WASHINGTON, DC — The League of Women Voters of the United States (LWVUS) is investing approximately $550,000 through its FY26 Making Democracy Work grant awards to state and local Leagues, putting resources directly into the communities where democracy is defended every day. The funding will strengthen voter education, protect elections, and expand get-out-the-vote efforts ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. 

Awarded this month, the grants will help Leagues build organizational capacity, respond to emerging election challenges, educate voters, and mobilize communities during one of the most consequential election cycles in recent history. 

"The future of our democracy is being shaped in communities across this country, and state and local Leagues are leading that work every day," said Celina Stewart, chief executive officer of the League of Women Voters. "When we invest in our state and local Leagues, we are investing in trusted leaders who are educating voters, defending the freedom to vote, and ensuring every community has the tools to make its voice heard." 

Last year's Making Democracy Work grants demonstrated just how powerful those local investments can be. Supported Leagues engaged more than 4.8 million people online and in person, hosted more than 5,600 voter education events, forums, and rallies, recruited more than 10,500 volunteers, and contributed more than 136,000 volunteer hours to strengthen democracy in communities across the country. 

In addition to direct grant funding, LWVUS provides more than $12 million annually in in-kind support to state and local Leagues through litigation assistance, communications and marketing support, training, and other strategic resources that help state and local Leagues reach more voters and respond quickly to emerging challenges. 

Recognizing the increased demands of the 2026 election cycle, LWVUS nearly doubled its direct cash investment in state and local Leagues over the previous year, ensuring communities have the resources to educate voters, protect elections, and mobilize participation where it matters most. 

The investment also strengthened election administration and protection efforts nationwide, supporting 1,137 poll workers, engaging 927 election observers, building a nationwide corps of 582 trained election observers, and fostering more than 3,800 engagements with election officials and community stakeholders. Leagues also delivered more than 1,700 trainings to over 30,000 participants, helping prepare volunteers, advocates, and community leaders for the work of protecting democracy. 

"Defending democracy starts at the local level," Stewart said. "Every investment in the League helps put resources where the work happens, in communities across America. Our national infrastructure allows us to move funding and support quickly so local Leagues can respond to emerging challenges, strengthen election preparedness, and help every eligible voter participate in the 2026 midterm elections." 

The return on that investment is significant. Last year's $285,000 in Making Democracy Work grant funding generated more than $4.7 million in volunteer service, demonstrating how strategic investments in local Leagues translate into measurable impact for communities nationwide. 

Together, these investments will help state and local Leagues educate millions of voters, strengthen election protection efforts, expand volunteer capacity, and build the grassroots power needed to defend democracy throughout the 2026 election season. 

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