TRENTON - The crowd at Union Baptist Church gave a rousing standing ovation of gratitude to Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson (D-15) in recognition of her work on the John R. Lewis Empowerment Act. The Assemblywoman in response thanked her pastor, Simeon Spencer of Union Baptist, for his guidance. It’s time for states to step up to protect voting rights. "With the John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act now law, New Jersey has joined the growing movement of state voting rights acts. By passing our own voting rights, we are making sure that New Jersey voters—especially Black and other voters of color—are protected more by our state law than by federal law."