“Our democracy thrives when all voters, regardless of their background, can make their voices heard at the ballot box. I am pleased with today’s decision upholding the constitutionality of New York’s John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act so that all New York voters can fairly and equally participate in our elections. My office will always protect and defend the constitutionality of our laws and New Yorkers’ most sacred right to vote.”
New York Attorney General Letitia James released the following statement after the New York Supreme Court Appellate Division for the Second Department upheld the constitutionality of New York’s John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act (NYVRA) in Clarke v. Newburgh:
- Advertisement -
The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) intervened in Clarke v. Newburgh to defend the constitutionality of the NYVRA’s prohibition against racially discriminatory vote dilution and to ensure that New Yorkers are given equal access to participate in local elections regardless of their race. The decision upholds the constitutionality of the NYVRA’s vote-dilution prohibition and returns the case to the lower court to determine whether the Town of Newburgh’s elections process violates the NYVRA.
Attorney General James has been a leader in protecting voting rights in New York and throughout the nation. In August 2024, Attorney General James successfully defended New York’s Early Mail Voter Act. In April 2024, Attorney General James secured up to $1.25 million from two conspiracy theorists who intimidated Black voters in New York with menacing robocalls. Before every general and primary election, Attorney General James issues alerts to ensure New Yorkers are aware of their voting rights and encourages New Yorkers to contact OAG’s Election Protection Hotline for assistance with voting. In November 2022, Attorney General James issued a statement supporting the Appellate Division, Third Department’s decision upholding New York’s absentee ballot reforms to increase access to the polls.
