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Democracy Forward | Updated October 2026

The People’s Guide to Voting Rights

democracyforward.org The People’s Guide to Voting Rights

Editorial Note This updated People’s Guide to Voting Rights is part of Democracy Forward’s effort not only to defend people in court, but to help communities understand, assert, and protect their power and their rights. The first edition of this report was published on July 9, 2026. This revised edition has been issued to address the significant legal developments since then. Readers should continue to rely on trusted voting resources, many of which are linked throughout this report. The information in this updated edition is current as of the date of publication.

The People’s Guide to Voting Rights

Democracy is not self-sustaining. It requires constant defense in courtrooms, in legislatures, in the streets, and at the ballot box. The right to vote, often described as the foundation of American democracy, was never freely given. It was won over generations by Americans who challenged exclusion based on race, gender, and class — and marched, organized, and faced violence and legal barriers to secure it. This work remains, to this day, unfinished. The 2026 midterm elections are a moment of heightened pressure on that foundation. Efforts to restrict voting access, gerrymander, spread misinformation and sow doubt about election integrity, and expand federal control over state election systems are testing the resilience of democratic institutions. At the same time, advocates in court and millions of ordinary citizens are pushing back — and winning. Earlier this year, Skye Perryman, Democracy Forward’s President and CEO, testified on Capitol Hill on the fifth anniversary of the January 6 insurrection, warning that it was MINNEAPOLIS, MN — January 23, 2026: not an isolated attack. January 6 marked a Demonstrators participate in a rally and pivotal point in an ongoing crisis, one now march during an “ICE Out” day of protest. playing out through executive overreach, (Credit: Stephen Maturen/Getty) the weaponization of government, and the erosion of constitutional rights. Since that time, she has testified at a public forum focused on election security and another on corruption in the Trump-Vance administration, and how both fit into a pattern of illegal overreach.

The People’s Guide to Voting Rights

Meeting the Moment This People’s Guide to Voting Rights is part of Democracy Forward’s effort not only to defend people in court, but to help communities understand, assert, and protect their power and their rights. This guide covers the voting landscape of the 2026 midterm elections and informs voters about their rights and options. It also examines the most pressing threats to free and fair elections, and provides trusted resources for every step of the process. It is designed for all voters, regardless of party, and includes information for election workers and volunteers. In this charged election year, most Americans share more in common than extremists often suggest, including a commitment to fair and equal participation in democracy. Our voice is too important to give up. An informed voter is a more powerful voter. This guide is one part of the ongoing work to ensure every voter can participate fully and equally in our democracy.

This guide builds on voting resources developed by our partner pro-democracy and civil rights organizations and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It is not legal advice and should not be relied upon for legal advice. It offers nonpartisan education and information on voting rights and election access. It does not contain information on specific candidates or races.

The People’s Guide to Voting Rights

What’s Inside

WASHINGTON, D.C. — August 28, 2021: Nationwide march for voting rights (Credit: Allison Bailey/Shutterstock)

2026 Midterm Elections Your Right to Vote Defending Free and Fair Elections

06 09 14

Election Administration: Election Officials & Poll Workers

Take Action: Make a Plan to Vote

The People’s Guide to Voting Rights

2026 Midterm Elections

The People’s Guide to Voting Rights

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Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026.

The People’s Guide to Voting Rights

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The 2026 Midterm Elections In the midterm elections, millions of voters will cast ballots for candidates running for thousands of public offices. In many states, voting has already begun. Most states offer some form of early voting, with the availability and timing of voting before Election Day varying by jurisdiction.

U.S. Senate Seats

435

U.S. House Seats

Governors

State Attorneys General

The People’s Guide to Voting Rights

In addition to major state and federal contests, there are thousands of state and local races on the 2026 ballot, including elections for state legislatures, mayoral offices, judicial seats, and ballot measures. These races are consequential and will shape policy decisions for years to come. Although President Donald Trump is not on the ballot in 2026, midterm elections are often viewed as a referendum on a president’s leadership and the direction of the country. In 2018, the midterm elections held during President Trump’s first term, voter turnout reached roughly 50% of eligible voters, the highest level of participation in midterm elections in more than a century. Voter turnout could also shatter records this year. In 2025 state elections, and in 2026 primaries, turnout has been strong, and in some instances, record breaking.

2026 Midterm Elections

Your Right to Vote Eligibility to vote in U.S. elections depends largely on state law, but most citizens can vote in federal, state, and local elections if they meet the following requirements:

You are a U.S. citizen. This includes many citizens living abroad, dual citizens, and some people born outside the United States to U.S. citizen parents. In a small number of jurisdictions, lawfully present noncitizens may also be permitted to vote in certain local elections.

You meet your state’s residency rules. A permanent address is not always required, and people without stable housing may still be eligible to register and vote.

You are at least 18 years old by Election Day. Many states allow people to register before turning 18, and some permit 17-year-olds to participate in primary elections if they will be 18 by the general election.

