The Voting Rights Act (VRA) is one of the most significant pieces of legislation in our nation’s history. It cleared the way for Black, brown, Asian American, and Native Voters to vote free from discrimination and established several protective provisions that were originally set to expire in 1970.
Yet, as voting discrimination continued, the government recognized the necessity of extending its once-temporary provisions. Ten years after the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the law was reauthorized for both the purposes of extension and a new provision ending literacy tests.
More Than 350 Events Planned Across all 50 States and DC, in Largest Coordinated Voting Rights Mobilization Ahead of the 2026 Midterm Elections
Hundreds of communities nationwide will mobilize to protect the freedom to vote and strengthen American democracy.
On April 29, the Court issued its opinion in Louisiana v. Callais. In a 6-3 ruling, the Court weakened Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act (VRA), which prohibits any voting rule or procedure that discriminates on the basis of race, color, or language minority status, to the point of inoperability. This sends a clear message to the nation: racial discrimination in redistricting is acceptable when done under the guise of partisan gerrymandering.
The League of Women Voters President Dianna Wynn and CEO Celina Stewart issued the following joint statement in response to the US Supreme Court’s 6-3 decision in Louisiana v. Callais, a case concerning the constitutionality of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965:
On August 8, 2026, the League hosted civic engagement actions across the country in honor of the anniversary of the Voting Rights Act.
After listing Louisiana v. Callais for reargument in the Fall 2025, term, the Supreme Court is set to test the constitutionality of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. This will have massive ramifications for election law.
As we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, legal intern Jayla Smith interviewed Chief of Activation and Justice Marcia Johnson about the law's impact and how we can ensure that its legacy continues.
Today, the US Senate introduced the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act to protect and strengthen our democracy. The League of Women Voters proudly supports this critical legislation.
Throughout his lifetime, John Lewis was a stalwart warrior for the promise of American Democracy. We owe it to the legacy of John Lewis’ life of service to answer his end-of-life plea not to sit silent but to do our part to ensure that a robust American democracy continues.