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, ethnic, 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 prioritizes the protection of voting rights. It outlines the responsibilities of the Attorney General in enforcing these rights, including conducting investigations and representing the public interest in federal voting rights proceedings. The legislation also prohibits voting qualifications or practices that could suppress or dilute votes for protected class members and emphasizes the need for substantial evidence to justify any changes to voting practices.

Additionally, the bill introduces a preclearance process for political subdivisions with a history of voting rights violations, requiring the Attorney General's approval for new voting policies. It mandates that local election offices provide language assistance to eligible voters from language-minority groups, ensuring that electoral materials are available in multiple languages. The act also establishes the New Jersey Voting and Elections Institute to maintain a centralized database of election data and promote research on voting practices. Overall, the legislation aims to strengthen the integrity of the electoral process, protect the voting rights of all citizens, and ensure that no policies dilute the voting power of protected classes.