State Voting Rights Acts

State voting rights acts (VRAs) help make sure every American can vote and that every vote counts equally at the state and local level.  

A growing number of states have passed state voting rights acts (state VRAs) — powerful tools designed to safeguard voting rights, prevent discrimination in voting and build a more inclusive, transparent democracy. At a time when historically disenfranchised communities still face significant barriers to voting, multiple states have stepped up and protected equal access to voting through state VRAs.

What is a State Voting Rights Act?

State VRAs strengthen and streamline key protections from the federal Voting Rights Act, and codify them at the state level. A state law qualifies as a state VRA if it establishes effective protections against racial discrimination in voting that prohibit vote dilution, voter suppression, or both; and provides voters with enforceable mechanisms to vindicate those rights. A strong state VRA can also: prevent discrimination before it occurs through a preclearance program; expand language access; prohibit voter intimidation, obstruction, and deception; boost election transparency, including by establishing a centralized database of election information; and help ensure judges interpret laws in favor of voters. 

Why State VRAs are Important  

For decades, the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (VRA) served as our nation’s most effective shield against racial discrimination in voting. But recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions like Shelby County v. Holder and Brnovich v. DNC have weakened the VRA by undermining its key protections, like the preclearance requirement that once blocked discriminatory voting changes before they could take effect.

While Congress has failed to pass federal reforms, states are taking action. Find out which states we are working in to help fill the gaps left in federal law and build a democracy that is truly of, by and for the people.

State VRAs are designed to protect equal access to voting by:  

• Providing voters the necessary legal tools to fight racially discriminatory voting laws and systems.
• Preventing harmful laws before they disenfranchise voters by revitalizing preclearance — a process requiring jurisdictions with long histories of voting discrimination to receive approval from the federal government before implementing new voting rules — at the state level.
• Encouraging collaboration between local governments and plaintiffs to work together to remedy potential violations before resorting to litigation, saving time and money.
• Safeguarding and expanding protections beyond those offered by the federal VRA, including language access and voter intimidation protections.
• Instructing courts to interpret voting rights laws in ways that favor voter access. 

State VRAs are not just temporary fixes — they are long-term, far-reaching solutions that ensure all voters, regardless of race or background, can fully participate in our democracy.

Current Landscape of State VRAs

Eleven states have already enacted state VRAs, including California (2002), Washington (2018), Oregon (2019), Virginia (2021), New York (2022), Connecticut (2023), Minnesota (2024), Colorado (2025), Maryland (2026), Delaware (2026) and New Jersey (2026). Campaign Legal Center is working alongside partners across the country, including in Michigan and Rhode Island, to expand that list.

Momentum is growing — and it’s fueled by broad public support. Recent polling shows that 78% of voters nationwide support state VRAs, with strong backing across party lines and racial and ethnic groups.  

Model Legislation

To encourage states across the country to adopt their own state VRAs, Campaign Legal Center and our partners at four legal organizations — the Legal Defense Fund, Election Law Clinic at Harvard Law School, LatinoJustice PRLDEF and Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF) — have developed model legislation with eight core provisions.

• Prohibition on Voter Suppression and Vote Dilution 
  Establishes a cause of action to challenge, in state court, election practices that deny or abridge the voting strength or access of voters of color based on protected class status.
• Preclearance 
  Requires certain jurisdictions with a history of discrimination to obtain approval before making changes to voting practices.
• Protections for Limited English Proficient and Disabled Voters 
  Mandates translated materials and assistance for language-minority voters, including groups not currently covered by federal law.
• State Voting and Elections Database and Institute 
  Creates a centralized data repository to support enforcement and transparency.
• Prohibition Against Intimidation, Deception, and Obstruction 
  Provides clear remedies for voters who face threats, false information, or interference.
• Public Notice of Voting-Related Changes 
  Requires political subdivisions to provide advance notice of changes to election rules or practices.
• Democracy Canon 
  Directs courts to interpret laws and exercise discretion in favor of broad access and equal participation in the democratic process.
• Enforcement 
  Allows both a state attorney general and private individual affected by violations to sue; provides for a notice-letter process, preliminary relief, remedies, and other specific procedures. 

The model bill is meant to serve as a template that state lawmakers and advocates can easily adapt to safeguard voting rights and prevent discrimination in voting in their own states. With this model bill, states can lead the way toward a more inclusive, representative and accountable government. 

The Model State Voting Rights Act reflects our recommendations as of January 2026. Those recommendations continue to evolve in response to legal developments, including the Callais decision. If you intend to use the Model State Voting Rights Act for the purpose of drafting legislation, please be in touch with us directly for our latest recommendations using the contact form at the bottom of our partner Legal Defense Fund's state VRA page.

Learn more about the model legislation here.  

Real Impact, Real Change

State VRAs are already making a difference:

• Washington: CLC brought the first case under the Washington Voting Rights Act, which challenged a discriminatory election system in Yakima County and resulted in a historic settlement that gave Latino voters a fairer chance to elect representatives of their choice. 
• Virginia: CLC brought the first case under the Virginia Voting Rights Act, which challenged a discriminatory at‑large election system in Virginia Beach and resulted in the adoption of a district-based system that ensures fair representation. 
• New York: As a result of lawsuits under the New York VRA, three political subdivisions — Nassau County, the town of Newburgh, and the town of Mount Pleasant — changed their election systems to ensure communities of color have an equal voice at the ballot box.  
• California: Nearly 150 jurisdictions have shifted away from at-large elections under the California VRA, leading to more diverse and representative local governments.

These victories show how state VRAs are empowering communities and strengthening democracy. 

The Path Forward

Passing state VRAs is one of the most powerful steps lawmakers can take to protect voting rights. While the fight for the restoration and strengthening of the federal VRA through measures like the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act continues, states must act now to ensure every voter has an equal voice.

State VRAs are not a substitute for federal action, but they are a vital part of a comprehensive strategy to create a fairer, more inclusive democracy.