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A growing democracy collaboration co-chaired by SEIU and Catalyst California, that includes ACLU of Northern California, ACLU of Southern California, Asian Law Caucus, California Black Power Network, California Common Cause, California Environmental Voters, MALDEF, NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund, and the UCLA Voting Rights Project*

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Our partners include: AAPIs for Civic Empowerment Education Fund, ACLU of Northern California, ACLU of Southern California, Asian Law Caucus, California Black Power Network, California Common Cause, California Environmental Voters, Catalyst California, CHIRLA, League of Women Voters of California, Legal Defense Fund, MALDEF, Inland Empire United Education Fund, Partnership for the Advancement of New Americans, Power California, SEIU CA and the UCLA Voting Rights Project.

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We are at an unprecedented juncture in our country’s history where threats to our democracy are greater than ever. As the 2026 midterm elections rapidly approach, it is critical that we take collective action to address the real threats of voter intimidation, election subversion, historically low voter turnout, and the assault on voting rights by the federal administration and the Supreme Court.

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Anchored in the belief that our democracy should be by the people, and for the people, the California Democracy Partnership is a growing group of racial justice, civil rights, union and community organizations focused on making sure our democracy works for everyone who calls California home.We envision a society in which we, the people, have meaningful and equitable involvement in the political decisions and policies that affect our lives. This society will be just, fair, and inclusive, with respect for liberty, equal access, decency, human rights, and the civil rights guaranteed by the state and federal Constitutions.

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THE CALIFORNIA DEMOCRACY PARTNERSHIP is anchored in the belief that our democracy should be for the people and by the people. This coalition is an emerging partnership of racial justice, civil rights, labor, and community organizations focused on making sure our democracy works for everyone who calls California home.Interested in joining the California Democracy Partnership? Fill out this form today.

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The Democracy Partnership seeks to strengthen California’s democracy in 2026 and beyond to make sure every vote in the state is counted and ensure all eligible voters can easily make their voices heard.

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Senator Sabrina Cervantes

Dora Rose, Deputy Director of the League of Women Voters of California

Hector Villagra, Vice President of Policy Advocacy and Community Education, MALDEF – Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund

Julia A. Gomez, senior staff attorney with the ACLU of Southern California

Arnulfo De La Cruz, President of SEIU Local 2015 and SEIU California Executive Board Member

Sonni Waknin, Senior Staff Attorney, UCLA Voting Rights Project

Darius Kemp, California Common Cause Executive Director

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Read <a href="https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB1164" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">SB 1164 (Cervantes)</a> - Read <a href="https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB1360" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">SB 1360 (Cervantes)</a>

The California Voting Rights Act of 2026

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The legislation to protect and preserve California’s democracy comes at a time of escalating federal attacks on voting rights and local threats to election integrity.The California Voting Rights Act of 2026, also known as the CVRA of 2026, will stop discriminatory practices, challenge voter suppression, expand language access, tackle vote dilution, and give voters a direct means of fighting back when people in power attempt to silence their voices.

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Codify Section 203 of the VRA’s requirement to provide in-language votable ballots and all other election materials to groups that meet a certain threshold in a county.

Guarantee the federal VRA’s language assistance requirements under state law

Protect against district maps or election systems that weaken or silence the voting power of communities of color.

Prohibit Vote Dilution

Sacramento, CA – The California Democracy Partnership, a powerful group of labor leaders, voting rights advocates, and community organizers committed to preserving democracy in California, today condemned President Donald Trump’s illegal attacks on mail-in voting via executive order.The California Democracy Partnership released the following statement from Darius L. Kemp, MPA, Executive Director of California Common Cause:“Trump’s executive order is patently illegal and an affront to our democratic values, seeking to disenfranchise voters of color, low wage workers, and senior citizens. The Constitution is clear that the power to administer elections falls to states and Congress, not the President. The California Democracy Partnership stands in support of Attorney General Bonta and civil rights organizations across California who will rightfully take this illegal executive order to court to preserve free and fair elections in this country.“It is also clear that Trump's attacks on our democracy will only continue. The legislature must unite now behind critical investments in election infrastructure and voter education. This includes mobilizing trusted community messengers to counter the misinformation and erosion of confidence Trump's attacks are designed to create. Legislators must also pass the California Voting Rights Act of 2026 to strengthen our democracy against attacks that limit voters' access to the ballot box and sow confusion in an attempt to silence voices in our democracy." Background:Voting by mail has been integral to our democracy since the 19th century. During World War II, as American soldiers fought to preserve democratic institutions abroad, they exercised their rights to vote in US elections via the mail. And the 2009 MOVE Act further enshrined access to mail voting which cannot be undone by executive order. Since September 2021, all eligible Californians have received mail ballots for elections and in the 2024 general election, more than 80% of ballots returned were mail ballots. ###Anchored in the belief that our democracy should be by the people, and for the people, the California Democracy Partnership is a growing group of racial justice, civil rights, union and community organizations focused on making sure our democracy works for everyone who calls California home. Learn more about our work and Partnership members <a href="https://www.cademocracypartnership.org/our-caalition">here</a>.