You register to vote before your state’s deadline. If your state or locality requires advance registration to vote — most do — you must be registered by the deadline, which varies by state.

The People’s Guide to Voting Rights

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Know Your Rights as a Voter You have the right to be treated equally. All voters have the right to be treated equally regardless of race, color, ethnicity, gender, and physical or language ability.

You have the right to keep your vote private. Whether you voted is public information; how you voted is private. You are never required to disclose your vote to anyone.

You have the right to vote free from intimidation or coercion. It is illegal to intimidate, coerce, or otherwise threaten voters. You may report such experiences to the nonpartisan Election Protection Hotline 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683).

You have the right to receive in-person assistance at the polls. If you have a disability or have difficulties reading or writing in English, you have the right to have someone help you vote. The helper must respect your privacy. Refer to election rules in your state and locality to see if language assistance is offered.

You have the right to request a new ballot if you made a mistake. If you make a mistake, request a new ballot and correct your vote, regardless of whether you are voting in-person or by mail. Do not cast the ballot that contains the error.

The People’s Guide to Voting Rights

Your Right to Vote

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS AS A VOTER

You have the right to cast a provisional ballot if your eligibility cannot be verified. If election officials can’t confirm your voting eligibility at the polls, you have the right to request a provisional ballot, which will be counted after your eligibility is verified.

You have the right to vote by mail, where allowed by local law. You can cast your ballot by mail for a variety of reasons, such as serving in the military, being overseas, or not being able to take off from work, among others. Processes and requirements for requesting and returning your ballot vary by state, so check your state’s requirements and deadlines using Vote411’s interactive map.

You have the right to vote from anywhere in the world. U.S. citizens living, working, studying, or traveling abroad, as well as active duty service members, military spouses, and eligible family members stationed outside their home jurisdiction, retain the right to vote. You can request your ballot through the Center for U.S. Voters Abroad or the U.S. Vote Foundation. Both organizations help ensure your vote is counted no matter where you are.

You may have the right to vote after a felony conviction. Most people with past felony convictions can vote. The process to restore your right to vote varies by state.

The People’s Guide to Voting Rights

Your Right to Vote

What Not to Do x

Don’t leave the line when the polls close. If you are in line to vote prior to polls closing, you have the right to cast your ballot if you stay in line.

Don’t spread false or unverified election information. If you’re unsure about any election information you have seen, verify it with your state or local election office before sharing.

Don’t campaign inside a polling place. Most states prohibit campaigning, wearing campaign gear, or trying to influence voters within a certain distance of the polling location. This protects everyone’s right to vote without pressure. Check with your state or local election office for specific rules.

Voter intimidation is illegal. The People’s Guide to Voting Rights

Your Right to Vote

Sidebar In 2020, two right-wing conspiracy theorists orchestrated a campaign of robocalls targeting Black voters in Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, New York, and Pennsylvania with false and intimidating information about the November 2020 election, including threats of consequences for voting. These robocalls falsely stated that “if you vote by mail your personal information . . . will be used . . . to track down old warrants and . . . collect outstanding debts” and may be used “to track people for mandatory vaccines.” Because voter intimidation is unlawful under multiple federal and state laws, the perpetrators were indicted on criminal charges in Ohio and Michigan and ultimately pleaded guilty in both states. They also faced a civil suit in New York, where the court required them to make new robocalls informing people who received the original call of its disinformation and held that they violated numerous federal and state laws. They ultimately agreed to a consent decree forbidding them from undertaking similar actions for a period of time and requiring them to pay damages.

Trusted Resources Register to vote or verify your registration status at Vote.org, or Vote411. Enter your address in ballotpedia.org to see elections on your ballot. Know Your Rights: Voting Rights American Civil Liberties Union

Know Your Voting Rights Voto Latino

Resources for Protecting Voters And I Still Vote Campaign, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights

Resource for High School Students The Civics Center

Why it matters: This case underscores both the harms of voter intimidation and the legal tools available to address it.

The People’s Guide to Voting Rights

Your Election Bill of Rights: What Every Voter Should Know League of Women Voters

Your Right to Vote

Defending Free and Fair Elections

MONTGOMERY, AL — May 16, 2026: “All Roads Lead to the South” National Day of Action for Voting Rights (Credit: Dan Anderson/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock)

The People’s Guide to Voting Rights

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Your Voting Rights Are Under Attack President Trump and his allies have repeatedly spread false claims about election fraud, threatened federal interference into state and local election administration, and encouraged gerrymandering to reduce Black and Brown electoral power. These efforts have raised concerns about intimidation, political interference, and public trust in the democratic process, while intensifying broader battles over voting access and the rules governing our elections. Since returning to office, President Trump has issued two executive orders on federal election administration, both of which have been challenged in court in multiple lawsuits. Both orders are unlawful and exceed presidential authority. The Constitution assigns responsibility for election administration to state and local governments.

