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ADL Welcomes Settlement to Ensure Voter Registration Access Through NJ Public Assistance Agencies

  • July 18, 2016

New York, NY, July 18, 2016… The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) welcomed a settlement announced last week which would ensure that low-income citizens of New Jersey are provided voter registration services through public assistance agencies, as required by the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA).  The settlement follows allegations that the New Jersey Department of Human Services had not been offering voter registration to public assistance clients on SNAP, TANF, and Medicaid, in violation of Section 7 of the NVRA.

Joshua Cohen, ADL Regional Director in North and Central New Jersey, and Nancy Baron-Baer, ADL Regional Director in Eastern Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey, and Delaware, released the following statement:

“We welcome last week’s announced settlement between New Jersey state officials and voting rights advocates putting in place a plan, which incorporates policy and procedure changes and training, to ensure that citizens are offered voter registration services through the state’s public assistance agencies.  This is an important step forward for voting rights and equality.  Over twenty years ago, Congress passed the NVRA to make it easier for Americans to exercise their constitutional rights to register and vote.  Voter registration services through state public assistances offices is a critical piece to the NVRA to ensure that all eligible voters can register to vote.   The settlement sends an important message about equal access to the ballot box, and will help protect the fundamental right to vote for all citizens of New Jersey.”

 

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world’s leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.

Source: Press Release
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