July 2, 2026
TRENTON – Gov. Mikie Sherill today signed the John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act into law, making New Jersey the 10th state to pass its own state voting rights act and the first to enact protections since the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Louisiana v Callais.
“New Jersey voters are now protected by one of the strongest voting rights acts in the entire country,” said Nuzhat Chowdhury, Director of the Democracy & Justice Program at the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice. “This is an incredible win for New Jersey voters, especially Black, Brown and other voters of color who have faced barriers to the ballot for generations, and a historic milestone for our state’s democracy. Thank you to prime sponsors Assemblywoman Reynolds-Jackson, Senate President Scutari, and Senator Turner, as well as Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell for their leadership in championing this bill and for Gov. Mikie Sherrill for signing it into law so quickly.”
The law incorporates former federal voting rights protections into state law; helps prevent discriminatory voting changes in certain jurisdictions by requiring “preclearance” from the state to ensure lack of harm to voters of color; expands assistance at the polls and language access for voting and voter information; and prohibits voter discrimination and intimidation.
The John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act was introduced in 2022 as the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act.
Nine states, including New York and Connecticut, have already passed state-level voting rights acts.
The Institute was proud to lead group of the 60-plus state and national organizations that make up the NJVRA NOW Coalition. For a full list of the NJVRA Now Coalition, click here.
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