Sherrill Signs John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act Into Law, Creating New Jersey's Own Voting Rights Stat
Gov. Mikie Sherrill on Thursday signed the John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act of New Jersey into law, making New Jersey the tenth state to enact its own voting rights law.
The new law, named for the late Georgia congressman and civil rights leader John R. Lewis, was approved by the Legislature on Tuesday along party lines after months of debate and amendments.
The legislation was sponsored in the Senate by Senate President Nick Scutari, Senate President Pro Tempore Shirley Turner (D-Lawrence), and Sen. Joe Cryan (D-Union). Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson (D-Trenton) was the Assembly prime sponsor.
The law declares it to be New Jersey’s public policy to encourage participation by all eligible voters and ensure that members of protected classes, including racial, color, and language-minority groups, have an equal opportunity to participate in the political process. It directs courts to interpret voting laws liberally to protect the right to vote and ensure equitable access to voter registration and elections.
https://newjerseyglobe.com/campaigns/sherrill-signs-john-r-lewis-voter-empowerment-act-into-law-creating-new-jerseys-own-voting-rights-statute/