New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

New Jersey Senate Bill S3488

Introduced
6/24/24  

Caption

Requires Secretary of State to adjust census redistricting data to remove noncitizens for redistricting purposes in this State.

Impact

The implications of Bill S3488 are significant, potentially affecting how legislative and local districts are established in New Jersey. By removing noncitizens from population counts used in redistricting, the bill would likely result in shifts in political power towards districts with higher proportions of citizens. Critics may argue that excluding noncitizens could diminish the true demographic representation of communities, thus leading to consequences in policy-making that may not fully reflect the needs of all residents, including immigrants who contribute to society.

Summary

Bill S3488, introduced in the New Jersey Senate, mandates that the Secretary of State adjust census redistricting data to exclude the noncitizen population for redistricting purposes. This legislative approach reflects concerns about the fairness in representation for American citizens, as it aims to address what the sponsors perceive as an adverse political impact stemming from the current inclusion of noncitizens in census counts. By adjusting the population counts, the bill seeks to ensure that legislative districts are drawn in a way that represents only the citizen population, ostensibly to uphold the principle of equal representation in government.

Contention

S3488 is likely to generate substantial debate regarding its implications on representation and the integrity of the census process. Opponents may contend that the exclusion of noncitizens undermines the democratic principle of including all individuals residing in the state in governmental processes. Supporters of the bill, led by its sponsor Senator Joseph Pennacchio, argue that the bill is essential for preserving the rights of citizens against dilution caused by rising noncitizen populations, particularly in the context of current immigration trends under the Biden administration.

Companion Bills

NJ A4734

Same As Requires Secretary of State to adjust census redistricting data to remove noncitizens for redistricting purposes in this State.

Previously Filed As

NJ S1349

Requires Secretary of State to adjust census redistricting data to remove noncitizens for redistricting purposes in this State.

NJ A307

Requires Secretary of State to adjust census redistricting data to remove noncitizens for redistricting purposes in this State.

NJ A313

"Restoring the Representation of Legal Residents Act;" requires Secretary of State to adjust census apportionment and redistricting data to remove illegal alien population for apportionment and redistricting purposes in this State.

NJ H5274

Requires state use actual residences of persons in government custody for redistricting purposes. Information would be collected by the department of corrections and forwarded to the secretary of state to be utilized for redistricting.

NJ S0524

Requires state use actual residences of persons in government custody for redistricting purposes. Information would be collected by the department of corrections and forwarded to the division of statewide planning, to be utilized for redistricting.

NJ S2304

Requires state use actual residences of persons in government custody for redistricting purposes. Information would be collected by the department of corrections and forwarded to the division of statewide planning, to be utilized for redistricting.

NJ H5538

Requires state use actual residences of persons in government custody for redistricting purposes. Information would be collected by the department of corrections and forwarded to the division of statewide planning, to be utilized for redistricting.

NJ H7668

Requires state use actual residences of persons in government custody for redistricting purposes. Information would be collected by the department of corrections and forwarded to the division of statewide planning, to be utilized for redistricting.

NJ A128

Clarifies timing of adjustments to county district boundaries and municipal ward boundaries following congressional and legislative redistricting.

NJ HJRCA0005

CON AMEND-REDISTRICTING

Similar Bills

NJ S1349

Requires Secretary of State to adjust census redistricting data to remove noncitizens for redistricting purposes in this State.

NJ A307

Requires Secretary of State to adjust census redistricting data to remove noncitizens for redistricting purposes in this State.

US HB7167

Make It Count Act

US HB4798

Making American Elections Great Again Act

MA H855

Extending voting rights in municipal elections to noncitizen voters of the Commonwealth

TX SB964

Relating to the appearance of a personal identification certificate or driver's license issued to a person who is not a citizen of the United States.

MA H810

Extending voting rights in municipal elections to noncitizen voters of the commonwealth

MA S512

Extending voting rights in municipal elections to noncitizen voters of the commonwealth