LOS ANGELES, CA — June 14, 2025: “No Kings” Protest (Credit: Shutterstock)

The People’s Guide to Voting Rights

Defending Free and Fair Elections

The Anti-Voting Executive Orders

The first executive order, signed in March 2025, sought to interfere with state regulation of voter eligibility, including by directing the independent U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) to revise the federal voter registration form to require documentary proof of U.S. citizenship. There are multiple cases challenging provisions of this order: LULAC v. Executive Office of the President (consolidated with DNC v. Trump and League of Women Voters v. Trump), California v. Trump, and Washington v. Trump, all of which are proceeding at various stages in federal courts and involve dozens of states, pro-democracy advocates, and partners. Federal courts permanently blocked implementation of key parts of the executive order, including its requirement that voters show documentary proof of citizenship when registering to vote.

A second executive order was issued in March 2026, directing the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to build a voter registry from Social Security data and the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to impose new requirements on mail-in ballots. Multiple lawsuits have been filed challenging this executive order: LULAC v. Executive Office of the President II (consolidated with DSCC v. Trump and NAACP v. Trump), League of Women Voters of MA v. Trump, and California v. Trump. On September 15, the U.S. Supreme Court blocked the administration’s attempt to proceed with USPS’s mail-in voting restrictions for the November election. The Court declined to lift a preliminary injunction issued by a district court in Massachusetts, which held that USPS’s rule implementing the executive order was likely unconstitutional. A separate district court in D.C. also blocked the USPS rule on the grounds that USPS likely does not have statutory authority to issue the rule. As a result, mail-in voting procedures will not be affected by the executive order for the November election.

The People’s Guide to Voting Rights

Defending Free and Fair Elections

These executive orders are part of a broader push by President Trump and his far-right allies to restrict voting rights and access around the country. The pro-democracy movement has already been successfully fighting back and is escalating that effort through litigation and nonviolent, people-led action.

Additional threats to election integrity from this administration and their allies include:

• Repeatedly urging Congress to pass the SAVE Act, legislation

that would impose, among other strict provisions, documentary proof-of-citizenship requirements for voter registration. The legislation has the potential to disenfranchise millions of Americans from voting, and it has faced significant opposition from nonpartisan voter advocacy groups and members of both parties. Given the resistance inside the Republican party and that the House is out of session until after Election Day, the bill has no realistic path to passage before the midterms.

• Attempting to create a flawed national database of voter

data, demanding state voter data to create this database, and potentially improperly sharing voters’ personal data with third parties.

• Threatening to unlawfully deploy federal immigration agents and the military to voting sites to intimidate voters.

• Attempting to unlawfully allocate nearly $1.8 billion in federal

funds through the so-called “Anti-Weaponization Fund” to compensate their political allies, including January 6 insurrectionists. Challengers argue access to these funds would financially fuel further efforts to disrupt or overturn elections. After bipartisan backlash, the administration claimed to have abandoned the fund but refused to do so under oath. This is the subject of ongoing litigation, including a case brought by Democracy Forward Foundation, in which a federal

The People’s Guide to Voting Rights

Defending Free and Fair Elections

court issued a preliminary injunction, blocking the fund while the case proceeds on the merits and rejecting the government’s argument that the case is moot. There are multiple other lawsuits challenging the fund, as well.

• Weaponizing law enforcement investigations, including through

overzealous FBI raids on a pro-democracy organization, the Ohio Organizing Collaborative, that has a 20-year history of ensuring that Ohioans can vote. These overly aggressive raids are widely understood as an effort to chill Black and Brown voter participation, and the organizations that aim to support voting and voting rights.

• Launching baseless criminal investigations against state and

county election officials and using this as pretext to seize ballots.

• Seeking to weaponize ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations

(HSI), diverting it from its traditional responsibilities to focus on identifying ineligible voters. The consequences have already been severe: senior DHS officials have issued directions to pursue deportations and criminal prosecutions of alleged “noncitizen voters,” including people who did not knowingly register to vote and who did not actually vote.

Collectively, these actions represent coordinated partisan efforts to restrict the hard-won right to vote and influence election outcomes ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. These attacks on voting and elections aren’t isolated incidents; they are a part of a longer national struggle over who has access to the ballot and how elections are administered. Current concerns echo earlier fights over voter suppression, racial discrimination, and equal access to political participation that have shaped American democracy for generations. You can read more about these threats in Democracy Forward’s public records investigation, In the Records: Exposing and Disrupting Federal Attempts to Interfere in the 2026 Midterm Elections. And, as described below, the civil rights community and the entire pro-democracy movement are already fighting back.

