Senate Passes John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act Of New York

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The New York State Senate passed the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act of New York among additional measures to establish the strongest state protections of an individual’s right to vote in the nation. Named after civil rights activist and American statesman Rep. John R. Lewis, the NYVRA and other voter protections will prohibit deceptive and suppressive voter practices, establish a voting and elections database, and make electronic election interference a misdemeanor crime.

Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said, “The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act of New York and the additional voting rights legislation being passed, one of which I am proud to sponsor, will expand and codify voter protections, empower citizens at the ballot box, and promote accountability among elected officials. I am proud that New York is standing as a true bastion of voting rights despite the anti-democratic rollbacks being set forth by Republicans across the nation. I thank the bill sponsors, Chair of the Elections Committee, Senator Myrie, and Senator Kaplan for joining me in our collective efforts to continue supporting the Democratic Majority’s advocacy on this issue.”

Senator Zellnor Myrie, bill sponsor and Chair of the Senate Elections Committee said, “John Lewis said that to preserve democracy, ‘each generation must do its part.’ By adopting the strongest voter protection law of any state in the country, today the Senate Majority is doing its part. While states across the country have worked overtime to restrict voting rights, the New York VRA will strengthen protections for all voters, especially those who have historically been disenfranchised. The right to vote protects every other right we have, and I look forward to the VRA becoming the law of the land here in New York State.”The New York State Senate passed the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act of New York among additional measures to establish the strongest state protections of an individual’s right to vote in the nation. Named after civil rights activist and American statesman Rep. John R. Lewis, the NYVRA and other voter protections will prohibit deceptive and suppressive voter practices, establish a voting and elections database, and make electronic election interference a misdemeanor crime.

The press release can be viewed here