In the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s misguided rulings in Shelby County v. Holder and Brnovich v. DNC, which invalidated critical parts of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, many states have tested the extent to which they can legally limit citizens’ access to the ballot box through restrictive voting laws. New Jersey must step up to strengthen voting rights protections and break down barriers to accessing the ballot. 

Introduced in March 2024, the John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act of New Jersey would improve the voting process by expanding language access, prohibiting voter discrimination and intimidation, and preventing changes to voting practices without “preclearance” from the state or from a NJ court to assure lack of harm to marginalized voters. New Jersey voters deserve a strong state law that allows them unrestricted access to the ballot. 

Urge your state Senators and Assemblymembers to pass the John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act of New Jersey (A4083/S3009) and restore protections against discriminatory voting laws. 

Background 

The John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act of New Jersey (NJVRA) is named after the voting and civil rights champion Representative John Lewis. In his final message to Americans, Lewis charges "ordinary people" with continuing the work for justice, observing that "Voting and participating in the democratic process are key."  

In 2013, the Supreme Court ruling in Shelby County v. Holder invalidated parts of the Voting Rights Act (VRA). The Court struck down Section 4(b), which contained a formula requiring jurisdictions with a history of discrimination to seek preclearance (or approval) from the Department of Justice when making changes to election procedures. Dissenting to the court's ruling, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg noted, 

"throwing out preclearance when it has worked and is continuing to work to stop discriminatory changes is like throwing away your umbrella in a rainstorm because you are not getting wet." 

Then in 2021, the Supreme Court ruling in Brnovich v. DNC effectively rewrote Section 2 of the VRA and effectively made it more difficult to challenge discriminatory voting laws.  

In the aftermath of the Court’s misguided decisions, many states previously regulated by the invalidated “preclearance" formula have tested the extent to which they can legally limit citizens’ access to the ballot box, by introducing, and in some cases passing, restrictive voting laws. These laws disproportionately restrict voting rights for People of Color, people with disabilities, voters in low-income and rural communities, elderly voters, and young and first-time voters. 

The NJVRA would create a New Jersey preclearance protocol so local governments with a history of discrimination must prove that proposed changes to the voting process will not harm voters of color. Additionally, the bill would: 

• Expand language assistance for voters with limited English proficiency;
• Include protections against voter intimidation, deception, or obstruction at the polls; and
• Ensure local and state voting laws, procedures, and regulations do not deny voters of color and other protected categories of voters the right to cast their vote.

Jewish Values 

Jewish tradition teaches us that the selection of leaders is not a privilege but a collective responsibility. Rabbi Yitzchak taught that “a ruler is not to be appointed unless the community is first consulted” (Babylonian Talmud, B’rachot 55a).  We are also taught: atem nitzavim hayom kulchem (Deuteronomy 29:9) - we are all called to stand before God and actively shape our collective future." In keeping with the insight of this teaching, it is our duty to ensure that all eligible citizens are afforded the opportunity to vote and have their votes counted. The Reform Jewish Movement, long believing that the right to vote is fundamental to American democracy, strongly supports legislation that protects the rights of all citizens to exercise the right to vote. 

For more information 

Visit the RAC-NJ website, or contact Lead Organizer Sarah Blaine or Legislative Assistant Eric Goldberg.

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