The People’s Guide to Voting Rights

Defending Free and Fair Elections

Selma and the Unfinished Fight for Voting Rights On March 7, 1965, a day now known as “Bloody Sunday,” Alabama state troopers violently attacked peaceful civil rights demonstrators crossing the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama. The national outrage that followed helped lead to passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, a landmark law that transformed American democracy by prohibiting racial discrimination in voting. Recently, key parts of the law have been weakened by rulings from the U.S. Supreme Court, including decisions that limited federal oversight of changes to voting laws in states with histories of discrimination. These rulings have made it easier for states to pass voting restrictions or gerrymandered maps that disproportionately affect communities of color. The Supreme Court’s recent decision in Louisiana v. Callais has spurred some states to attempt to rapidly create new congressional maps before the 2026 midterms, which threaten to reduce Black and Latino political representation and disregard legal principles meant to prevent voter confusion and protect fair representation. The Court has made it harder to prove racial gerrymandering and approved partisan gains as a legitimate goal for redistricting, which together threaten to shut out the power of minority voters in areas like the South where race and party affiliation remain closely linked. The Selma marches helped secure one of the most significant civil rights victories in U.S. history. Sixty years later, voting rights remain contested as courts and lawmakers continue to weaken some of those hard-won protections. In May 2026, thousands gathered in Alabama for “All Roads Lead to the South,” a national day of action, organized by a broad coalition of civil rights, voting rights, faith, and community organizations. The event highlighted ongoing efforts to protect equal access to the ballot and push back against voter suppression. Whether through rallies, local solidarity actions, or community organizing, people across the country are defending the principle that every eligible voter deserves a fair and equal voice in our democracy.

SELMA, AL — May 16, 2026: “All Roads Lead to the South” Demonstrators march over Edmund Pettus Bridge on the National Day of Action for Voting Rights (Credit: Melissa Bender/NurPhoto/Shutterstock)

The People’s Guide to Voting Rights

Defending Free and Fair Elections

SELMA AND THE UNFINISHED FIGHT FOR VOTING RIGHTS

The debate over voting rights today also extends beyond ballot access and redistricting. The Supreme Court has also shaped elections through rulings involving campaign finance and financial disclosure requirements. Since the Citizens United decision in 2010, American elections have been inundated with billions of dollars of undisclosed political spending. Dozens of states have passed or considered bills requiring greater disclosure — efforts that some conservative legal networks actively oppose. As campaign spending is expected to reach record levels during the 2026 midterms, concerns about money in politics remain widespread across party lines. The Supreme Court recently struck down federal limits on how much political parties can spend in coordination with candidates. The ruling removes an important safeguard against corruption and further expands the influence of wealthy donors and money in elections.

72% of Americans said there is too much money in politics, while only 5% disagreed. The POLITICO Poll, April 2026

With many unknowns this election season, voting rights groups and election officials continue to urge voters to make a plan to vote and verify election information through trusted sources. The power rests with the people, and that is why some will try to confuse, intimidate, or discourage voters. Our partners in Democracy 2025 and our research teams are tracking election-related activity and will continue to monitor actions, threats, and litigation across the country.

The People’s Guide to Voting Rights

Defending Free and Fair Elections

Challenging Baseless Attacks and Threats to Election Administration Armed Agents at Polling Locations Since the Civil War, federal law has barred armed federal law enforcement and military from polling places during elections. However, after an initial period of deliberate ambiguity and obfuscation by President Trump, key government officials, and administration allies, DHS leadership has now confirmed a policy of authorizing armed ICE officers to go to polling places to police so-called “threats” and to conduct routine immigration and customs enforcement.

The law is on the side of democracy. Sending ICE or other armed federal agents to polling places is unlawful under federal law restricting federal and military interference in elections. Federal law specifically prohibits deploying troops and armed federal personnel “any place where a general or special election is held.”

Intimidation is illegal. Voter intimidation by any actor, including federal agents, is illegal under federal and state law.

Early mixed signals. In February, the then-acting head of ICE told Congress that there’s “no reason” ICE should be at polling places. That point was reinforced by Heather Honey of DHS on a call with state election officials. However, thenWhite House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a press briefing that she “can’t guarantee” ICE agents wouldn’t be near voting places. Over time, the government developed a new policy of authorizing ICE agents at polling places. In September, DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin confirmed and clarified this policy for DHS when he stated that DHS could deploy agents to polling sites for specific threats, and FBI Director Kash Patel stated at a Senate hearing that federal agents may be present at the polls.

The People’s Guide to Voting Rights

Defending Free and Fair Elections

CHALLENGING BASELESS ATTACKS AND THREATS TO ELECTION ADMINISTRATION

Legal Action: Protecting Voters Multiple lawsuits have been filed challenging armed agents at the polls. Democracy Forward Foundation and the Public Rights Project filed a lawsuit on behalf of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), Common Cause, UnidosUS, and the City and County of Denver, Colorado, challenging the administration’s policy of authorizing armed ICE agents to enter polling places for immigration enforcement purposes during the 2026 midterm elections. Another suit, brought by a broad coalition of civil rights organizations, labor organizations, and more, challenges the administration’s actions and statements that have intimidated voters and chilled their participation in the upcoming elections. A third suit seeks to prevent the administration from deploying armed federal agents to the polls. All cases remain ongoing.

