Make Voting a Constitutional Right

A democracy that does not protect the vote is no democracy at all. Yet across the nation, barriers to the ballot box persist—voter purges, gerrymandering, ID laws, and polling place closures designed to silence the people. The right to vote should not depend on race, wealth, or ZIP code. It must be guaranteed.

The solution is clear: Make voting a constitutional right. No more state-by-state gamesmanship, no more loopholes for suppression. Enshrine universal access to the ballot in the highest law of the land.

This is not partisan—it is American. A government of the people must be chosen by the people. Ensuring fair elections strengthens the republic, restores trust, and upholds the promise of self-rule.

Action must follow principle. Demand automatic registration, mail-in voting, and an Election Day holiday. Fight for independent redistricting. Support leaders who defend democracy, not restrict it.

A vote is a voice. A voice is power. Let no one silence it. Make voting a constitutional right—so that democracy belongs to all, not just the privileged few.

Key Stats

1. Voter Suppression Impact: Studies by the Brennan Center for Justice indicate that restrictive voter ID laws and purges have reduced voter turnout by an estimated 2–3 percentage points among minority and low-income communities, effectively silencing millions of voices.

2. Gerrymandering and Representation: Research from the Princeton Gerrymandering Project has shown that partisan gerrymandering can skew electoral outcomes, reducing competitiveness by as much as 25%, which undermines fair representation and dilutes the power of individual votes.

3. Polling Place Closures: Analysis of the 2016 election cycle reveals that over 200 polling locations were closed in critical battleground states, resulting in an estimated 3% drop in voter turnout in those areas—directly impacting marginalized voters.

4. Registration Barriers: Data demonstrates that states lacking automatic voter registration have turnout rates that are 10–15% lower compared to states that implement it, highlighting how systemic registration obstacles prevent millions from casting their ballots.

5. Mail-In Voting Benefits: Research suggests that expanding mail-in voting could boost overall voter participation by up to 8%, particularly among underrepresented groups, ensuring a more inclusive and robust democratic process.

Our Allies

1. Brennan Center for Justice
   Conducts research, litigation, and advocacy to reform electoral systems and end partisan gerrymandering, while advancing broad voting rights.

2. ACLU Voting Rights Project
   Uses litigation and advocacy to protect constitutional voting rights and dismantle discriminatory voting practices across the country.

3. RepresentUs
   A grassroots coalition that challenges political corruption, including unfair redistricting practices that dilute voter power.

4. Voto Latino
   Mobilizes Latino communities through voter education and outreach, working to ensure that systemic barriers do not hinder full electoral participation.

5. NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund (LDF)
   Engages in legal and policy advocacy to protect and expand voting rights, particularly in communities affected by racial discrimination.

10 Steps

1. Conduct a Comprehensive Electoral Audit
   Leverage data from the Brennan Center for Justice, the U.S. Census Bureau, and academic research to document discrepancies between the popular vote and electoral outcomes. For instance, in the 2000 and 2016 elections, candidates won the presidency despite losing the national popular vote by margins of over 500,000 and nearly 3 million votes respectively. This audit will map regional disparities and quantify the distortion, establishing a robust, data-driven baseline for reform.

2. Build a Multi-Stakeholder Coalition for Electoral Reform
   Assemble a coalition of organizations such as the League of Women Voters, Common Cause, and the Campaign Legal Center, alongside civic educators, political reform advocates, and grassroots groups. Convene an inaugural summit with representatives from at least 50 organizations across the country to pool expertise, share resources, and unify calls for a system that guarantees one person, one vote.

3. Develop a Detailed Legislative and Constitutional Agenda
   Craft a comprehensive policy blueprint that calls for the abolition of the Electoral College. Proposals should include joining or expanding the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact (NPVIC) and drafting a constitutional amendment declaring that the presidency be decided solely by the national popular vote. Set clear benchmarks—such as obtaining participation from states representing 270 electoral votes within three years—to guide lawmakers with precise, evidence-backed targets.

4. Launch a Data-Driven Public Awareness Campaign
   Utilize compelling statistics and personal narratives to reshape public understanding of democratic fairness. For example, studies show that over 80% of Americans believe every vote should carry equal weight. Deploy a multi-platform media strategy—using social media, interactive webinars, and town hall meetings—with goals such as reaching 2 million individuals and increasing public support for abolishing the Electoral College by at least 25% over the next year.

5. Implement Targeted Lobbying and Policy Advocacy
   Organize strategic meetings, policy briefings, and public hearings with key legislators, especially those on the House Oversight and Judiciary Committees. Present the legislative agenda alongside hard data—such as the economic and social costs of electoral distortions—and personal testimonies from voters in swing states. Aim to secure commitments from at least 30 influential policymakers to sponsor electoral reform initiatives.

6. Mobilize Grassroots and Community Action
   Coordinate with local civic organizations to organize rallies, petition drives, and digital campaigns demanding equal representation in the presidential election. Distribute comprehensive advocacy toolkits—including sample letters, social media graphics, and guidelines for contacting elected officials—to empower communities. Set measurable targets, such as increasing grassroots events by 40% and collecting over 500,000 petition signatures nationwide within 18 months.

7. Establish a Legal Defense and Rapid Response Team
   Form a dedicated legal unit drawing on expertise from organizations like the ACLU and public interest law firms to challenge any legal obstacles to reform and defend new measures in court. This team should be prepared to initiate legal action within 48 hours of encountering challenges, with historical precedents demonstrating that swift legal intervention can secure landmark rulings that reinforce the principle of one person, one vote.

8. Implement Robust Monitoring and Accountability Mechanisms
   Create an independent oversight board comprised of former legislators, constitutional scholars, and representatives from transparency watchdog groups. Develop a publicly accessible dashboard—updated quarterly—with key performance indicators such as progress in state participation in the NPVIC, advancements in legislative milestones, and public opinion trends. This transparency, modeled on best practices from governmental accountability initiatives, will allow for continuous evaluation and timely adjustments.

9. Engage in Strategic Electoral Politics
   Identify and support political candidates with a proven commitment to democratic reform. Organize targeted voter registration drives and issue-focused campaigns in key swing districts, leveraging data from organizations like CIRCLE to focus outreach efforts on communities most affected by the current system. Aim to mobilize tens of thousands of new, reform-minded voters before the next election cycle, thereby reshaping the political landscape toward true representation.

10. Institutionalize Electoral Reform for Long-Term Impact
    Partner with universities, think tanks, and civic organizations to develop standardized training programs and policy manuals that embed electoral reform into federal and state governance. Establish permanent commissions—such as a National Commission on Democratic Integrity—to review and update electoral policies every two years. Commission longitudinal studies to assess the long-term impacts on voter engagement, political equality, and democratic governance, ensuring that reform efforts evolve alongside societal needs.