Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with Senate amendments and pass a bill that expands voting rights measures and protections for protected classes in New Jersey.

Highlights:

• Establishes as state policy the encouragement of maximum voter participation and equal opportunity for members of protected classes, including racial, color, and language-minority groups, to participate in the political process (Sec. 2)

• Requires state law to be construed in favor of protecting the right to vote (Sec. 2). 

• Prohibits state agencies, local election officers, and political subdivisions from enacting or implementing any voting qualification, practice, or policy that limits access to voting opportunities for members of a protected class, or that impairs a protected class’s ability to participate in the political process (Sec. 5). 

• Prohibits political subdivisions from employing any method of election that impairs the equal opportunity of protected class members to elect candidates of their choice, or influence election outcomes (Sec. 6). 

• Authorizes the Attorney General to enforce this act’s provisions, conduct investigations, issue subpoenas, and litigate on behalf of individuals or the public (Sec. 4). 

• Requires local election offices to provide election materials and assistance in any language spoken by more than 2% of residents or 4,000 individuals (Sec. 12). 

• Requires localities with a history of voter discrimination or low protected class voter participation to obtain preclearance from the Attorney Generals before implementing changes to election policies, including methods of election, polling site locations, voter registration procedures, and language assistance programs (Sec. 13). 

• Prohibits intimidation, deceptive communications, or obstruction targeting voters or election workers (Sec. 15).

• Authorizes aggrieved individuals or organizations to sue in Superior Court for violations of this act and recover injunctive relief, damages, and attorney fees (Sec. 16).

• Appropriates $2.5 million to the Division of Voter Safety for implementation of this act (Sec. 23)

• Specifies that this act takes effect July 1, 2026 (Sec. 24).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that expands voting rights measures and protections for protected classes in New Jersey.

Highlights:

• Establishes as state policy the encouragement of maximum voter participation and equal opportunity for members of protected classes, including racial, color, and language-minority groups, to participate in the political process (Sec. 2)

• Requires state law to be construed in favor of protecting the right to vote (Sec. 2). 

• Prohibits state agencies, local election officers, and political subdivisions from enacting or implementing any voting qualification, practice, or policy that limits access to voting opportunities for members of a protected class, or that impairs a protected class’s ability to participate in the political process (Sec. 5). 

• Prohibits political subdivisions from employing any method of election that impairs the equal opportunity of protected class members to elect candidates of their choice, or influence election outcomes (Sec. 6). 

• Authorizes the Attorney General to enforce this act’s provisions, conduct investigations, issue subpoenas, and litigate on behalf of individuals or the public (Sec. 4). 

• Requires local election offices to provide election materials and assistance in any language spoken by more than 2% of residents or 4,000 individuals (Sec. 12). 

• Requires localities with a history of voter discrimination or low protected class voter participation to obtain preclearance from the Attorney Generals before implementing changes to election policies, including methods of election, polling site locations, voter registration procedures, and language assistance programs (Sec. 13). 

• Prohibits intimidation, deceptive communications, or obstruction targeting voters or election workers (Sec. 15).

• Authorizes aggrieved individuals or organizations to sue in Superior Court for violations of this act and recover injunctive relief, damages, and attorney fees (Sec. 16).

• Appropriates $2.5 million to the Division of Voter Safety for implementation of this act (Sec. 23)

• Specifies that this act takes effect July 1, 2026 (Sec. 24).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that expands voting rights measures and protections for protected classes in New Jersey.

Highlights:

• Establishes as state policy the encouragement of maximum voter participation and equal opportunity for members of protected classes, including racial, color, and language-minority groups, to participate in the political process (Sec. 2)

• Requires state law to be construed in favor of protecting the right to vote (Sec. 2). 

• Prohibits state agencies, local election officers, and political subdivisions from enacting or implementing any voting qualification, practice, or policy that limits access to voting opportunities for members of a protected class, or that impairs a protected class’s ability to participate in the political process (Sec. 5). 

• Prohibits political subdivisions from employing any method of election that impairs the equal opportunity of protected class members to elect candidates of their choice, or influence election outcomes (Sec. 6). 

• Authorizes the Attorney General to enforce this act’s provisions, conduct investigations, issue subpoenas, and litigate on behalf of individuals or the public (Sec. 4). 

• Requires local election offices to provide election materials and assistance in any language spoken by more than 2% of residents or 4,000 individuals (Sec. 12). 

• Requires localities with a history of voter discrimination or low protected class voter participation to obtain preclearance from the Attorney Generals before implementing changes to election policies, including methods of election, polling site locations, voter registration procedures, and language assistance programs (Sec. 13). 

• Prohibits intimidation, deceptive communications, or obstruction targeting voters or election workers (Sec. 15).

• Authorizes aggrieved individuals or organizations to sue in Superior Court for violations of this act and recover injunctive relief, damages, and attorney fees (Sec. 16).

• Appropriates $2.5 million to the Division of Voter Safety for implementation of this act (Sec. 23)

• Specifies that this act takes effect July 1, 2026 (Sec. 24).

Full Bill Text