The People’s Guide to Voting Rights

Defending Free and Fair Elections

CHALLENGING BASELESS ATTACKS AND THREATS TO ELECTION ADMINISTRATION

Threats to Mail-In Voting President Trump has repeatedly and falsely criticized mail-in voting as insecure and prone to fraud, while often distinguishing it from absentee voting, which he has described more favorably. Election officials note that absentee and mail ballots are processed through the same systems and security procedures, offer significant accessibility benefits to voters, and that Trump himself has voted by mail in some elections.

• Voting by mail is safe, secure, and widely used by voters of all parties. • Twenty-eight states allow voters to vote by mail without needing to provide an excuse.

• Eight states and Washington, D.C. automatically send ballots to

every registered voter, with five of those states holding their elections almost entirely by mail.

• The risk of voter fraud, whether by mail or other means, is

infinitesimally small — numerous expert analyses have found that there are only a handful of fraudulent votes cast each cycle out of millions of ballots cast.

• Given some efforts by the Trump-Vance administration to undermine the effectiveness of voting by mail, many people this cycle are choosing to vote in-person, vote early in-person (where available), or return absentee ballots to secure drop boxes rather than by mail.

• Given these concerns, voters who choose to vote by mail this cycle should be sure to return their ballots very early to ensure sufficient time for delivery.

• The Supreme Court recently affirmed that lawfully-cast mail-in ballots should be counted according to state and federal laws, including laws that allow for a grace period for mail delays.

The People’s Guide to Voting Rights

Defending Free and Fair Elections

CHALLENGING BASELESS ATTACKS AND THREATS TO ELECTION ADMINISTRATION

Legal Action: Federal Effort to Purge Voter Rolls Democracy Forward Foundation, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), and the Fair Elections Center, on behalf of the League of Women Voters (LWV), LWV of Virginia, LWV of Louisiana, LWV of Texas, and Electronic Privacy Information Center, have challenged federal efforts to repurpose Americans’ sensitive personal information to build an unlawful and error-prone national database to support efforts to purge voter rolls. The lawsuit alleges the Trump-Vance administration unlawfully merged sensitive and often outdated information about U.S. citizens across agencies — violating longstanding federal privacy law — and is sending this unreliable information to states to investigate and remove eligible voters. The district court in D.C. entered summary judgment in favor of the plaintiffs on June 22, 2026, ruling that the modified system is unlawful. The administration appealed and sought a stay from the D.C. Circuit, which denied the request. The administration then sought a stay from the U.S. Supreme Court, which, on September 25, granted the request. As a result, the administration may continue to make available to all states use of the modified SAVE system while the underlying litigation on the merits is ongoing. However, the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) bans systematic citizenship checks and mass voter purges during the 90-day period before an election, though it allows removals based on individualized information within this period. For three months, the district court order blocked the modified SAVE system from being used, and because of that order, we are now inside the 90-day “quiet period” before Election Day. As such, the modified SAVE system may not be used for systematic removals before the 2026 midterm elections. The Supreme Court decision does not change the 90-day rule and confirms this limit on the Why it matters: modified SAVE system’s use. In related litigation arising from a 2025 settlement agreement, a district court in Florida ordered the administration to restore modified SAVE functionalities for plaintiff states Florida, Iowa, Indiana, and Ohio. Plaintiffs in the D.C. case (represented by Democracy Forward Foundation, CREW, and the Fair Elections Center) intervened in the Florida case, and that matter is pending before the Eleventh Circuit.

The People’s Guide to Voting Rights

The case highlights the ways in which inaccurate data and unlawful data-sharing and consolidation undermine citizens’ privacy rights, lead to disenfranchisement of eligible voters, and undermine free and fair elections at a critical moment.

Defending Free and Fair Elections

CHALLENGING BASELESS ATTACKS AND THREATS TO ELECTION ADMINISTRATION

Legal Action: Lawsuit Seeks Release of SSA Records on Voter Data Agreement Democracy Forward Foundation is suing the Social Security Administration (SSA) for records about the so-called Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) improper use of the sensitive personal social security information of millions of people. The government admitted in a separate case that a DOGE staffer executed a Voter Data Transfer Agreement with an outside group seeking to overturn state election results. This case seeks the records related to that Voter Data Transfer Agreement. SSA has produced records showing whistleblower complaints concerning the Agreement, as well as email correspondence among DOGE, HSI, and U.S. Department of Labor officials related to individuals’ data. Litigation is ongoing.

Why it matters: If federal agencies are illegally sharing Americans’ personal data with outside groups so they can investigate so-called “voter fraud,” eligible voters could be wrongly targeted for removal from voter rolls ahead of a major election and subjected to intimidation or other targeting.

