Voting Rights
Fighting for the democracy we all deserve by securing the right to vote and dismantling barriers to the ballot box
Voting is the language of American democracy. The ability to participate in civic life — to have a voice in choosing the elected officials whose decisions impact our lives, families, and communities — is at the core of what it means to be an American.
At our nation’s founding, voting was enshrined only for educated white men who owned property. It took more than a century for the franchise to meaningfully expand to people of color, women, people with disabilities, people who are low-income, and Native Americans. Today, some elected leaders are still working to silence people who were historically denied access to the ballot box.
At The Leadership Conference, we are working to modernize elections and build a 21st century democracy — a democracy where all of our voices are heard. With our coalition partners, we inform the public, decision-makers, and the media about barriers to voting and advocate for policies that expand the right to vote, especially in communities of color. Voting, and the ability to participate in democracy, is a racial justice issue. It is a civil rights issue. And we are overdue for a change.
Our Priorities
Restore and Strengthen Voting Rights
On June 25, 2013, the Supreme Court delivered a devastating blow to the Voting Rights Act with its ruling in Shelby County v. Holder (2013), which gutted protections for voters of color in states and local jurisdictions with a history of voting discrimination. Since that time, anti-voter politicians have enacted scores of laws and practices making it harder for people to vote. Our coalition is leading efforts to save democracy by enacting federal voting rights legislation that will provide everyone an opportunity to cast a ballot and have that ballot count.
Pass the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act ›
Latest News
The Leadership Conference Celebrates Reintroduction of John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act to Protect the Freedom to Vote
WASHINGTON — Leslie Proll, senior director of the voting rights program at The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, released the following statement celebrating the reintroduction of the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act in the Senate:
Harnessing the Power of Youth Voters to Shape Our Future
We are working within communities to empower our communities.
The Leadership Conference Condemns Alarming Appellate Court Ruling That Threatens People of Color’s Freedom To Vote
WASHINGTON — Maya Wiley, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, released the following statement on the Eighth Circuit ruling from Arkansas limiting Voting Rights Act enforcement:
Our nation could not have predicted the last two years. But instead of cowering to the hateful rhetoric and anti-civil rights policies of the Trump administration, we are raising our voices to defend the America we all deserve.