Bill > A4083

This bill establishes the "John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act of New Jersey," which creates comprehensive voting rights protections with several key provisions. The bill creates a new Division of Voting Rights within the Department of the Treasury to enforce voting rights, with a director appointed by the Governor who will serve a six-year term. The division will have broad powers to investigate voting rights issues, issue subpoenas, conduct research, and take legal action. The bill establishes protections against voter suppression by prohibiting policies that disproportionately burden protected classes (defined as racial, color, or language-minority groups), and creates a preclearance process where certain political subdivisions must get approval from the division before implementing changes to voting policies. The legislation also requires language assistance for communities with significant limited English proficient populations, allows for expanded judicial remedies in voting rights cases, establishes a New Jersey Voting and Elections Institute to maintain voting data, and appropriates $2.5 million to implement these provisions. The bill aims to ensure equitable access to voting, prevent discrimination, and provide robust mechanisms for protecting voting rights across New Jersey, with a particular focus on protecting the voting opportunities of minority communities.

Budget and Finance, Government Affairs

https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/A4083