The People’s Guide to Voting Rights

Defending Free and Fair Elections

CHALLENGING BASELESS ATTACKS AND THREATS TO ELECTION ADMINISTRATION

Legal Action: Courts Block DOJ Requests for Voter Data Since May, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has demanded that nearly every state and the District of Columbia hand over voter registration lists, and has sued 30 states and D.C. for not complying with this demand. As of October, DOJ has lost 26 of these lawsuits at the district court level and won none. Nearly all of the dismissals have been appealed, but only one appeal has been resolved so far: In June, the Sixth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of the case against Michigan.

The People’s Guide to Voting Rights

Why it matters: The rulings underscore ongoing legal limits on federal access to state voter information and highlight the value of pushing back on federal overreach. You can read more about the DOJ voter data cases on Red Line for Civil Rights.

Defending Free and Fair Elections

CHALLENGING BASELESS ATTACKS AND THREATS TO ELECTION ADMINISTRATION

Legal Action: FBI Seizes 2020 Ballots in Fulton County In January of this year the FBI executed a search warrant and raided the election operations center in Fulton County, Georgia. The FBI seized approximately 700 boxes of ballots and records from the 2020 election. Fulton County, which includes Atlanta and its suburbs and is home to a large and racially diverse population, voted for Biden in the 2020 presidential election and since then has been the focus of farright conspiracy theories. Numerous expert analyses have demonstrated that the 2020 election was free and fair in Georgia and nationwide. However, the affidavit that the FBI used to obtain a warrant for the raid relied heavily on these debunked allegations. In response, Fulton County sued the FBI and DOJ challenging the warrant and seeking to have the ballots returned. On May 6, the district court sided with DOJ, allowing the federal government to keep the seized ballots. However, DOJ was

required to unseal the affidavit that served as the basis for the warrant, providing the opportunity for public scrutiny of the thin reasoning the warrant relied upon and revealing a timeline of its investigation, which showed abnormal procedures by DOJ. In addition, in April, DOJ attempted to obtain the names and personal contact information of Fulton County election staff, poll workers, and volunteers involved in the 2020 election through a grand jury subpoena. However, Fulton County moved to quash it as overbroad and retaliatory, and, in July, the court granted the motion and quashed the subpoena. Democracy Forward Foundation also filed a lawsuit seeking the communications of officials likely involved in this investigation, after the DOJ didn’t respond to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. This case is ongoing.

Why it matters: The FBI’s actions in Georgia mark an unprecedented federal seizure of state election records, raising serious concerns about the independence of local election administration, the weaponization of law enforcement, and whether the federal government will attempt to interfere with ballot counting in the 2026 midterm elections. The seizure of ballots and materials is emerging as a tool in the election deniers’ playbook to undermine public confidence in elections. This year, there have been related attempts in California and Arizona where ballots and other election records from past elections have been sought by law enforcement officials.

The People’s Guide to Voting Rights

Defending Free and Fair Elections

Sidebar: State Voting Rights Acts In response to the weakening of federal voting rights protections, many states have moved to strengthen voting rights by codifying anti-discrimination safeguards through state-level protections. Several states have adopted or are considering State Voting Rights Acts, which are designed to expand anti-discrimination measures, improve language access, protect communities of color from voter dilution, and make it easier to challenge discriminatory election practices in court. These laws are often modeled in part on the protections once provided by the Voting Rights Act of 1965 before key provisions were limited by the U.S. Supreme Court. Some states have adopted their own version of voting rights acts, while others, including several in the South, have introduced legislation aimed at protecting voters amid the weakening of federal voting protections.

Why it matters: Under the U.S. Constitution, states and localities are responsible for administering elections. As federal voting rights protections erode, state law has an even more critical role to play.

The People’s Guide to Voting Rights

Defending Free and Fair Elections

Why it matters:

Sidebar: Conservative Legal Networks and the Fight Over Elections Conservative legal and advocacy networks are playing an increasingly influential role in shaping debates over voting rights, campaign finance, and election administration. Figures such as Leonard Leo and Cleta Mitchell have become central players in broader efforts to restrict voting rights and reshape election law at both the state and federal levels. Although Leo’s relationship with President Trump has grown more complicated, reporting has linked political networks associated with Leo to a lawsuit challenging a successful Maine ballot initiative that capped donations to super PACs. The voter-approved law was blocked by a federal court, which ruled that the limits violated First Amendment protections for political spending. The decision was appealed to the First Circuit, and the appeal remains pending. The case reflects broader national battles over campaign finance rules and the influence of large political donors. Mitchell, a conservative election lawyer and ally of President Trump, is a leading figure in the far-right efforts to advance fears of voter fraud and correspondingly restrict voting rights. She leads the Only Citizens Vote Coalition, which advocates for limiting ballot access based on the false conspiracy of “noncitizen voting.”

These extremist legal and advocacy networks are reshaping election law across the country. Knowing who is driving these efforts, and why, is part of understanding the landscape of the 2026 elections.

Trusted Resources Election Protection: Know your Rights as a Voter Vote.org

“Election Oversight Group” Allegations About the 2020 Election in Fulton County, Georgia States United Democracy Center

How Widespread is Election Fraud in the United States? Not Very. Brookings

Know Your Rights: Federal Agents at the Polls American Civil Liberties Union

Mail Voting is Safe and Secure Bipartisan Policy Center

The People’s Guide to Voting Rights

Defending Free and Fair Elections

Election Administration: Election Officials & Poll Workers

VOORHEES TOWNSHIP, NJ — November 8, 2022: Woman enters a polling location to cast a ballot in the midterm elections. (Credit: Unsplash)

The People’s Guide to Voting Rights

democracyforward.org

Election Officials & Poll Workers State and local election officials and poll workers oversee elections and operate polling sites. Elections for federal, state, and local offices are all administered at the state and local level. Officials manage year-round tasks such as maintaining voter rolls, preparing ballots, securing equipment, recruiting temporary poll workers, and ensuring accurate ballot tabulation. Roles and requirements vary by state and county, but all play a critical role in ensuring secure elections and enabling eligible citizens to vote. In a year marked by heightened concern and expected high turnout, election officials have been preparing for a wide range of scenarios, from rerouting ballot deliveries and replacing malfunctioning machines to safeguarding ballots during events like floods or fires, often in coordination with police, fire departments, and emergency management teams. They are also preparing for emerging challenges, including potential election interference during the midterms.

Learn how to serve as a poll worker.

Trusted Resources Quick Reference Guide for Election Officials Brennan Center for Justice and Protect Democracy

Poll Worker Resources for Election Officials U.S. Election Assistance Commission

Protecting Voters and Election Workers from Armed Intimidation Brennan Center for Justice

The People’s Guide to Voting Rights

Election Administration: Election Officials & Poll Workers

What Election Officials and Poll Workers Should Know All voters have the right to be treated equally. All voters have the right to be treated equally regardless of race, color, ethnicity, gender, and physical or language ability.

Voter intimidation is illegal. Election officials should be aware that voter intimidation, even from poll workers, is illegal. This includes inappropriate questioning of someone’s voting history or personal information. Officials at the polls should report any incidents of threats or intimidation to the nonpartisan Election Protection Hotline (866-687-8683).

Voters may receive in-person assistance at the polls. Voters may bring someone to assist them at the polls or they may ask a poll worker to assist them. Providing reasonable accommodation, including for language barriers or disabilities, during the voting process is required by law, although the specific requirements may vary by location. If a voter requests assistance, they are still entitled to vote privately and independently; the individual assisting the voter should avoid looking at the voter’s ballot, unless asked specifically to do so by the voter.

Be aware of your state’s gun and open carry laws at election locations. Some states have passed laws prohibiting guns at polling locations or locations where votes are being counted.

Do not take actions that interfere with election processes. Free and fair elections depend on having qualified and trained poll workers from across the political spectrum. State and local officials must ensure that poll workers are prepared to follow the law and comply with lawful instructions during elections.

The People’s Guide to Voting Rights

Election Administration: Election Officials & Poll Workers

Take Action: Make a Plan to Vote

The People’s Guide to Voting Rights

democracyforward.org

Be prepared. Be informed. Vote with confidence. The People’s Guide to Voting Rights

Voting is one of the most powerful ways to make your voice heard. While the process can feel unfamiliar or complicated — especially for first-time voters — a simple voting plan can make the experience easier.

Taking a few steps now can help ensure you are prepared to cast your ballot and have it counted.

Review your options for voting early, by mail, or in person.

Make a plan for when and how you will vote in the midterms.

Register or Verify Your Registration Status Registering to vote typically takes less than two minutes. All voters should confirm their voter registration status well in advance of their state’s registration deadline, which can be as early as 30 days before an election. Voter registration rules vary by state, but checking early gives you time to update your information or re-register if needed.

The People’s Guide to Voting Rights

VOTER INFORMATION HUBS

Vote.org Vote411

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Take Action: Make a Plan to Vote

Casting a Ballot In-Person Voting In-person voting typically takes place at a polling place on Election Day, but voters may have the option to vote before Election Day at a polling location, vote center, or elections office. Many states allow voters to return their mail or absentee ballots in a secure drop box. Each state has its own rules and requirements for using a drop box. Voters should consult their local election office for detailed information regarding election dates, polling hours, and available voting options.

Early Voting Early voting allows voters to cast their ballot in person before Election Day. Almost every state offers some form of early in-person voting. Voters do not need to provide a reason for voting before Election Day. Early voting is conducted at local election offices, designated satellite locations, or assigned polling places, depending on the state or jurisdiction. Hours may differ from Election Day voting and often include expanded options such as evening or weekend availability, providing additional flexibility for voters.

