Urges US Congress adopt comprehensive voting rights legislation.
The resolution stresses the need for Congress to consider and pass the 'Freedom to Vote Act' and the 'John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act'. Both proposed acts aim to enhance and protect voting rights and access nationwide, which have come under attack in recent years through various restrictive laws. The resolution also reflects New Jersey's recent initiatives to enhance voting access, such as introducing online voter registration, which contributed to record voter turnout in the 2020 election.
Assembly Resolution No. 62 (AR62) urges the United States Congress to adopt comprehensive voting rights legislation. The resolution emphasizes the ongoing threats to voting rights across the United States and highlights the historical context of voting rights advocacy led by figures such as Martin Luther King Jr. It calls attention to the significant progress of voting rights achieved in New Jersey and nationwide since the 1960s, especially the landmark 'Voting Rights Act of 1965' that eliminated various forms of voting discrimination.
While AR62 promotes the expansion and protection of voting access, it also serves as a response to increased efforts by certain states to impose restrictive voting laws that could impede voter participation. The resolution points out the alarming trend of legislations across the country that could suppress votes, and it condemns the dangerous political climate following the insurrection on January 6, 2021, which underscores the urgent need for stronger voting protections. The legislative environment is contentious, with continuous debates over how to balance election integrity and voter accessibility.