Trenton, NJ – Governor Mikie Sherrill today celebrated the enactment of the John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act, landmark legislation signed earlier this month to strengthen voting rights in New Jersey.
This Act makes New Jersey the first state to enact comprehensive statewide voting rights protections following the Supreme Court's decision in Louisiana v. Callais, which effectively dismantled Section 2 of the federal Voting Rights Act. Signed on July 2, 2026, the legislation sets New Jersey on a different path from federal efforts to restrict voting access. The state aims to protect every eligible voter's fundamental right to participate freely, fairly, and securely, while safeguarding election integrity.
Governor Sherrill said the Act honors John Lewis's legacy by strengthening voting rights and expanding ballot access, especially "at a time when those rights are under attack by Donald Trump and Republicans in Washington." Lieutenant Governor Caldwell added, "Every New Jersey voter deserves the freedom to make their voice heard without barriers, intimidation, or discrimination."
The John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act strengthens New Jersey's elections through several key provisions. It establishes state preclearance for jurisdictions with a history of discrimination, prohibits vote dilution, bans voter intimidation and deceptive practices, and authorizes legal actions by the Attorney General and private plaintiffs. The law also expands language assistance and creates a public statewide elections database.
Senate President Pro Tempore Shirley K. Turner, the prime Senate sponsor, said the law "reaffirms New Jersey's commitment to protecting and strengthening access to the ballot box for every eligible voter," particularly for women and communities of color. Assemblywoman Reynolds-Jackson highlighted New Jersey as the 10th state to pass a state VRA, calling it "one of the strongest in the country" and ensuring voters of color are protected more by state law than federal law. Ryan Haygood of the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice stated, "New Jersey did not sit idle," and has now "set an example for all of America."