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New Jersey Voting Logistics
Election season is upon us! Here is your 2024 New Jersey voting logistics update - and we would love it if you would share your voting plan with us.
Voting Rights
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Free and fair elections are a cornerstone of democracy. However, for the duration of its history, the United States has been plagued by disenfranchisement and voter suppression. The 1965 Voting Rights Act, partly drafted in the Religious Action Center's library, was a monumental step forward in protecting the freedom to vote. It helped block laws that denied Americans the equal right to vote based on race and enacted federal voting protections. Yet in the past two decades, Americans' access to the ballot box has been curtailed through a range of actions.
The 2013 Shelby v. Holder Supreme Court decision gutted a crucial part of the Voting Rights Act which contained a formula requiring certain areas with a history of disenfranchisement problems to seek pre-clearance from the Department of Justice when making changes to election procedures. Just 24 hours after the release of the Shelby decision, Texas announced a plan to implement a strict photo ID requirement for voting. Since then, more than 440 laws that would restrict American's freedom to vote have been introduced in 49 states, which would overwhelmingly impact and limit access to the ballot for Communities of Color. Along with our partners, the Reform Movement continues to push for a restoration of the voting rights act and efforts to ensure equal access to the freedom to vote so that the promise of democracy is made real for us all.
The RAC's work on voting rights and democracy is made possible in part by the Leo and Libby Nevas Foundation.
Talk for a Change Democracy Questions
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Request your free download: Every Voice Matters: Conversations about Voting & Democracy, with conversation questions to foster respectful, open-hearted conversations in this election season, and beyond. For teens and adults.
Grow a Good Citizen: Every Voice, Every Vote
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Download our free Grow a Good Citizen: Every Voice, Every Vote activity book for kids ages 5-12, crafted with content from Highlights Magazine. It's packed with inspiring short stories, engaging games, and mind-teasing puzzles that educate and inspire action around voting and democracy, to help make sure everyone's voice is heard.
Grow a Good Citizen: Talking with Kids about Voting and Democracy
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Talking with your kids about democracy and the election process communicates your values and helps children make sense of what they may hear on TV, at school, from friends, and around the dinner table. Download our free guide.
Take Action
Urge your Senators to pass the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act
The Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act (H.R. 5746) would restore critical protections against racially discriminatory laws and move us toward a democracy that responds to the needs and priorities of voters. The right to vote is fundamental in a democracy and we must ensure that elections are accessible for all. Filibuster reform, if needed to pass this critical bill, and the provisions in this bill are essential to ensure that Americans’ freedom to vote is protected.
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What's New
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Votes not Violence: Confronting the Toxicity of our Political Culture
This past weekend's political violence reminds us that political disagreements should be expressed through voting, not violence. Indeed, it is more important than ever that everyone has an opportunity to vote and have their vote counted in the November 2024 election.
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Teens Urge Congress to Protect Voting Rights
This Independence Day, we a pleased share a speech about voting rights written by Larkin B. and Noah F. from Congregation Emanu El in Houston, Texas.
Related Press Releases
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Reform Movement Celebrates the Reintroduction of the Freedom to Vote Act
“We applaud Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Representative John Sarbanes (D-MD-3) for reintroducing the Freedom to Vote Act, which protects and expands voting rights, ends partisan gerrymandering, implements critical campaign finance reforms, and helps safeguard our electoral process."
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Reform Movement Celebrates Supreme Court Decision in Moore v. Harper
In response to the Supreme Court's decision in Moore v. Harper, Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, issued the following statement on behalf of the Union for Reform Judaism, Central Conference of American Rabbis, and wider Reform Movement.
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Reform Movement Applauds Supreme Court’s Decision in Allen v. Milligan
In response to the Supreme Court’s decision in Allen v. Milligan, Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, issued the following statement on behalf of the Union for Reform Judaism, Central Conference of American Rabbis, and wider Reform Movement:
Reform Judaism's Resolutions on Civil Rights and Voting Rights
Learn more about the position of the Reform Movement on these key issues, and read the formal resolutions by URJ and CCAR.
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RAC Legislative Updates
Learn more about the RAC's key issues and get involved by signing up for the legislative updates newsletter.
Contact Our Legislative Assistants
For more information on this issue, Contact Eisendrath Legislative Assistant Israel Harris at (202) 543 3651.
