Protect the Right to Vote: Be a Poll Worker on Election Day Sign Up Now
Photo credit: United for Democracy, Photographer Kevin Wolf.
Voting rights, the very foundation of our democracy, are under attack.
In 1965, Congress passed the Voting Rights Act. The bill ensured protections against discrimination in voting. But, for decades, conservatives in federal office have chipped away at these protections. Trump, Republicans in Congress, and the current conservative Supreme Court have accelerated these attacks.
The Supreme Court greenlit racist gerrymandering earlier this year in their decision in Louisiana v. Callais. Trump and congressional Republicans have repeatedly attempted to pass the SAVE Act, a voter suppression bill. All together, they have weakened the voting power of communities of color, women, transgender individuals, and communities with low-income.
If that sounds bad, it’s because it is. But our communities have the power to fight back. Faced with the Trump administration’s rapid dismantling of our democracy, LCV, our state affiliates, and partner organizations are already building power nationwide. We are working to ensure our country is resilient against federal attacks and our democracy is protected from sliding into authoritarianism.
We know we can create a democracy where:
An important step toward building this reality is protecting voting rights at the state level through state Voting Rights Acts. Here’s a closer look at the impact of voting discrimination, and how LCV and our state leagues are fighting back with state VRAs.
For decades, targeted attacks on voting rights have made it significantly harder for completely eligible people of color and low-income people to vote. In the conservative Supreme Court’s 2013 ruling in Shelby County v. Holder, justices claimed racial discrimination in voting was no longer a concern.
Following that decision, local governments passed discriminatory voting laws. The participation gap between Black and White voters, which had been shrinking for years, began to widen.
Since the Supreme Court ruling in Shelby County v. Holder, the gap between Black and white voter participation has increased significantly.
Source: Brennan Center for Justice
States are taking action to combat the continued attacks on voting rights. Across the country, states are working to protect the right to vote and build power toward creating a system that works for everyone.
This includes passing state Voting Rights Acts.
State Voting Rights Acts (VRAs) guarantee voters are protected by state law. They require things like:
State VRAs matter to everyone, even if you don’t live in a state that currently has one in effect. Establishing state level protections creates a model for federal progress. These laws highlight what is possible and what legislative solutions work. State VRA wins are helping build momentum and power for federal action that affects the whole country.
States across the country are protecting voting rights with state-level VRAs.
LCV state affiliates have played a key role in passing state VRAs across the country. And, we’re just getting started. Each year, we are learning, growing, and building power to expand voter protections. Here are the stories behind several of our key wins.
In 2023, Connecticut was lagging behind its neighbors in the northeast on voting protections and accessibility. The state did not have provisions for No Excuse absentee voting, which allows any voter to vote by mail, or early voting.
Connecticuters were fed up. As the legislative session began to heat up, they demanded action on voter protections.
Connecticut LCV channeled voters’ frustration to quickly mobilize people to support a VRA. CTLCV hosted two advocacy events, offered testimony in support of the bill, and mobilized voters to lobby their representatives.
And their advocacy efforts paid off. Big time. Not only was CTLCV able to get the Connecticut Voting Rights Act introduced in the legislature, the bill was passed in the same session.
Connor Yakaitis, Deputy Director of CTLCV.
New Jersey’s path to passing their VRA was a little more complicated. The legislature struggled to build momentum for the bill, delaying it year after year.
For three years, New Jersey LCV served as key advisors and advocates for the bill. Earlier this year, they got it across the finish line. The team at New Jersey LCV used their existing relationships with state legislators to gather co-sponsors and make the VRA a priority. They also facilitated conversations between lawmakers and the communities most impacted by attacks on voting rights. The final bill ensures protections for voting access.
New Jersey LCV secured a huge win with the election of Governor Mikie Sherrill. After taking office, Governor Sherrill prioritized the bill’s passage.
Allison McLeod, Interim Executive Director of New Jersey LCV, on the passage of the NJVEA out of the General Assembly.
Washington originally passed its VRA in 2018. However, the 2018 bill did not include a preclearance provision. Preclearance is a critical protection for voting rights. It requires local governments to get approval for changes to their election laws. This can stop discriminatory voting laws before they take effect, instead of requiring people to challenge laws after they have been implemented.
Washington Conservation Action helped organize a massive coalition with dozens of organizations. The coalition agreed on a common legislative priority agenda. This included passing a preclearance provision.
The coalition’s shared agenda allowed them to launch a strong push to pass the legislation. Thanks to their advocacy, the legislature passed preclearance earlier this year.
LCV state affiliates engaged in other VRA fights as well, including:
Conservation Minnesota joined a statewide democracy coalition and signed onto letters of support for the Minnesota Voting Right Act, which passed in 2024.
The bill allows Minnesotans to sue against racially discriminatory voting practices. It also protects Minnesotans from voter suppression and vote dilution. Finally, the bill ends prison gerrymandering. This means incarcerated people will be counted at their last address instead of where they are incarcerated.
Maryland LCV encouraged legislators to support the Maryland Voting Rights Act. Many of these legislators had not previously engaged in work to protect voting rights.
Maryland LCV also worked with a coalition to provide testimony, policy and lobbying expertise to help pass the bill. The Maryland Voting Rights Act bans cities and counties from any policy that could weaken the voting power of specific racial groups. It passed earlier this year.
In 2025, Colorado passed the Colorado Voting Rights Act. Conservation Colorado provided key communications support, social media engagement, and letters from local electeds to pass the bill. The final bill includes strong provisions for challenging discriminatory voting practices.
With every state VRA that is passed, we are learning and building power toward a stronger democracy and climate. Across the country, LCV’s state affiliates are getting the job done. And our momentum continues to grow.
Leading up to the 2028 elections, we expect the Trump administration and its allies will make more attempts to suppress voters. These attacks will disproportionately impact women, young people, and voters of color. Building power now will help us stand strong in the face of these attacks and ensure we have free and fair elections in 2028.
States across the CVM are continuing to lead the fight. LCV’s state affiliates in Maine, Vermont, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin are working to pass VRAs. VRAs are advancing in other states as well.
Wins at the state level are building momentum to pass federal voting rights laws, like the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (JLVRAA). If passed, the JLVRAA would restore strong voter protections guaranteed by the original Voting Rights Act of 1965, which have been weakened in the decades since its passage.
Feeling inspired? Join LCV and our state affiliates in the Conservation Voters Movement in the fight to protect voting rights.
Aug 5, 2026
Jul 16, 2026
Jul 2, 2026
Jun 26, 2026
©2026 League of Conservation Voters