffiliated. DiVitantonio insisted this was incorrect, as he had been registered with a political party since 1975 and had voted in the June 2025 primary election. After calling the Morris County Board of Elections, DiVitantonio was told his affiliation had been changed a week earlier by the New Jersey Division of Motor Vehicles when he went to renew his driver's license and get a Real ID. DiVitantonio claims he complained about being asked his voter registration status during the license renewal process, but the DMV employee simply laughed and did not answer his question. DiVitantonio is now required to re-register with the County of Morris to restore his political party affiliation and voting rights.

  • On February 5, 2026, DiVitantonio was denied the ability to vote in a special House of Representatives election in Parsippany, New Jersey.
  • DiVitantonio claims he has voted in the township for the past 50 years.
  • DiVitantonio went to the New Jersey Division of Motor Vehicles to renew his driver's license and get a Real ID within the past week, where his voter registration was allegedly changed without his knowledge or consent.

The players

Patrick DiVitantonio

A Parsippany, New Jersey resident who has voted in the township for the past 50 years and was denied the ability to vote in a recent special election after his voter registration was allegedly changed by the New Jersey Division of Motor Vehicles without his knowledge or consent.

New Jersey Division of Motor Vehicles

The state agency that allegedly changed DiVitantonio's voter registration from a political party affiliation to unaffiliated when he went to renew his driver's license and get a Real ID.

Morris County Board of Elections

The county election board that informed DiVitantonio that his voter registration had been changed by the New Jersey Division of Motor Vehicles.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Simply put....this is WRONG!”

— Patrick DiVitantonio (parsippanyfocus.com)

“Whether you are a Democrat or Republican one should be outraged by what happened at Voting site here in Parsippany, New Jersey.”

— Patrick DiVitantonio (parsippanyfocus.com)

What’s next

DiVitantonio is now required to re-register with the County of Morris to restore his political party affiliation and voting rights.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the importance of protecting the integrity of the voter registration process and ensuring that government agencies do not unilaterally change a citizen's voter registration status without their knowledge or consent, which can potentially disenfranchise eligible voters.