Governor Sherrill signed landmark voting rights legislation on Thursday, making New Jersey the first state in the nation to enact new state-level voting rights protections following the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision in Louisiana v. Callais.

The new law, known as the John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act of New Jersey, establishes expanded voting rights protections under New Jersey law. Supporters say the measure is designed to ensure minority voters continue to have legal protections against discriminatory election maps and voting practices, even as recent federal court rulings have narrowed the scope of challenges under the federal Voting Rights Act.

Under the new law, individuals and organizations will be able to challenge alleged voting discrimination in New Jersey courts. Judges will have the authority to review election districts and voting practices and order changes if they determine they unlawfully dilute the voting strength of racial or language minority communities.

The legislation makes New Jersey the first state to adopt new voting rights reforms in direct response to the Supreme Court’s decision, which altered the legal framework for certain federal voting rights claims.

In addition to signing the voting rights bill, Governor Sherrill also signed separate legislation clarifying sentencing procedures under certain circumstances in New Jersey’s criminal justice system.