This story was originally published by Associated Press.

Alabama lawmakers on Tuesday concluded the 2023 legislative session that was marked by tax cut measures and ended with the shelving of some controversial measures, including a bill that would make it a crime to help a non-family member fill out an absentee ballot.

Kathy Jones, president of the League of Women Voters of Alabama, said she was relieved the bill did not pass. She said it would have authorized the state to “intimidate, arrest and prosecute patriotic, law-abiding citizens for merely helping their friends and neighbors be able to vote absentee.”

LWV of Indiana and local voting rights organizations filed a federal lawsuit against the city’s Common Council for failing to draw new district maps before the Dec. 31, 2022 redistricting deadline in violation of state and federal law.

On May 16, 2023, Mary Roche volunteered as a poll worker in her county for Pennsylvania’s municipal primary election. She'd recently joined her local League, and by volunteering, she learned more about everything poll workers do to keep our elections running smoothly and ensure that every voice is heard. 

This profile was originally published in the Corpus Christi Caller Times.

Upshaw Hawkins is the first Black president of the Corpus Christi chapter of the nonpartisan grassroots organization dedicated to advocating for voting rights across the country, founded more than 100 years ago by the suffragists who helped win women the right to vote.