TRENTON, N.J. — Gov. Mikie Sherrill on Tuesday celebrated the enactment of the John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act, calling the new law a landmark measure that expands voting protections in New Jersey amid what state officials describe as growing federal threats to voting rights.
Sherrill signed the legislation into law on July 2, making New Jersey the first state to enact comprehensive statewide voting rights protections following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Louisiana v. Callais, according to the governor’s office.
The law establishes new state-level protections designed to strengthen access to voting while preserving election integrity. Among its provisions, the measure requires jurisdictions with a history of discrimination to obtain approval from the New Jersey attorney general before making certain election administration changes, prohibits practices that dilute the voting power of communities of color, expands language assistance for voters, creates a statewide public elections database and authorizes legal action to enforce voting rights.
“I was honored to call John Lewis a friend and to serve alongside him in Congress. There is no better way to honor his legacy than by putting his life’s work into law,” Sherrill said. “The John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act strengthens voting rights, expands access to the ballot, and ensures every eligible New Jerseyan has a fair opportunity to participate in our democracy. At a time when those rights are under attack by Donald Trump and Republicans in Washington, this work is more important than ever.”
Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell said the law reinforces New Jersey’s commitment to ensuring equal access to the ballot.
“Every New Jersey voter deserves the freedom to make their voice heard without barriers, intimidation, or discrimination,” Caldwell said. “The John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act honors the legacy of a civil rights icon by strengthening voter protections and ensuring the voting process works for every community across our state.”
Senate President Pro Tempore Shirley K. Turner, D-Mercer, Hunterdon, the bill’s prime Senate sponsor, said the legislation responds to nationwide concerns about voting access.
“Throughout the last several election cycles, we have seen voting rights come under attack across the country in ways that have raised serious concerns about access to our democratic process,” Turner said. “At a time when proposals continue to advance nationally that could make it harder for eligible citizens to vote, especially for women and communities of color, this law reaffirms New Jersey’s commitment to protecting and strengthening access to the ballot box for every eligible voter.”
Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson, D-Hunterdon, Mercer, said New Jersey has joined other states in adopting state-level voting rights protections while expanding safeguards beyond those provided under federal law.
“I am truly honored to celebrate Governor Sherrill’s recent signing of this vital piece of legislation. It’s time for states to step up to protect voting rights. New Jersey now has a clear mandate to not only protect but expand voting rights for Black voters and other voters of color who are disproportionately harmed by discriminatory practices and barriers to voting,” Reynolds-Jackson said. “With the John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act now law, New Jersey has joined the growing movement of state voting rights acts. We are now the 10th state to pass a state VRA and—because we’re New Jersey and we don’t play—ours is one of the strongest in the country. By passing our own voting rights, we are making sure that New Jersey voters—especially Black and other voters of color—are protected more by our state law than by federal law.”
Ryan Haygood, former president and CEO of the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice, said the legislation is the result of years of advocacy by civil rights organizations.
“Thirteen years ago, the United States Supreme Court tore the heart of the federal Voting Rights Act. A few months ago, it finished the job. But New Jersey did not sit idle,” Haygood said. “The Institute and over 60 organizations working on behalf of New Jersey’s communities of color – those most at risk of being disenfranchised – worked for the last four years to make sure New Jersey voters are protected. Now, with the passing and signing of one of the strongest state voting rights laws in the country, we have achieved that goal – and set an example for all of America. We are deeply grateful to Asw. Reynolds-Jackson for her stalwart leadership, and to Gov. Sherrill for signing the bill and holding this meaningful ceremony to mark its importance.”
