We Can Restore Voting Rights in NJ Too!
Last Tuesday, voters in Florida overwhelmingly passed Amendment 4 and restored voting rights to 1.4 million people. NJ can be the next state to restore voting rights to people with criminal convictions! Contact your 3 state legislators and urge them to support bill S2100/A3456!!
New Jersey’s criminal justice system is characterized by racial disparities. People of color are incarcerated at higher rates than white people committing the same crimes. If we connect voting rights to the criminal justice system, this means that our state is disproportionately disenfranchising people of color. Advocates for expanding access to the ballot argue that there is no reason to prevent people who are incarcerated, on probation, or on parole from voting. Two states, Maine and Vermont, do not restrict voting rights for incarcerated people at all. In fact, being able to vote might help people with convictions make a smoother return to their communities after serving their sentences. Let’s end New Jersey’s voting restrictions for people with criminal convictions, and stop disproportionately disenfranchising black people! Let’s pass bill S2100/A3456! Here’s what you need to do:
Contact your 1 state senator and 2 state assembly members and urge them to support bill S2100/A3456:
LD 14
- Sen. Linda Greenstein (D): 609-395-9911 or SenGreenstein@njleg.org
- Asm. Daniel Benson (D): 609-631-0198 or AsmBenson@njleg.org
- Asm. Wayne DeAngelo (D): 609-631-7501 or AsmDeAngelo@njleg.org
LD 15
- Sen. Shirley Turner (D): 609-323-7239 or SenTurner@njleg.org
- Asw. Verlina Reynolds-Jackson (D): 609-571-9638 or AswReynoldsJackson@njleg.org
- Asm. Anthony Verrelli (D): 609-571-9638 or AsmVerrelli@njleg.org
LD 16
- Sen. Kip Bateman (R): 908-526-3600 or SenBateman@njleg.org
- Asm. Roy Freiman (D): 908-829-4191 or AsmFreiman@njleg.org
- Asm. Andrew Zwicker (D): 732-823-1684 or AsmZwicker@njleg.org
LD 17
- Sen. Bob Smith (D): 732-752-0770 or SenSmith@njleg.org
- Asm. Joe Danielsen (D): 732-247-3999 or AsmDanielsen@njleg.org
- Asm. Joseph Egan (D): 732-249-4550 or AsmEgan@njleg.org
(Not sure which state legislative district you’re in? Find out here.)
Your talking points:
- Florida just restored voting rights for people with criminal convictions. Let’s do it in NJ too!
- Please support and co-sponsor bill S2100/A3456.
- Felon disenfranchisement disproportionately effects people of color. Nearly 50% of the people who can’t vote in NJ because they are incarcerated, on probation, or on parole, are black, even though only 15% of NJ’s population is black.
- People don’t lose other constitutionally-guaranteed rights when they have a criminal conviction. Why should they lose the constitutionally-guaranteed right to vote?
- Maine and Vermont allow people who are incarcerated, on probation, or on parole to vote. Why can’t NJ follow their lead?
- (Be sure to mention your address or zip code, so your legislators know you are their constituent!)