In recent years, the United States Supreme Court has eroded long-standing voting rights protections provided under the federal Voting Rights act of 1965. These actions have led and enabled states across the country to pass widespread voting restrictions and anti-democratic legislation and governance. Despite racial gerrymandering, voter suppression, and election interference, voting remains a cornerstone of our democracy and the fundamental right upon which all civil liberties rest. Though New Jersey has taken important steps to expand access to the ballot in recent years, many barriers still exist that disproportionately harm communities of color. For our state to live up to its values, transformational change is needed to ensure that voting rights are protected and expanded for all New Jerseyans.
The ACLU-NJ has been advocating at the state house and the courthouse to advance voting rights for all who call our state home. Earlier this year, the ACLU-NJ supported a lawsuit challenging New Jersey’s “county line” primary ballot system, arguing that it violated constitutional rights. A federal appeals court agreed and, for the first time in decades, this year’s Democratic Primary moved away from the county line design. This change was one step in the movement toward fairer elections.
But for New Jersey to achieve comprehensive change that protects and expands the right to vote, there is still much more to be done. That includes advancing legislation to increase access to the ballot and dismantle longstanding barriers preventing many Black and brown New Jerseyans from exercising their fundamental right to vote.
The John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act of New Jersey – or the New Jersey Voting Rights Act (NJVRA) – will establish protections against voter discrimination and confront barriers to voter participation. The NJVRA will also increase language access and assistance when voting, prohibit deceptive practices at the polls, and ensure that communities of color have their voices heard at the ballot box. Passing the NJVRA will finally bring New Jersey toward a modernized and inclusive approach to voting rights and democratic participation.
It’s imperative that when enacting these protections that New Jersey also takes necessary steps to ensure that voting is as accessible as possible. The protections of the NJVRA will more fully live up to their promise if further logistical and administrative support is provided in tandem. That’s why the ACLU-NJ and our partners are calling on New Jersey lawmakers to enact same-day voter registration.
Currently, to cast a ballot in New Jersey, voters must register at least 21 days before an election. This arbitrary restriction is counter to modern election infrastructure and technology, and it prevents thousands of qualified New Jerseyans from participating in our democracy. Same-day registration streamlines the voting process, eases the burden on voters, and increases voter participation. Today, New Jersey lags behind more than 20 other states that have already enacted same-day voter registration – it’s time for our state to do its part.
As we look toward the future, our state has proven it’s possible to achieve meaningful change in the face of national challenges, but to do so New Jersey must keep pushing the envelope. This legislative session, lawmakers are considering a bill that would allow 16- and 17-year-olds to participate in school board elections. Not only should legislators pass this bill to empower students to engage with the decisions that shape their education every day, but they should also consider lowering the voting age for general elections, too. By including young people in elections at an earlier age, they will begin to build a lifelong habit of civic participation sooner, which will only help to make our democracy stronger.
Voting is power, and New Jerseyans deserve a strong, inclusive, and representative democracy where every voice is heard. Lawmakers have a crucial opportunity to make our state a national leader in protecting and strengthening voting rights by passing the NJVRA. At a time when voter suppression and discrimination are on the rise across the nation, New Jersey has an obligation to lead by example in expanding access to the ballot box – civil rights and civil liberties depend on it.
Originally published on December 5, 2024 at https://www.publicsq.org/latest-articles/aclu-ballot-nj.
