A Day of Conversations About Democracy

NJPAC, the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice, and The Fund for New Jersey will host a day of programming dedicated to examining the state of democracy in New Jersey and across the United States.

New Jersey is one of two states scheduled to hold gubernatorial elections in 2025 and campaigning is taking place amid rapid changes introduced by a new presidential administration. The results of these off-year elections in the Garden State are often considered a bellwether for broader national elections.

This day of conversations, presentations, speeches and panel discussions — across two distinct but related events at NJPAC — will examine the current state of American democracy through the lens of civic, social and racial justice, with a special focus on the issues most important to New Jersey.

Sherrilyn Ifill will open the afternoon event — Doubling Down on Democracy: Conversations about the Way Forward — with a keynote address at 1 pm.

Following the keynote, two interactive panels will offer the perspectives of local policy experts on two hot-button issues. The first panel will address immigration and the impact of new federal policies governing deportation and naturalization. The second panel will examine New Jersey’s laws and policies regarding voting rights, ballot design, the census and more.

Tickets for the afternoon event cost $15, and lunch is included.

The conversation will continue at 6:30 pm with a free social justice forum featuring candidates running for governor in New Jersey. All of the candidates campaigning for governor were invited. Six will appear at this event: Mayor of Newark Ras J. Baraka, NJ State Sen. Jon Bramnick, Mayor of Jersey City Steven Fulop, U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill, New Jersey Education Association President Sean Spiller and former NJ Senate President Steve Sweeney.

This bipartisan group of candidates will share their perspectives on a range of important social justice topics.

The candidates’ forum is free to attend. Advance registration is required.