MALDEF

MALDEF POSITION ON NEW JERSEY BALLOT QUESTION

Last November, the Latino community and its allies exercised a substantial and oft-remarked impact on the presidential election, resulting in renewed federal interest in addressing the policy priorities of the Latino community. At the same time, the growth of the Latino voting community has caused some to introduce and implement practices to deter and even prevent voter participation. One of the most important responses to such efforts is to ensure that every eligible voter takes the time and makes the effort to participate in every election, so that we see the same high levels of participation in off-year elections as in presidential elections. Even in this odd-numbered year, there are critical decisions of leadership and policy on ballots in many states across the country. Today, MALDEF releases its position in support of an important measure on the ballot in New Jersey. Perhaps this endorsement will help to make a decision on the measure, but what is always most important is that every voter decide and VOTE.



Sincerely Yours,


Thomas A. Saenz
President and General Counsel
MALDEF


New Jersey Public Question No. 2 : YES.

This measure would raise the minimum wage rate in New Jersey and ensure that the minimum wage rises in the future in response to increases in the cost of living. The measure would boost the New Jersey economy and help to ensure that workers and their families have the necessary resources to enable their children to thrive and to contribute to a bright future.



Founded in 1968, MALDEF is the nation's leading Latino legal civil rights organization. Often described as the "law firm of the Latino community," MALDEF promotes social change through advocacy, communications, community education and litigation in the areas of education, employment, immigrant rights and political access. For more information on MALDEF, please visit: www.maldef.org.

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Copyright 2009 MALDEF — Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund