Elected officials, advocates and community leaders joined together on Monday to celebrate Juneteenth and witness the signing of the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act of New York.

The new law is aimed at combatting different forms of voter suppression and intimidation. Gov. Kathy Hochul says the right to vote needs to be protected.

“There are so many fights to be had, and one of them is protecting the right to vote,” said Hochul, “because our democracy only works if everyone who is available can participate in it and that the rights of the voters are respected.”

Assembly Member Latrice Walker mentioned one form of voter suppression, which is the relocation of voting sites. The bill signed Monday will require any changes to election policies or practices to go through a pre-clearance process

State Sen. Zellnor Myrie was also in attendance, and stated that the law aims to protect those who are of racial or ethnic minority groups and who struggle with understanding English while trying to vote.

Elected officials say that the new piece of legislation will go into full effect in July of next year.