Abrams Fensterman Partner and Westchester County Legislator, David Imamura, was featured on News12‘s “Power and Politics” to discuss the future of the New York Voting Rights Act (NYVRA) following a significant appellate court ruling.
When asked about the recent appeal reinstating the NYVRA, Imamura stated:
“It’s a long road ahead but I was very hopeful coming out of this and we always thought the law was constitutional. We are happy that we were vindicated in that by the Appellate Division’s decision.”
About the case
In 2022, New York’s state legislature passed the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act of New York (NYVRA), which allows historically marginalized and disenfranchised communities to sue to compel changes in the electoral system in their municipalities. The law aims to ensure fair representation in local governments where Black and Hispanic voters have historically been underrepresented.
Abrams Fensterman is now representing clients in both Newburgh and Mount Pleasant, two municipalities where minority populations make up a significant portion of the community but have not been afforded adequate representation.
Initially, a trial court judge struck down the NYVRA, ruling it unconstitutional. However, the New York Attorney General intervened in support of the law and appealed the decision. In just three months, the Appellate Division reversed the ruling, allowing the case—and the NYVRA—to move forward.
