Reform Proposals
The New Jersey Institute for Social Justice, LDF and Harvard Law School’s Election Law Clinic Release NVRA NOW: Why New Jersey Needs its Own Voting Rights Act
The New Jersey institute for Social Justice, the Legal Defense Fund and the Election Law Clinic at Harvard Law School today released NJVRA NOW: Why New Jersey Needs its Own Voting Rights Act, a report making the case for why New Jersey must pass its own voting rights act. To read the report click here.
Guide to State Litigation Challenging Partisan Gerrymanders
After the U.S. Supreme Court precluded federal courts from hearing challenges to partisan gerrymandered districts, reformers looked to state courts as viable alternatives. The Center for Election Reform prepared a guide in August, 2023 including three possible state litigation approaches. These include finding violations of state (1) redistricting standards; (2) equal protection clauses; and (3) clauses specifically requiring elections to be “free and equal,” “free and open,” and “free.” The following guide briefly details the states where such challenges may be viable. To read the guide click here.
State Commission of Investigation’s Final Report evaluating the 2021 New Jersey’s Congressional Redistricting Process
The State Commission of Investigation (SCI) investigated the workings of the 2021 Congressional Redistricting Commission. The investigation began after a claim was made that the Commission had used manipulated data to adopt the final map. The SCI found no manipulation of data. But to improve the process recommended changes to make the process more transparent, accountable, and consistent. They recommended that the state should adopt a clear role and authority for the Commission chair, codify redistricting standards, and provide greater transparency in the process including requiring maps that were being seriously considered to be disclosed to the public for comment. Please click here to review the report and recommendations.