Research & Publications

From pushing back against the Trump administration’s inhumane immigration policies and attacks on free speech to successfully advocating for the passage of state-level voting rights legislation, the ACLU of New Jersey and our partners have been hard at work fighting for all those who call the Garden State home. See what we've been up to in the latest issue of the Civil Liberties Reporter.

New Jersey should focus its resources on preventing accidents and saving lives, not conducting non-safety traffic stops that drive racial disparities in policing.

A766/S1670 will eliminate municipal public defender application fees in New Jersey by revoking municipalities’ ability to charge them.

As New Jersey’s top elected leader, Governor Mikie Sherrill has a responsibility to safeguard and advance civil rights and liberties, and fight against federal abuses of power. The people of New Jersey expect and deserve a governor with a strong, demonstrated commitment to a fair and equitable state where the rights of all are defended and protected. Policy decisions made by the Sherrill administration will shape the lives of all New Jerseyans, and the future of our state, for generations to come. To build a fairer future for all, the ACLU of New Jersey encourages Governor Sherrill to prioritize the following list of policy recommendations throughout her tenure. Though inexhaustive, these areas of focus provide a series of integral guiding principles for the Governor and her cabinet. If pursued, these priorities will help ensure that New Jersey is a safer, freer, more welcoming, and more affordable state for all.

Calling for protection and expansion of fundamental rights that are essential to building a fairer and more welcoming New Jersey.

The report estimates a potential return of $2.30 to $3.14 for every dollar invested in New Jersey to provide a right to counsel in eviction proceedings.

In every election, we cast our votes on the issues that impact our communities and our lives. New Jersey’s 2025 election will decide our state’s priorities for years to come. And as attacks on our most fundamental rights continue across the country, the stakes could not be higher.

Since January 20, 2025, the White House has issued a series of executive orders targeting transgender, gender expansive, and intersex people, and attempted to require recipients of federal funding to discriminate against them. In response, we created this resource to help our families and community in New Jersey navigate these recent orders and attempts.