Voting Rights

Voting Rights

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LWV supports securing ctizens' right to vote

Our mission at the nonpartisan League of Women Voters has been singular and unwavering for over 100 years: to uphold and protect our democratic system, and to ensure the right of every American to vote. Upholding our democratic system means preserving our form of government that consists of three co-equal branches of government regulated by a system of checks and balances outlined in the Constitution.
 

What Are Our Rights?

See our voting rights explained here.

Federal Action Taken Against Voting Rights

As of 5/15/2025, there have been 2 main efforts at the federal level - an executive order and The SAVE Act - to limit the rights of citizens to vote. 

Executive Order

Executive order titled "Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections" attempts to:

  1. Require further proof of citizenship for voter registration beyond what is required today.
  2. Require paper ballots only
  3. Restrict mail-in voting
  4. Use federal agencies to verify citizenship and share personal data.
  5. Decertifying voting machines
  6. Privacy concerns with DOGE accessing voter data.
  7. Penalizes states counting late mail ballots

Multiple lawsuits have been filed challenging the legality of this executive order on elections, including a lawsuit by the League of Women Voters and other voting rights groups. Lawsuits argue the order violates the Constitution and existing laws like the National Voter Registration Act.

A federal judge blocked parts of the executive order, saying the President overstepped authority based on the Elections Assistance Commission is an independent agency, so the President can't direct them.

SAVE Act - Passed by House and presented to Senate for approval

Attempts are underway to make voting in this country harder for everyone in the form of a bill before the Senate called SAVE Act legislation. This bill would require all voters to present proof of citizenship (birth certificate or passport) in person to election officials every time they register or update their registration, online and mail-in voter registration would be eliminated. Digital and photocopied proof of citizenship would not be allowed, forcing Americans everywhere to travel or brave long lines. Millions of Americans don’t have ready access to proof of citizenship, or are women whose birth certificates don’t match their current name. Rural voters, voters of color, and historically marginalized individuals will be disproportionally impacted. There is no evidence to suggest voter fraud by non-citizens.
 
 

Legal Challenges to Executive Orders of the Current Administration

 

LWV Nevada County takes a stand on voting rights

Click here to read our full press release printed in Yuba Net on March 31, 2025.
 
LWV Nevada City participated in the April 5 day of protest to express our disapproval of the Executive Order to dismantle voting rights.
 
Apr5 Protest
 

Additional Information...

Track the dates for upcoming elections across the country here.
 
 

Do you have questions about your voting rights? Learn more about your voting rights here.

If you feel your rights have been violated, you can contact the California Department of Justice here.