Voting By Mail Voting by mail is another way voters can participate in an election. This process is sometimes called absentee voting. Each state and locality has its own rules for voting by mail. Some states require voters to provide a reason, or excuse, to vote by mail, while others automatically send ballots to all registered voters before an election. Common reasons may include illness, injury, disability, travel outside the voter’s jurisdiction on Election Day, attending college away from home, or military service. Voters should check their state or local election office website for specific vote by mail rules and deadlines.

The People’s Guide to Voting Rights

Take Action: Make a Plan to Vote

Take Action: Be a Poll Worker

Poll workers are critical to the success of elections. By signing up to be a poll worker this election season, you can help ensure voting is a smooth and accessible process for all voters. For more information about the specific requirements, hours, training, and potential pay in your jurisdiction, you can use this look-up tool.

Find Community with Together for Democracy

Dinners for Democracy and Coffees for Change, programs in our Together for Democracy initiative, are designed to create space and opportunity for people across the country to build community and engage in the work to protect and advance our democracy and the rights of people. Gather friends, neighbors, or co-workers for an inperson or virtual coffee or dinner and make your voting plans together. Sign-up for a free tool-kit that includes conversation starters, action items to advance democracy, a prodemocracy reading list, and more. These resources can be printed for your event to help facilitate discussion, encourage action, and build community.

Sign the 250 Pledge

We are seeking hundreds of thousands of supporters of the 250 Pledge in 2026 through the We Hold These Truths campaign. As our nation celebrates 250 years since the Declaration of Independence, this pledge reaffirms the fact that in this moment, it will take all of us to protect people, defend rights, and safeguard our shared future. Join a nationwide movement committed to the non-negotiables of freedom, equality, and democracy. It’s about principle, not party.

The People’s Guide to Voting Rights

Take Action: Make a Plan to Vote

Trusted Voter Resources Register to vote or check your status at Vote.org or Vote411.org/democracyforward. Make a plan with Vote411 or Common Cause. Both provide state-specific election information, voter registration guidance, and polling place details. There are also a number of nonpartisan voter assistance hotlines available in multiple languages at the Election Protection Hotline, a resource administered by the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. ENGLISH

SPANISH/ENGLISH:

866-OUR-VOTE 866-687-8683

888-VE-Y-VOTA 888-839-8682

ASIAN LANGUAGES/ENGLISH

ARABIC/ENGLISH:

888-API-VOTE 888-274-8683

844-YALLA-US 844-925-5287

The People’s Guide to Voting Rights

democracyforward.org

Democracy is not a spectacle to observe. It is a system that requires participation to survive. The 2026 midterm elections arrive at a pivotal moment, when the rules governing who can vote and how easily are being actively contested. The threats are real, but so are the tools available to fight back: the courts, community organizing, and above all, the ballot itself.

Nearly 7 in 10 Americans say voting is an effective way to have a voice in government. Economist/YouGov Poll, May 2026

Every section of this guide reflects a simple belief: An informed voter is a more powerful voter. Knowing your rights before you arrive at the polls, understanding the safeguards that protect your ballot, and recognizing the tactics used to discourage participation are not just civic lessons. They are forms of self-defense in a democracy under pressure.

The People’s Guide to Voting Rights

Take Action: Make a Plan to Vote

No matter your party, your background, or where you live, your vote belongs to you. Make a plan to cast your vote. Host a conversation in your community.

Share this guide with someone who needs it. Sign up to be a poll worker.

The fights that shaped this country’s voting rights, from Seneca Falls to Selma, from the Constitutional Convention to the courts of today, were won by people who refused to be sidelined.

The work continues. The People’s Guide to Voting Rights

This People’s Guide is a starting point. This guide is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to be legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. Additional resources online include:

• The Democracy 2025 Know Your Rights Hub offers practical information, printable materials, and multilingual tools from expert organizations;

• The Democracy 2025 Election Hub is a one-stop shop for

trusted information and resources, including sample litigation materials;

• Democracy Forward’s Power the Polls portal is a trusted

platform for recruiting nonpartisan poll workers to help ensure every polling place is fully staffed;

• Democracy Forward’s report, In the Records: Exposing and

Disrupting Federal Attempts to Interfere in the 2026 Midterm Elections reveals key information about the Trump-Vance Administration’s attempts to interfere in the midterm elections;

• Red Line for Civil Rights tracks changes to civil rights

enforcement, including voting rights, at the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division since January 20, 2025. The project also catalogs and analyzes the cases the division has abandoned, positions it has reversed, and new cases and policies that depart from its historical enforcement practice;

• OrdinaryPeopleAction.com includes opportunities to get involved to protect voting rights.

To learn more about how Democracy Forward is addressing these and other challenges while working to strengthen democracy, visit democracyforward.org.

The People’s Guide to Voting Rights

democracyforward.org