The John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act of New Jersey is designed to enhance voting rights and ensure equitable access to the electoral process, particularly for individuals from protected classes, including racial, color, and language minority groups. The bill establishes a public policy that promotes maximum participation in elections and mandates that state laws related to voting be interpreted in a way that favors the protection of voting rights. It assigns the Attorney General as the chief legal officer responsible for enforcing voting rights, empowering them to conduct investigations, issue subpoenas, and represent the public interest in federal voting rights proceedings. The legislation prohibits voting qualifications or practices that could suppress or dilute votes for protected class members and outlines specific criteria for evaluating potential violations.

Additionally, the bill mandates that local election offices provide language assistance to eligible voters from language-minority groups, ensuring that electoral materials are available in both the designated language and English when certain thresholds of limited English proficiency are met. It introduces a preclearance process for voting qualifications and procedures in political subdivisions with a history of voting rights violations, requiring approval from the Attorney General or a designated court. The act also prohibits intimidation or obstruction of voters and election workers, establishes criteria for violations, and allows for nonpartisan poll monitors at polling sites. Overall, the legislation aims to strengthen protections against voter suppression, promote fair electoral practices, and improve the quality of election-related data, taking effect immediately upon passage.