Assemblyman Inganamort criticizes N.J. voter bill, warns of legal and fiscal impacts
TRENTON, N.J. — Assemblyman Michael Inganamort voiced strong opposition Thursday to the John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act of New Jersey, raising concerns during a hearing of the Assembly Oversight, Reform and Federal Relations Committee about potential legal challenges, costs to taxpayers and effects on election administration.
Inganamort (R-Morris) described the legislation as “deeply flawed,” arguing that it would create confusion and expand judicial powers in ways that could alter elections.
“Congressman John Lewis was a remarkable man who made a historic impact on our country,” Inganamort said. “But this bill isn’t about his legacy. It’s about fundamentally rewriting election law based on several false notions.”
The bill, which advanced from the Assembly State and Local Government Committee in December, passed in a 4-1 vote along party lines.
Inganamort said the proposal assumes voter registration is difficult in New Jersey and that voter intimidation is widespread. He also said the bill grants judges authority to overturn elections, redraw districts, modify election dates, adjust terms of office and mandate ranked-choice voting.
“That’s not voter empowerment; that’s judicial activism on steroids,” Inganamort said following the hearing. He added that the bill would create a new public institute to collect election data already being gathered, increasing costs to taxpayers.
Inganamort noted that New Jersey’s voter registration system does not track race, ethnicity, language or sexual orientation, yet lawsuits could be filed under the bill citing those characteristics.
“When you vote, the poll worker checks your name, address, birth date and party affiliation in a primary,” he said. “They don’t track anything else about a voter’s personal characteristics, nor do they want to.”
He also said the bill would ban voter ID requirements, citing public support for photo ID measures, including among minority groups, based on polling data.
Calling the bill “an over-engineered solution in search of a problem,” Inganamort urged lawmakers to reject it.
“It disrespects the professionalism of our election officials, wastes taxpayer dollars adding costs to counties and injects confusion into a system that already works,” he said.
