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League of Women Voters Responds to Arrest of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka

Today, the League of Women Voters of the United States and the League of Women Voters of New Jersey released the following joint statement in response to the arrest of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka outside an ICE detention facility in New Jersey:

“We are deeply alarmed over the arrest of Mayor Baraka while attempting to investigate the condition and treatment of detainees in his city. Mayor Baraka was joined by Members of Congress, who are lawfully able to visit detention centers. Efforts to expose injustice should never be met with obstruction or criminalization by the government.

“As a nonpartisan pro-democracy organization, we are deeply alarmed by the ongoing ICE detentions, which fly in the face of due process and human rights. These actions undermine the democratic values of fairness, accountability, and equal treatment under the law.

“In a democracy, holding institutions accountable should be protected — not punished. The League of Women Voters will continue to defend our country’s principles and speak out when there is executive overreach and whenever people's rights are denied — especially by the government. We believe silence in the face of injustice is not an option. We call on the President to immediately stop these unlawful actions and for Congress to stand up for fellow members of Congress impacted by this event."

The League of Women Voters Statement on Presidential Immunity
LWV ON IMMUNITY

LWV NJ Responds to Arrest of Ras Baraka
(May 11, 2025)
LWVNJ Newark ICE

Supreme Court Reinforces Role of State Courts in Protecting Voters

READ THE PRESS RELEASE

League of Women Voters Guide to Policy Positions

IMPACT ON ISSUES

MEMBERSHIP UPDATES

In February 2025, the national League of Women Voters is transitioning to a new membership structure to get more people around the country involved in empowering voters and defending democracy.

This guide will help you understand what these changes mean for you — and what we’ll need you to do.

For more details, check the Membership Page

ERA PRESENTATION

At our January meeting, Rebecca Goldman spoke on the ERA-- history, current status and future.
Read more on our LWVLT Meetings page

Watch the recording.

Understanding Local Government

Watch the panel discussion with local leaders, including Lawrence Township Mayor Patricia Hendricks Farmer, Trenton Councilwoman Crystal Feliciano, Lawrence EGAC Chair Annette Loveless, and Lawrence Board of Education President Michele Bowes. This event was hosted by the League of Women Voters of Lawrence Township and co-sponsored by the Mercer County Library System Lawrence Headquarters branch.

WATCH ON YOUTUBE

REPARATIONS TASK FORCE

A reparations study was approved at the 65th Biennial State Convention of the League of Women Voters of New Jersey held June 10, 2023. The scope of the study is to review the evidence for and against taking a position in support of Reparations for Black/African Americans. A study committee was formed.
On January 14, a webinar on the report was held via Zoom with panelists Assemblywoman Shavonda Sumter, Jean-Pierre Brutus from New Jersey Institute for Social Justice and Steve Lestition, Lawrence LWV member and member of the Reparations Task Force.
REPARATIONS TASK FORCE RECORDING

Local leagues will be asked to study the findings in the report.
The full report can be found here:
Reparations Study Materials

We -- along with leagues all over the state -- will be discussing the findings in the report and answering the consensus questions on page 45-46 of the report. Our monthly February meeting will focus on the above materials and will be held via Zoom.

The Symbolic Re-enactment of the Passing the Torch Ceremony on Sunday, August 23, 2020 at the Lumberville/Raven Rock Pedestrian Bridge on the NJ/PA state line was a great success. The centennial observance of winning the long fight for women's suffrage was the brainchild of Ellen Maak.

The League "punches above its weight."

READ WHAT WE DID IN 2024!

Rooted in the century-long movement that secured the right to vote for women, the League of Women Voters has worked to foster civic engagement and enhance access to the vote since our founding in 1920.

Educate.

Advocate.

Empower.

AT 100+ YEARS

Over time our work has evolved from efforts to gain and foster women’s suffrage to ensuring that all eligible voters -- particularly those from traditionally underrepresented or under-served communities, including first-time voters, non-college youth, new citizens, minorities, the elderly and voters with disabilities -- have the opportunity and the information to exercise their right to vote.

Our tireless volunteers at Mercer County Community College!

NONPARTISAN

The League is proud to be nonpartisan, neither supporting or opposing candidates or political parties at any level of government, but always working on vital issues of concern to members and the public.

We welcome women, men, young adults, and teens to join our League.

Dues are $75 per year.

LWVUS does have a pay-what-you-can option for those on a tight budget.

JOIN NOW