TINTON FALLS — The public is invited to learn more about the effects of new voting laws at a free program jointly sponsored by the Greater Red BankArea League of Women Voters and the Social Action Committee of Monmouth Reform Temple on Monday, April 16.
The event will begin at 7 p.m. at the temple, 332 HanceAve., Tinton Falls. Jonathan Brater, counsel for the Brennan Center’s Democracy Program at NYU School of Law, will discuss recent changes in voter identification requirements and other voting laws, which, according to the league, could make it more difficult for up to five million eligible voters to cast ballots in 2012. Other concerns related to voting by mail, voter registration drives and possible future changes in New Jersey will also be discussed. For more information, contact Madelyne Ryterband at 732-530-4027.
According to a press release from the league, in 2011, state governments across the country enacted new laws making it difficult to register or to vote. Examples cited include requirements that voters show government issued photo identification, which the league states as many as one in 10 voters do not have. Voter ID laws were enacted in eight states in 2011 and have been introduced in at least 34 states.
Voter identification laws, along with other restrictive voting laws enacted in the 2011-12 legislative session, could have a significant effect on the 2012 election. All told, these new laws could make it more difficult for up to five million eligible voters to cast ballots in 2012. The effects of voter identification laws could be felt most strongly by members of minority groups, students and older voters, who are less likely to have access to government-issued photo identification than other citizens. Supporters of voter identification laws often cite the need to prevent voter fraud; however, in-person voter impersonation, which is the only type of voter fraud that these laws prevent, is extremely rare, calling into question the wisdom of this policy.