Why it is Crucial We Join Together to Protect Our Democracy

“Any time someone proposes a new step between a person and their ballot, that is our signal to look closer… History gives us a consistent answer. The people who end up locked out are the people who had the least power to begin with.”

Rashida Hanif, co-secretary on the board of the League of Women Voters Berkeley Albany Emeryville, shared this powerful message at the 61st Anniversary celebration of the Voting Rights Act on Saturday, August 8. More than 50 participants gathered at the E. Pauley ballroom on UC Berkeley campus under the theme of “Unite & Rise”, where organizational booths and refreshments lined the back of the room. Over the course of the event, a wide range of people spoke. From youth leaders and city council members to representatives of the Berkeley Mayor’s office, the speakers all stressed the importance of civic engagement in preserving democracy.

Two LWVBAE Gen Z board members Brayden Livingston and Sophia Lara also shared their perspectives on the Voting Rights Anniversary; Sophia began her speech by sharing a quote from Sheryl Lee Ralph, an award winning American actress: “Just because you have rights today does not mean you will have rights tomorrow”. This powerful assertion was one the crowd could easily understand; under the current administration, so much of America is moving backwards and bringing us back to the dangerous place that required generations of fighting to get out of. Brayden, who hails from Tennessee, spoke about the disappearance of voting districts that represented minority groups, like one he used to live in. Earlier this year, the Supreme Court’s Decision in Louisiana vs. Callais moved to discriminate against major minority-voting district protections, effectively silencing their voices from being heard. This movement of racial discrimination was a huge step back, especially considering the circumstances of which the Voting Rights Act was passed

In 1965, the Voting Rights Act was passed, but it did not come without years of struggle. The event took place after Bloody Sunday, when hundreds of peaceful civil rights marchers were brutally attacked by state troopers while crossing the Edmund Pettus Bridge. Led by John Lewis and Hosea Williams, the protestors planned to march 54 miles to Montgomery in an effort to demand equal voting rights for Black Americans. At the time, many Black Americans faced barriers to voting. The media sources coverage of what happened on Bloody Sunday sparked massive public outrage that eventually pressured federal leaders into passing the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Unfortunately, the fight for voting rights did not conclude in 1965. These rights are still under siege, and we were reminded how they must be continuously fought for. Just a week ago, a court in Shasta County blocked an anti-voting measure that would have prevented early voting, eliminated mail voting, required hand-counting ballots, and imposed strict voter ID rules on all residents. What’s more, the measure aimed to create a separate voter registration system that is disconnected from the state. The possibility of this measure being passed demonstrates how we must continue to stay vigilant and engaged with our communities.

Sadly, this Shasta County situation has not come out of the blue. Efforts to reduce access to voting have been spreading and there are now voting rights attacks to defeat in California, League of Women Voters of California Co-President and LWVBAE Co-President, Kandea Mosley Gandhi, said in her remarks to those gathered. These measures are often framed by right wing operatives as crucial for securing and protecting elections, but they are based on the “Big Lie” and fly in the face of reality. Proposition 39, the Voter ID initiative, would add identification requirements for voters, creating barriers to voting. Therefore, the League of Women Voters of California is leading efforts to defeat it because it is fundamentally opposed to the League’s goal of making voting as accessible as possible.

To actively improve rights in California, right now, the California Voting Rights Act of 2026 is moving through the State Assembly. The bill package contains important provisions to protect voters and prevent voting discrimination before it occurs. The bill package essentially prohibits voter suppression and vote dilution, and will expand language assistance to those that need it. This is especially important for minority groups that are often the communities who are targeted for exclusion and to think that their voice does not matter. To support this bill, Sharon Goldfarb, the co-president of the League of Women Voters Berkeley Albany Emeryville, encouraged members to work together to send a short message to our local lawmakers, especially in the next few weeks, after the League of Women Voters of California issues an action alert.

On an individual level, participants were reminded to verify their voter registration and commit to voting early or by mail this fall. Goldfarb also advised audience members to encourage those around them to participate and provide support to women, rural voters, and minorities that are in the midst of being heavily targeted. Volunteering for the League is another way to get involved and keeps residents informed during election season. While the work of protecting voting rights is far from over, we must continue our fight for democracy to ensure a brighter future for generations to come.

–Sophia Lara and Genevieve Yang

Check that you are registered to vote using this link: Check Your Voter Registration Status – Vote.org

More info about volunteering for the League: Volunteer for the Upcoming Election | League of Women Voters Berkeley Albany Emeryville

More information on SB 1164 and SB 1360: CA Senate Stands United to Protect and Defend Democracy, Passes Landmark State Voting Rights Legislation – League of Women Voters of California