ACLU-NJ Celebrates Passage of New Jersey Voter Empowerment Act by Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee

For Immediate Release: June 29, 2026

NEWARK – The Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee advanced the John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act of New Jersey (S282/A1715), a bill that will protect and expand voting rights in New Jersey. The following statement can be attributed to Alejandra Sorto, Associate Director of Civic Engagement at the ACLU of New Jersey:

“We celebrate the advancement of the John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act of New Jersey through the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee. This critical legislation, supported by its prime sponsors Senate President Scutari and Senators Turner and Cryan, will remove barriers to voting that disproportionally harm voters of color across the state, increase language access and assistance, and prohibit deceptive practices at the polls. The Legislature must now swiftly pass and send the strongest possible version of this bill to Governor Sherrill’s desk, to ensure that all voters, especially voters of color, can fully exercise their fundamental right to vote. There is no time to waste – all New Jerseyans deserve to have their voices heard.”

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The ACLU of New Jersey has defended liberty and justice guided by the vision of a fair and equitable New Jersey for all since our founding in 1960. Our mission is to preserve, advance, and expand the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the state and federal constitutions in courts, in the legislature, and in our communities. We strive to be anti-racist and are actively committed to advancing racial justice for the people of New Jersey. We are a non-partisan organization that operates across political, legal, and cultural fronts to bring about change and build a more equitable society. www.aclu-nj.org