Voting Rights
Voting Rights
Voting is a fundamental principle, and all Americans deserve the equal opportunity to make their voices heard in our democracy. We are dedicated to using advocacy, litigation, and resources like VOTE411 to include more voters, expand and protect voter access, and ensure that elections remain fair and accessible.
Why Voting Rights Matter
The right to vote is one of the most basic promises of our democracy. In a democratic government, every person is considered equal and is empowered to both participate in their government and speak on the issues that impact their daily lives. Through our votes, we’re able to express our values around concerns like health care, climate change, criminal justice, taxes, and so much more.
And yet our voting rights are under attack. Bills that make voting harder for women and Black and brown Americans, wealthy special interest groups that influence elections, and district maps that don’t reflect our communities – these obstacles threaten our democracy. That’s where the League’s work comes in.
The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
What We're Doing
For more than 100 years, the League has fought to protect the rights of voters and expand access for those who’ve been left out of our democratic process. We do so through a combination of advocacy, litigation, education, partnerships, and grassroots efforts.
VOTE411
Our free, digital election resource provides state-by-state voter guides, registration information, candidate positions on issues, and more in both English and Spanish. In 2020, over 6 million people used VOTE411 to find information on over 22,000 different races.
Voter Registration
Hundreds of Leagues across the country work within their communities to register voters, particularly those who’ve been historically disempowered in our democracy. At a national level, we’ve partnered with nonprofits like the American Library Association and companies like Target and Nando’s to raise awareness around voting rules and resources.
Litigation
We’re at the forefront of some of our nation’s most consequential voting rights legal cases. In the courts, we work to secure and protect the right to early and mail-in voting, fight for fair representation in district maps, and push back against discriminatory laws and practices. In 2020, we protected over 25 million voters through litigation alone.
Advocacy
LWV supports grassroots efforts to empower voters across the country. From expanding voter education to passing pro-voter laws, we raise our voices and use our influence to strengthen the freedom to vote and build a fairer democracy.
In 2020, we protected
25 million+ voters
through litigation
In 2020,
6 million+ people
used VOTE411
We fight to increase voters’ access to the polls, including expanding early voting and automatic and online voter registration.
Redistricting, or community districting, is the process of creating representational district maps for states and local communities. By determining which neighborhoods are included in each mapped boundary, redistricting impacts how our communities are represented in the US and local government and determines how resources are distributed.
We work to ensure that our government serves the people, not wealthy special interests, by promoting transparency, limiting SuperPACs, and eliminating dark money.
We protect every American’s right to vote, challenging those who seek to restrict Black, brown, female, disabled, and other Americans from making their voices heard in our democracy.
Support the fight for everyone's freedom to vote.
Take Action
Defending Democracy Checklist
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Demand that your representatives support the expansion of voting rights and work across the aisle
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Stay up to date on the latest voting rights news by joining our email list
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Visit VOTE411 to learn about elections happening near you
Join your local League
to learn about voting rights and concerns in your community and enact change at the local, state, and federal level.
Despite anti-voter laws, mis- and disinformation, election deniers, and poll worker shortages, the American voters showed up to cast their ballots and make their voices heard.
This is in no small part thanks to Leagues across the country, who worked tirelessly to empower voters during this pivotal midterm season.
The following is a snapshot of LWV’s impact in the 2022 midterm elections as of November 10, 2022. A complete impact report will be added to this page at a future date.
The League’s history of breaking down barriers to voting is perhaps best exemplified by its contribution to the passage of the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) in 1993. This legislation makes it easier for all Americans to register to vote and maintain their registration.
In the autumn of 2021, we're demanding bold action on voting rights by President Biden's Administration.
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to promote the freedom to vote for all Americans.