Voting Rights
Amici curiae the League of Women Voters of New Jersey (“LWVNJ”), Salvation and Social Justice (“SandSJ”), New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice (“NJAIJ”), New Jersey Policy Perspective (“NJPP”), AAPI New Jersey (“AAPI
Racial Justice Advocates Argue Appeals Court Should Affirm Lower Court’s Decision to Stop Use of County Line on New Jersey’s Primary Ballots in June Primary
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NEWARK – In an amicus curiae brief filed today, the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice and Campaign Legal Center – on behalf of the League of Women Voters of New Jersey, Salvation and Social Justice, New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice, New Jersey Policy Perspective, AAPI New Jersey, Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund and Asian American Advancing Justice | AAJC (collectively, “Amici”) – asked the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit to affirm the district court’s ruling in the case of
Brief of Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund, AAPI New Jersey, and Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC as Amici Curae in Support of Plaintiff's Motion For A Preliminary Injunction
Asian Americans remain deeply underrepresented in New Jersey’s politics and elected offices. Though over 11% of the state’s residents are Asian American, only 3% of elected officials in New Jersey identified the same way.2 That disparity is driven in part by the ballot designs under challenge in this case (the “Challenged Ballot Designs”), which erect both (a) barriers to voting that disproportionately harm Asian American voters and (b) barriers to running for office that force Asian American candidates to run on an uneven playing field. These twin barriers preclude
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 (VRA) has been a powerful tool to protect Asian Americans from discrimination and increase the community’s access to the ballot. Unfortunately, this tool has been rendered less effective in the wake of harmful and short-sighted decisions by the Supreme Court, including Shelby County v. Holder, 570 U.S. 2 (2013) (Shelby County) more than a decade ago. As one of the nation’s fastest growing racial groups, Asian Americans are also an increasingly significant part of the electorate.
The 2022 National Poll of Asian American Non-Voters and Voters interviewed 2,800 Asian American citizens about the mid-term elections.
Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Communities in Arizona Celebrate Judicial Decision To Strike Down Key Provisions in State Voting Laws Preventing Widespread Voter Disenfranchisement
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Phoenix, AZ — The federal district court in Phoenix handed down a decision last night that will allow the Arizona Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander for Equity (“AZ AANHPI for Equity”) — represented by Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Asian American Justice Center (Advancing Justice – AAJC), Latham & Watkins, and Spencer Fane —to better help protect and advance the rights of eligible AANHPI voters.
The court decision in Mi Familia Vota v. Fontes et al struck down several key provisions of H.B. 2492 and H.B. 2243 (“Challenged Voting Laws”) providing major wins in protecting eligible, naturalized voters in communities of color.
John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act
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Washington, DC — Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC commends the Senate's introduction of the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act as a significant step towards ensuring full participation from all Americans in our democracy. In this crucial election year, the bill emerges as a beacon for equitable democracy, addressing critical issues akin to the historic Voting Rights Act and responding to the pressing need for legislative action. This is prompted by the devastating 2013 Supreme Court ruling in Shelby v.
Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC Condemns the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Ruling that Threatens the Voting Rights Act
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Washington, D.C. — November 21, 2023 — In a 2-1 decision of the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals, a panel of judges determined that private plaintiffs – such as private citizens and civil rights groups – no longer have the right to bring lawsuits under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act (VRA), which prohibits racial discrimination in voting.
Asian Americans Advancing Justice - AAJC Applauds the Reintroduction of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act
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Washington, D.C. – September 19. 2023 – Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC applauds the reintroduction of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, which would revitalize the VRA.
John C. Yang, president and executive director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC issued the following statement: