Protected tens of thousands of voters from disfranchisement, intimidation, suppression, and election manipulation, and secured new precedents around the Ku Klux Klan Act and the Voting Rights Act.
Protecting Free & Fair Elections
Our Work
Without free, fair, and secure elections, voters have no voice, little control over the direction of the country; and few ways to correct course when things go awry.
Elections are the linchpin of our democracy. Holding elections, and ensuring that power changes hands in accordance with their outcomes, is the essence of democratic self-government. By defending them, we also protect our rights and our system of government.
This takes two steps. First, we defend the process of holding elections. We do so by making sure election officials are allowed to do their work without interference; that election systems are secure; and that politicians are unable to dictate the outcome or manipulate election rules.
Second, we protect voters’ ability to participate meaningfully in the process, free from intimidation and harassment.
By ensuring that elections remain free, fair, and secure, we maintain our collective ability to shape the future of the country — or, when needed, to change course. In that, we protect voters’ trust in the results, even when their preferred candidates lose.
- Build secure, accessible, and accurate election systems and processes that are free from interference from foreign adversaries or domestic political actors.
- Create guardrails that ensure voters and candidates abide by the outcomes of every election.
- Foster public confidence in the fact that elections are free, fair, and secure.
Helped defend the 2020, 2022, and 2024 elections from attempts to manipulate and subvert a free and fair result, and assisted in the passage of reforms to the Electoral Count Act.
How the Trump administration plans to interfere with the 2026 elections
We’re briefing major groups within faith, business, veterans, public health, and other sectors so that millions of constituents know about the Trump administration’s plan to subvert the midterms.
March 26, 2026
Protect Democracy files amicus brief on behalf of historians on state voter list cases
Today, Protect Democracy filed an amicus brief in cases involving the Trump administration’s unlawful demands to obtain state voter lists.
April 24, 2026
Voting rights groups sue DOJ to block national voter surveil-and-purge database
The complaint argues that the DOJ’s actions are unconstitutional, illegal, and a key component of the Trump Administration’s attempts to subvert the 2026 midterms.
April 21, 2026
Federal judge restores thousands of Virginians’ voting rights in historic ruling
In our lawsuit challenging Virginia’s racially-motivated felony disenfranchisement law, a federal court paved the way for hundreds of thousands of Virginians to have their voting rights restored.
January 22, 2026
Protect Democracy and the Campaign Legal Center file Supreme Court brief arguing that Mississippi can set its own ballot receipt deadlines
On Jan. 9, the Campaign Legal Center and Protect Democracy filed an amicus brief arguing that Mississippi is within its rights to set its own ballot receipt deadlines.
January 9, 2026
Former Republican members of Congress file amicus brief supporting the Voting Rights Act in the U.S. Supreme Court
The brief emphasizes that Section 2 represents a durable, bipartisan legislative achievement that reflects Congress's constitutional responsibility to protect voting rights.
September 9, 2025
Federal judge rejects broad bid to toss VACIR voting rights case
VACIR et al. plaintiffs’ core claims proceed and the case moves to discovery.
August 14, 2025
Former Republican members of Congress file amicus brief supporting Washington and Oregon’s Constitutional challenge to president’s elections executive order
Protect Democracy submitted an amicus brief highlighting problems with the President’s attempt to direct the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) to adopt his partisan priorities and influence.
July 21, 2025
Thousands of Virginians who have lost their voting rights could regain them through class action lawsuit
Thousands of Virginians could regain their voting rights. A first-of-its-kind lawsuit argues that Virginia’s felony disenfranchisement law violates a 150-year-old federal law.
July 21, 2025
Federal court rules in favor of voters in North Carolina post-election disenfranchisement case
The final judgment affirms fundamental voting rights and orders certifications of Justice Riggs' victory.
May 6, 2025
Protected: Executive Override: Protect Democracy Briefing March 2026
Understanding federal threats to the 2026 election and what we can all do to stop them
April 1, 2025