(TRENTON) – Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson and Assemblyman Gary Schaer on Tuesday celebrated the signing of legislation they sponsored to make New Jersey the 12th state to establish automatic voter registration.
The law (A-2014) automatically registers and updates voter registration for those applying for a driver’s license, examination permit, probationary driver’s license or non-driver identification card is now law.
It was signed Tuesday by Gov. Phil Murphy
Coughlin (D-Middlesex):
“Today is a great day for democracy in New Jersey. Today we affirm New Jersey’s belief in access to voting, and today we affirm that we believe in greater participation in the democratic process. Because today we make it easier for everyone to take advantage of one of the great privileges – and that is the right to vote.”
Reynolds-Jackson (D-Mercer/Hunterdon):
“The right to vote is a sacred one, and it’s hard to believe at different points in our history that this fundamental right was denied to people that look like me. That’s why it’s so important that we encourage people to exercise the right to vote as often as possible.”
Coughlin (D-Middlesex):
“The new law accomplishes something we can all and should all agree upon – that encouraging more participation in the democratic process is a great thing. The bill modernizes our voter registration system, and by so doing, will empower many more voters to participate in a more robust democracy.”
Schaer (D-Passaic/Bergen):
“This law allows greater participation in the democratic process, and by allowing greater participation enhances the democratic process, enhances the diversity of this state, the opinions, the various thoughts and processes that go on.”
Reynolds-Jackson (D-Mercer/Hunterdon):
“We have seen young people rise up to the occasion. They have led rallies and marches against powerful forces and stood up to critics who try to downplay their activism. If we can harness this energy, and all of these young people get excited about being participants – active participants – in our democracy, we might change the world.”
Coughlin (D-Middlesex):
“We all know that voting rights have been the subject of fights in many states across the nation, but New Jersey sends a different message today. Automatic voter registration is a nonpartisan solution to ensuring that American democracy is secure – and that is one of the most important legacies we can leave to the future generations.”
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