Watson Coleman Applauds the "Democracy Act"
For Immediate Release
Washington, DC (June 16, 2015) ― Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman issued the following statement after Democratic New Jersey state lawmakers introduced the “Democracy Act,” aimed at increasing voter turnout and providing additional opportunities to vote in the state:
“I applaud my former colleagues for introducing this bill, and for their continued effort to place New Jersey ahead of the national curve. This is an issue that both the Black and Latino Caucuses have been focused on for some time. The basic changes called for in this legislation will ensure that even more New Jerseyans are able to participate in the democratic process, ensuring elected officials truly represent the voices of their constituents.
“The right to vote is the foundation of our democracy, and as such it should be something that policy makers consistently fight to expand. Instead, that fundamental right ― a right for which many Americans had to fight ― has been constricted and reduced in recent years amid grossly exaggerated and frequently false allegations of voter fraud. That’s why I support federal changes like those found in the Automatic Voter Registration Act, to offer as many opportunities to engage in the election process as possible.
“In a nation whose founding documents begin with ‘We the people of the United States,’ local, state, and federal government should champion the cause of ensuring every single American can make their voice heard with as little difficulty as possible. The Democracy Act is a model for the whole country to follow, and I urge my colleagues in Washington to pay close attention.”