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 mandates that local election offices provide language assistance to voters from language-minority groups and establishes a preclearance process for new or modified voting policies that may affect voter rights based on race, color, or language-minority status. Political subdivisions with a history of voting rights violations must seek approval from the Attorney General before implementing such policies. The act also creates the New Jersey Voting and Elections Institute to serve as a repository for election data and promote research on voting practices. Overall, the legislation aims to strengthen voting rights, improve electoral accessibility, and ensure fair practices in New Jersey's elections.