Official Site of The State of New Jersey

New Jersey Secretary of State Tahesha Way's Election Message

As Secretary of State, it is my legal and moral obligation to ensure ballot access to qualified voters. I am interested in boosting participation and combating the disturbing trend of voter suppression we’ve witnessed around the country.

The surest way to keep government honest is utilizing the franchise of voting. What many people don’t realize is how the right to vote did not come easily. Consider the fact that the 19th Amendment—guaranteeing women that right—was not adopted until 1920. That isn’t so long ago. Before that, women were shut out of voting booths.

As Frederick Douglass said: “Educate your sons and daughters, send them to school, and show them that beside the cartridge box, the ballot box, and the jury box, you also have the knowledge box.”