Sacramento, CA – The California Democracy Partnership, a powerful group of labor leaders, voting rights advocates, and community organizers committed to preserving democracy in California, today condemned President Donald Trump’s illegal attacks on mail-in voting via executive order.

CA Democracy Partnership Condemns Trump’s Illegal Threats to Mail-In Voting

Require jurisdictions with a recent history of discrimination to obtain approval before making certain changes to voting practices.&nbsp;

Stop Voting Discrimination Before It Occurs

Gives groups not adequately captured in the Census the opportunity to show, through other sources, that they should qualify for language assistance.&nbsp;

Streamline and clarify the steps for language groups to receive assistance in voting

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As Threats to Elections Rise, The California Democracy Partnership Joins Senator Cervantes to Introduce The California Voting Rights Act of 2026Sacramento, CA – Today, the California Democracy Partnership, a powerful group of labor leaders, voting rights advocates, and community organizers committed to preserving democracy in California, proudly introduced SB 1164 and SB 1360, The California Voting Rights Act of 2026 (CVRA of 2026), with Senator Sabrina Cervantes (D-Riverside). The legislation to protect and preserve California’s democracy comes at a time of escalating federal attacks on voting rights and <a href="http://email.paschalroth.com/c/eJwczjHS2yAQQOHToA4P2l3AFBRpdI8VLAOJfssDxBr79BmnfsX7ckwe0dEicfWeyGMgs9QogSj4XAzsuzMgwYYiWFJiImDEpUUw4AyChRUsmVvJgShz8bkwE6-KzJNHqnz0c9ZbOn-WI9Y5n0PhLwWbgu26rtvBs_3I-HYFW-KjlbM_GivYxjz7W8H2HWmDGlDB1ttL-mhZdDr_PuZbjyq9laIrDz2kfSRrZ402xuidj-OcQ1fpMvRVeepL9J_HeS09_pZSFJnPZ8zO879vxl18lpUF0dm7EPmwIxXr4L4WRxaXGcHl4HBNmKzxLnlvg7cu351JK6NLyyvCvwAAAP__0Mtn0Q">local</a> threats to election integrity. The CVRA of 2026 responds to voter concern over attacks on our democracy, with <a href="http://email.paschalroth.com/c/eJwszs1O6zAQxfGncXa3smfG43jhRaUot1DYdu_4owm0dUgckPr0qMDup3M2_-iCQWRqklPGEBm0JJvR5TCwDW1Ewwmz5uANWaSBwLYxaGgmBxJYImhQoEnucrRE0WcTs_fklSA5-zWM_rKUOu5CuTYXN9Y6rwL3AnoBfSxh3Z1LOV_S4_9dtmu61QcF9Orp8F6Oz4fheHr5F75uEtL1uKf_h48TTGP3OgnoU5yqwH5bZ4HdOvplup0FcNmmKLBTSpNlpYyUVoGSkoClAF7qXLLAri5bEsBr_HOzuLeUsyB5v6918fUnvLohmZiUT4is20Rk7ICUNUOrMpPGpjrgaBlVwKCl4WCMtkZzbFkG5ZFD8-ngOwAA___ibGr-">polling</a> conducted in February of 2026 finding that two-thirds of voters support the state expanding its Voting Rights Act to guarantee that eligible voters are protected from discrimination and suppression.&nbsp;“We cannot stand by while Donald Trump and his Republican allies in Congress attempt to dismantle our democracy piece by piece. I’m proud to author the California Voting Rights Act of 2026 to preserve democracy in California. We must never allow the suppression or dilution of the votes of historically disenfranchised communities or discrimination against limited English proficiency voters. The CVRA of 2026 will bolster defenses against voter suppression and improve access to the ballot by ensuring more California voters can access election materials in their native languages. We have to act against the chaos emanating from the White House and protect the essential right of California voters to choose their leaders at the ballot box,” said Senator Sabrina Cervantes (D-Riverside).The CVRA of 2026 will:<ul><li>Prohibit Voter Suppression: Confront threats to voter participation and access to voting opportunities that occur through discriminatory barriers to the ballot.</li><li>Prohibit Vote Dilution: Protect against district maps or election systems that weaken or silence the voting power of communities of color.&nbsp;</li><li>Stop Voting Discrimination Before It Occurs: Require jurisdictions with a recent history of discrimination to obtain approval before making certain changes to voting practices.&nbsp;</li><li>Ensure Voters Can Directly Protect Their Rights: As voters’ ability to use the federal VRA comes under attack, ensure Californians can go to state court to enforce voting rights.&nbsp;</li><li>Require Courts to Interpret Laws in Favor of Voters: Direct courts to interpret laws and exercise discretion in favor of broad access and equal participation in the democratic process.&nbsp;</li><li>Guarantee the federal VRA’s language assistance requirements under state law: Codify Section 203 of the VRA’s requirement to provide in-language votable ballots and all other election materials to groups that meet a certain threshold in a county.</li><li>Expand upon current Section 203 language coverage: Lower Section 203’s numerical threshold for assistance from 10K to 5K of voting age residents in a county, and expand upon Section 203’s language minority categories to include all language groups.</li><li>Streamline and clarify the steps for language groups to receive assistance in voting: Gives groups not adequately captured in the Census the opportunity to show, through other sources, that they should qualify for language assistance.&nbsp;</li></ul>“As threats to free and fair elections worsen in California and nationally, working Californians are united in their call for legislative action to protect our democracy and increase election integrity – from more inclusive language resources to ensuring our democracy in California is protected and strengthened,” said Arnulfo De La Cruz, President of SEIU Local 2015 and SEIU California Executive Board Member. “Through the California Democracy Partnership, SEIU California and our 750,000 members are committed to standing with Senator Cervantes in the fight to ensure working people have our voices heard and are grateful for her partnership on the California Voting Rights Act of 2026.”A majority of California voters, across party lines, believe that our democracy is under attack or being tested. Protecting and strengthening our democracy is not a partisan issue but an opportunity for California to lead nationally in ensuring every voter has access to the ballot box and the opportunity to have a voice in our representative democracy.“Voting is under attack across the country by those seeking to clear the path for rolling back decades of anti‑discrimination law, to replace lawful immigration policy with brute‑force enforcement, and to recast political dissent as disloyalty and treason. And that is why the California Voting Rights Act of 2026 is essential. California must act now as the efforts to make voting harder and to limit remedies for the denial of the right to vote are only accelerating,” said Hector Villagra, Vice President of Policy Advocacy and Community Education, MALDEF – Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund.###

Sacramento, CA – Today, the California Democracy Partnership, a powerful group of labor leaders, voting rights advocates, and community organizers committed to preserving democracy in California, proudly introduced SB 1164 and SB 1360, The California Voting Rights Act of 2026 (CVRA of 2026), with Senator Sabrina Cervantes (D-Riverside).

As Threats to Elections Rise, The California Democracy Partnership Joins Senator Cervantes to Introduce The California Voting Rights Act of 2026

Lower Section 203’s numerical threshold for assistance from 10K to 5K of voting age residents in a county, and expand upon Section 203’s language minority categories to include all language groups.

