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 Since 1789, the words “idiot” and “insane” have been part of the New Jersey State Constitution. As offensive and archaic as these words are no effort has been made to delete these words from this important document.

 Until Now.

 On June 20th, the New Jersey General Assembly gave final legislative approval (79 -0) to a resolution, initiated by the New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities’ Monday Morning Project. The resolution allows for a public question on the ballot in November that, if approved by the voters, would amend the state Constitution.  

 The change would amend Article II Section I, paragraph 6, which states:  “No idiot or insane person shall enjoy the right of suffrage.” The new language would designate individuals not qualified to vote in certain circumstances as a “person who has been adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction to lack the capacity to understand the act of voting.”

 The state Senate also unanimously approved the same measure earlier this year. 

We congratulate the Legislature for acting to end 218 years of discriminatory language in our constitution. We particularly thank Senator Richard J. Codey, of West Orange, for first introducing the resolution in the state Senate, and assemblymen Joseph Cryan of Union and Jim Wheelan, of Northfield, who introduced the companion resolution in the Assembly. We appreciate their leadership on this issue.

 We also congratulate all the advocates and organizations that worked so hard on this effort. A demonstration of the wide support for the constitution change throughout the disability community obviously made an impact. Disability organizations such as the ARC of NJ, COSAC, NJ ADAPT, SWOT, the Self Advocacy Project, NJ Protection and Advocacy, joined the NJ Department of the Public Advocate, the League of Women Voters of NJ and numerous self advocates in supporting Monday Morning’s proposal.

 We all agree that using the words “idiot” and “insane” are degrading towards people with disabilities. Having these words as part of our state’s constitution is shameful and should not be tolerated.

 Congratulations to all of us for highlighting this symbol of intolerance and discrimination from a bygone era and working together to do away with it.

 Thank you

Alison Lozano, PhD

Executive Director

NJ Council on Developmental Disabilities