Here’s what states are doing about it
In April, the United States Supreme Court gutted the Voting Rights Act of 1965 — one of the most consequential policies in American history.
The ruling makes it nearly impossible to challenge district maps that dilute the power of underrepresented communities. Representatives can now choose their voters instead of the other way around.
Hours after the decision, Florida lawmakers passed a new congressional map designed to flip four U.S. House seats. States across the South began redrawing their maps, even in states where voters had already cast their ballots in primaries.
The Supreme Court didn’t just fail to protect your vote. The Court’s rightwing majority actively dismantled the protections designed to make it count.
But here’s what states that saw this coming did: lawmakers passed their own Voting Rights Acts. Ten states now have state-level protections in place. Maryland passed its policy in the final minutes of their 2026 legislative session (one day before the Supreme Court ruling) prohibiting discriminatory district maps and giving voters a path to challenge inequities in state court. It passed because Maryland had lawmakers willing to protect voters. And enough of them to get it done.
In fair elections, voters choose their representatives. The rightwing is trying to flip that equation — permanently. The state lawmakers elected this November will set the election rules and draw the maps that either protect or further dismantle our democracy.
The States Project has the tools, the data, the relationships, and the strategy to build governing power for the lawmakers who will protect competitive elections. What we need now is you.