Expand upon current Section 203 language coverage

Sacramento, CA – The California Democracy Partnership, a powerful group of labor leaders, voting rights advocates, and community organizers committed to preserving democracy in California, applauds the commitment made today by Governor Gavin Newsom, Senate President pro Tempore Monique Limón, and Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas to protect and defend our democracy.The California Democracy Partnership released the following statement from Aaron Robertson, Director of Political Voice for Catalyst California:“<a href="http://email.paschalroth.com/c/eJw0j83OmzAQAJ_G3Izs9c_CwYdeeI_1si70IxDZTqLk6atU6n2kmVkTo3PRD5IsIqAz6NywJTLoIrFHn2W2swWJMEkxpuRAOU_DnsBANM4EixYsjDETTxEm7_ws3kflzZ0ab3TUq28jX7fhSFvv96bcLwWLguWUVxuz1B855D3K-lCwgIGgYDGoYLFGwdJfl-7bXtemr6KZjr1c9dzpbDrLsctT9KPpVW4XV-K33pt-nKtUTb0T_-hG76ZPeen_Ir3_bvp-HYeCZajpj5SivPl8Wq_U_3X2BGwcZiwYPSKE-XsWplJyiASl2C8S1zk6y46DwciIYcYQ1ykatuQiD88EfwMAAP__MTFqPA">Two in three California voters</a> agree American democracy is under attack and Trump and his allies are only increasing their threats, looking for new ways to silence voters’ voices because they know that’s the only way they can hold onto power. The California Democracy Partnership is proud to stand united with our state’s elected leaders to fight attacks on our democracy. We will protect the right to vote and fight back against suppression attempts, ensure every vote is counted, and fight to ensure that ‘we the people’ means ALL people.”Get the facts:<ul><li>The Supreme Court has undercut the Voting Rights Act twice since 2013, and right now the Trump Administration is urging the court to gut core protections for voters of color, drowning out their voices with discriminatory district maps.</li><li>On Tuesday of this week, in Dallas, TX, we saw continued efforts to suppress voter turnout with last minute rule changes designed to make voting harder for everyday Americans.</li><li>Mail-in voting is under direct attack by Donald Trump and the RNC. They claim they are trying to protect election integrity but they are doing the opposite.</li><li>Trump has sent federal agents to confiscate voted ballots and personal information about voters in Fulton County, GA.</li><li>The DOJ, which had long protected the equal right to vote, is now being directed to overtake state voter registration lists and purge voters based on inaccurate information</li><li>Trump is actively trying to disenfranchise voters and tamper with elections state by state, trying to suppress the vote of the most vulnerable.</li><li>Trump has proposed making English the United States’ official language and eliminating voting materials in Spanish as well as Asian and Native American languages, which are currently protected by the Voting Rights Act Section 203.</li><li>Trump is trying to suppress the vote of seniors, women, people with disabilities, and people of color by attempting to enact strict voter registration requirements.</li><li>Despite his own 2017 commission finding no credible evidence of voter fraud, Trump is pushing the SAVE Act which will require government ID to vote, immediately denying upwards of 1 million Californians, who are otherwise legally eligible to vote, the right to vote. </li></ul>###Anchored in the belief that our democracy should be by the people, and for the people, the California Democracy Partnership is a growing group of racial justice, civil rights, union and community organizations focused on making sure our democracy works for everyone who calls California home. The California Democracy Partnership includes Catalyst California, SEIU California, AAPI ForCE-EF, Asian Law Caucus, ACLU of Northern California, ACLU of Southern California, California Black Power Network, California Common Cause, California Environmental Voters, MALDEF, and UCLA Voting Rights Project.

Sacramento, CA – The California Democracy Partnership, a powerful group of labor leaders, voting rights advocates, and community organizers committed to preserving democracy in California, applauds the commitment made today by Governor Gavin Newsom, Senate President pro Tempore Monique Limón, and Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas to protect and defend our democracy.

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California Democracy Partnership Commends Governor Newsom, Legislative Leaders for Commitment to Protect and Defend Democracy

As voters’ ability to use the federal VRA comes under attack, ensure Californians can go to state court to enforce voting rights.&nbsp;

Ensure Voters Can Directly Protect Their Rights

Confront threats to voter participation and access to voting opportunities that occur through discriminatory barriers to the ballot.

Prohibit Voter Suppression

Direct courts to interpret laws and exercise discretion in favor of broad access and equal participation in the democratic process.&nbsp;

Require Courts to Interpret Laws in Favor of Voters

SACRAMENTO&nbsp;— Governor Gavin Newsom, Senate President pro Tempore Monique Limón, and Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas today issued the following joint statement in response to continued threats by President Trump and his administration to interfere with elections in California.

Governor, Senate, Assembly commit to protecting elections from Trump’s federal overreach

Working to safeguard our democracy. For the people and by the people. We are a partnership of racial justice, civil rights, labor and community organizations

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