Expanding access to the ballot box in the Garden State

In New Jersey, voting rights will be protected.

In New Jersey, we believe in holding the doors of our democracy wide open. We know that democracy is at its strongest when more people are eligible to vote and every eligible citizen can make their voice heard.

The right to choose our leaders is a fundamental part of our nation’s history, and perhaps the greatest and most consequential freedom we have as Americans.

But we must face the realities of our time. The conservative majority of the U.S. Supreme Court gutted the landmark Voting Rights Act of 1965, unleashing a wave of voter suppression efforts in Republican-held states. Republicans continue to tout widespread voter fraud in their crusade to limit voting rights, but there is little evidence to support these claims. This steady effort to erode voting rights is meant to overrule the will of the people, particularly seniors, college students, and members of our Black and Brown communities. It is horrifying, dangerous, and un-American.

That’s why we are taking steps to strengthen voting rights in New Jersey. We’re moving the Garden State forward by focusing on ensuring that every eligible New Jerseyan can make their voice heard at the ballot box. Because it should be easier for voters to cast their ballots, not harder.

In 2020, New Jersey had one of the best voter turnouts in the country — over 75 percent of eligible voters cast their ballots. And on youth voter turnout, New Jersey was number one, beating out every other state in the nation.

But we can do more. We’ve proposed same-day voter registration at voting locations, so that no one misses the opportunity to cast their vote if they’re eligible. We have also proposed allowing 17-year-olds to vote in primaries if they turn 18 by Election Day in November. There’s no reason these New Jerseyans shouldn’t have a say in who they can ultimately vote for in the general election.

These proposals will continue the progress we have made over the last four years. I was proud to have signed a historic law instituting automatic voter registration. When you apply for a driver’s license or permit in New Jersey, you’ll now have the option to automatically register to vote. Additionally, you can register to vote online too. We’re making voter registration easy, fast, and something you don’t have to worry about come election season.

In 2020, we expanded vote-by-mail so that New Jerseyans wouldn’t have to choose between voting and staying safe during the height of a pandemic. Now, voting by mail is a cornerstone of making voting accessible, especially for those unable to leave their homes, take off work, or vote in-person.

For the first time ever, New Jerseyans will be able to cast their ballots early in-person for nine days. Voters have multiple avenues and more time to make their voices heard.

Voting also has the power to give people their voices back. Last year, we restored voting rights to nearly 80,000 individuals on probation or parole, ensuring that these New Jerseyans can once again go to the ballot box. Now they can be fully involved in the future of their communities, regardless of their past.

All of these efforts have led to greater participation in the democratic process across our state. But there are some who want to take us back. Come November, we will send a clear message: New Jersey will always stand up for democracy.

In New Jersey, we won’t stop until voting is accessible to all citizens. The power to choose your leaders is the power to choose the direction of your community. Here in the Garden State, we uphold that right, and we will continue to do all we can to move voting rights in New Jersey forward.