Voting Rights Advocates Outline Key Threats As Voting Begins
- Contact
Washington, DC — As early voting gets underway, leading civil and voting rights attorneys gathered Thursday for a media briefing on the legal battles and election-administration issues that could affect voters in 2026, particularly voters of color.
The discussion examined how the Department of Justice is approaching voting-rights enforcement, litigation over access to sensitive voter information, challenges to executive actions, and the outlook for fair representation following Louisiana v. Callais. Panelists also addressed state-level protections and preparations to identify and respond to voter intimidation, registration problems, and other barriers to casting a ballot.
"The attempts by the Trump administration to undermine our elections have been relentless, but they have failed. Voters should cast their ballots with confidence. Election officials, advocates, and law enforcement are working to protect your vote,” said Sean Morales-Doyle, Senior Director of the Voting Rights and Elections program at the Brennan Center for Justice. “Make a plan and vote early if you can. The way these attacks succeed is if voters stay home this fall."
“The civil and voting rights community isn’t going to sit silently while voting rights are threatened,” said Sam Spital, Associate Director-Counsel of Legal Defense Fund. “That is why we have stepped up to confront the Trump administration’s illegal executive actions aimed at infringing upon the voting rights of Americans – especially Black people and other people of color. With the midterm elections just 15 days away, it is our responsibility to meet any attempts to infringe upon the right to vote with full throated opposition.”
“This election is unfolding in an environment where misinformation and uncertainty are becoming barriers to voting before voters even reach the polls,” said Leah Wong, Voting Rights Director, Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund. “In Asian American communities, we’re hearing from naturalized citizens who are unsure whether they are eligible to vote. Misinformation about noncitizen voting, attacks on birthright citizenship, and other federal actions are creating confusion and fear among voters who have every right to participate in our elections. As election day approaches, our message is simple: every eligible voter should be able to cast their ballot safely, freely, and without fear--and we'll be on the ground to make that possible for Asian American voters across the country. ”
“Don’t believe the fearmongering this election season,” said Camille Wimbish, National Director of Campaigns and Field Programs for the Election Protection Coalition, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. “While very real threats remain, we still have access to the ballot, and we stand ready to defend the rights of Black communities and others seeking to participate in our democracy this November. Check your voting registration, make a vote plan, and utilize the Lawyers’ Committee and the Election Protection Hotline 866-OUR-VOTE as a resource during this final stretch of election season.”
"Federal, state, and local officials must protect voters from harassment and ensure every eligible voter can cast a ballot without hindrance," said Mitchell Brown, Senior Counsel for Voting Rights at Southern Coalition for Social Justice. "Advocates are fighting back against new barriers at every level, from county boards of elections to the courthouse. The people still have the power and we will do our best to help them exercise their collective voices.”
Media note: A recording of the briefing will be made available upon request. Attorneys from the VRWG are also available to speak with the press. Please contact Rabiah Ahmed at rahmed@mrss.com or 202-439-1441.