The 2026 midterms represented a pivotal point in our democracy. Amidst economic turmoil, attacks on voting rights, and a war in Iran, the election was an opportunity for the people to make their voices heard.
From the primaries through the midterm election on November 3, Leagues turned out in full force to empower voters and defend democracy. In advance of our full election impact report, coming this winter, here are a few stats showcasing League members' and supporters' valuable work from January 1 - November 3, 2026.
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8.5 Million Voters Reached
Leagues found so many ways to reach voters that if you told us your local League had gotten out the vote via smoke signal, town crier, or carrier pigeon, we'd probably believe you.
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Here are just a few ways Leagues reached more than 8.5 million voters with nonpartisan voter engagement and democracy action in 2026:
- Advertisements
- Billboards
- Candidate forums and debates
- Earned media (news placements)
- Emails
- In-Person canvassing
- League in Action notifications
- Phone calls
- Postcards
- Public Service Announcements
- Radio
- Social media posts
- Texts
- VOTE411.org
- Voter registration events
Many, many more touchpoints were not recorded, so the total number is much higher than what is listed.
Reaching 5.5 Million People via VOTE411
In its 20th year, LWV's one-stop shop for trusted, nonpartisan election information was accessed 5.5 million times.
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Providing Election Information to 5.5 Million Users via VOTE411.org
In its 20th year, LWV's one-stop shop for online election information was accessed by 5.5 million users.
Get Personalized Election Info at VOTE411
Since its launch, VOTE411 has expanded to include all information in English and Spanish, candidate guides, campaign finance information, and more.
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Protecting 49.6 Million Voters with Election Litigation, Including 35 Million from Threats to Voting Access
When voting and election rights are threatened, Leagues show up in state and federal courts to preserve our freedoms. In 2026, Leagues protected 49.6 million voters through federal litigation. 35 million voters were specifically protected in litigation challenging the current administration's actions threatening voting rights access.
Notable cases included League of Women Voters of Massachusetts v. Trump and League of Women Voters v. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
The former was a lawsuit responding to an executive order that threatened to seize control of election administration from Congress and the states by attacking mail voting and demanding the use of unreliable "citizenship verification" methods. LWVUS, LWVMA, and partners filed suit, arguing that this would violate the constitutional separation of powers, as well as the 10th Amendment and the Voting Rights Act, among other concerns. After an extensive back-and-forth, plaintiffs secured a preliminary injunction that was ultimately upheld by the Supreme Court of the US, preventing the order from going into effect for the 2026 midterms.
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In the latter case, LWVUS and several state and local Leagues successfully sued US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) over its policy banning third-party voter registration groups from registering new citizens at USCIS-hosted naturalization ceremonies. In October 2026, the parties agreed to a settlement blocking USCIS from enforcing the ban on Leagues' voter registration work.
16 Rapid Response Lawsuits
In today's political climate, urgent news can (and will) arise at any moment. On top of its typical caseload, LWV was involved in 16 rapid response lawsuits during the 2026 election season.
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Support our work defending voting rights!
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100 Million Media Impressions
Beyond direct voter outreach, the League helped inform the national conversation about voting rights and the 2026 midterm elections. Through earned media coverage, the League generated more than 100 million media impressions, amplifying trusted election information and elevating the League's voice and leadership on the national stage.
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From national outlets like CNN, The New York Times, Reuters, the Associated Press, and The New Republic to local coverage on FOX 5 DC and broadcast affiliates across the country, League leaders, including CEO Celina Stewart and state and local League presidents, helped voters understand how to use VOTE411, reinforced confidence in the security of our elections, and reminded Americans that their voices matter. The League also worked with leaders in Florida, Texas, and beyond to secure Spanish-language media opportunities, including with Telemundo and Univision.
Stay tuned for a more extensive look at our election impact, coming this December! Looking to get involved? Reach out to your local League, or support our work with a small donation.
Thank you for empowering voters and defending democracy with us in the 2026 midterms!