NYCLU on Signing of Landmark Voting Rights Bill

ALBANY — Following Gov. Hochul’s signing of the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act of New York (NYVRA / S1046B), the New York Civil Liberties Union issued the following statement from Executive Director Donna Lieberman:

“Amidst a backdrop of nationwide attacks on voting and a lack of federal leadership, New York just enacted one of the strongest voting rights laws in the nation. Today, Governor Hochul made an enormous stride toward ensuring communities that have historically been denied an equal opportunity to participate in the political process can cast a meaningful ballot without obstruction, interference, or discrimination. As we work to implement the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act — from challenging racial gerrymandering and voter intimidation to expanding language assistance and polling access — we must ensure its protections remain strong. Lawmakers must resist any attempt to walk back our progress and must fight to protect the right to vote.”

The New York Civil Liberties Union advocated heavily for the passage of this bill. The organization:

• Testified in support of the bill
• Educated New York audiences on the need for a robust voting rights protections (Read: Another view: Voting rights violations are not confined to ‘red’ states)
• Mobilized New Yorkers through phone banking, virtual town halls, a lobbying workshop, and rallies
• Drove thousands of supporters to take action by reaching out to their elected officials through digital organizing and our social media platforms
• Co-led a letter signed by more than 70 organizations to Governor Hochul, Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins, and Speaker Heastie, urging the enactment of the NYVRA

For more information about the NYVRA, see this white paper or this fact sheet.