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The world of democracy and voting rights is no different. Last week, we highlighted just a few of the change-makers that allow organizations like the League to exist today. Now, we'd like to highlight a few that we know very well: members of Team LWV.

We need you to be the leader that will get these bills across the finish line. Protecting voting rights is the key to addressing all the issues that are keeping all of us up at night.  

Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15 – Oct. 15) is a time to recognize and celebrate the achievements and contributions of Hispanic and Latinx Americans. This month, I want to highlight four trailblazers who’ve fought for the rights of women and paved the way for the next generation of civil rights activists.   

For those who experience pregnancy, our basic freedoms hinge on our ability to make choices about our reproductive health. Our physical and psychological health, ability to gain and maintain employment, financial resources, and even what we can and cannot eat are all dependent on our reproductive choices. 

This year, we've seen firsthand how registering people to vote creates a stronger, more representative America. Americans are taking part in our democracy in full force – and now is our chance to make sure they’re ready to vote in the sure-to-be historic 2022 midterm elections.  

Dark money and special interests do not need extra loopholes to undermine democracy. The League is committed to protecting our disclosure laws and preserving the ethics and accountability of our electoral system. 

This week, the US Senate introduced new legislation that protects and expands the right to vote, decreases the influence of money in politics, and curbs partisan gerrymandering. The Freedom to Vote Act will set national standards to make sure all Americans can cast their ballots in the way that works best for them, regardless of their age, race, sex, language, or zip code. 

On September 16, 2021, the U.S. Census Bureau will deliver their final resources to states to use for redistricting.  The delivery of this final set of resources is the culmination of years of hard work by career staff at the US Census Bureau.  

Like in years past, LWVUS was an official partner of the 2020 Census, helping to prepare and share tools and information to local and state Leagues as they engaged their communities. 

In early September 2021, Texas Governor Greg Abbot signed Senate Bill 1 (SB1) into law. This anti-voter legislation makes it virtually impossible for certain voters to cast their ballots. 

Yet shockingly, the situation was almost worse. If not for pro-voter advocacy by the Texas League and other voting rights allies, even more restrictive policies might have been enacted, further disempowering Texans and degrading the promise of democracy.