A Voting Rights Minute!

UCLA Applauds Senator Cervantes on the California Voting Rights Act of 2026 Being Approved by Assembly Appropriations

The California Voting Rights Act of 2026 (CVRA 2026) (comprised of Senate Bills 1164 and 1360) addressing vote dilution, language access assistance, and safeguards against voter suppression, was approved by the Assembly Appropriations Committee. VRP senior Staff Attorney, Sonni Waknin, says, "California led the country in 2001 when it passed the first state-level voting rights act in the nation. Now in 2026, California continues to lead way with the CVRA of 2026, which adds additional protections for voters against discriminatory districting and election practices."

Challenge to Florida Gerrymander Could Result in Historic First-Ever Jury Trial in a Congressional Redistricting Lawsuit

Today, the three Plaintiff groups, including individual Florida voters and represented by UCLA VRP and Campaign Legal Center, filed briefing supporting their request for a jury trial in their case against Florida’s mid-decade redistricting. Plaintiffs argue that this case, where parties challenge that the map implemented is a partisan gerrymander in violation of the Florida State Constitution, is not only eligible for a jury trial, but appropriate for decision by a jury given the significant issues at stake for all Florida voters. Argument on this issue is scheduled to take place early next month.

UCLA VRP Wins Mootness Claim in Galveston, Files Reply Brief With Texas Supreme Court

Last Friday, federal judge, Judge Jeffrey V. Brown, ruled that Galveston County's effort to adopt new election maps in between the primary and general elections was "highly suspicious." He further ruled that the remaining federal claims against the County’s 2021 map remained timely.

This week, the parties continued briefing in the Texas Supreme Court matter on whether Galveston County’s new maps for the general election can take effect, given that it deprives voters in the primary from voting in the general election, and allows voters who were not eligible to vote in the primary to vote in the general election, in violation of the Texas and U.S. Constitutions and Texas law. The County filed their response to Plaintiffs' Petition (represented by UCLA VRP, Campaign Legal Center, and attorney Neil Baron) and Plaintiffs filed their reply brief the following day. Parties now await a ruling or further instructions from the Texas Supreme Court.

VRP IN THE NEWS

Texas Supreme Court Asked to Block Galveston County’s Redistricted Maps Before 2026 Election

From Bernadette Reyes, Senior Staff Attorney, "Election rules should not change after voters have already begun casting ballots..." Read the full article here. 

Before the 2026 Election, Texas ‘ Supreme Court was asked to halt Galveston County’s redistributed charts.

From Bernadette Reyes, Senior Staff Attorney, "When regions are redrawn in the middle of an election, it poses a threat to both equal picture and trust in our political process. Our petition asks the court to defend those basic principles and right..." Read the full article here. 

💼Employment Opportunities - Come work with the VRP!🚨

Research Data Analyst 

The UCLA Voting Rights Project (VRP) seeks a Research Data Analyst to support research projects focused on voting rights, elections, and democracy. Under the direction of the Data Scientist, Faculty Director, and research team, the incumbent will assist with research activities involving demographic, electoral, and geographic data to support policy research, public reports, and other project deliverables. See the full job description here. 

Staff Attorney

The UCLA Voting Rights Project (VRP) seeks an experienced litigation, trial, and appellate attorney to work on a new project focused on California county, city, school, and state redistricting plans and election policies. Reporting to the Legal Director, the staff attorney/California Voting Rights Counsel will play a critical role in the VRP, developing a new program along with data scientists, to track and analyze redistricting plans and proposed changes within local jurisdictions throughout the state of California. See the full job description here. 

How else can I support the VRP?

We will be sure to update you on community events, opportunities, or individual actions you can take that support our mission. If you are interested in collaborating or sponsoring our work on a larger scale, please reach out to us at info@uclavrp.org. 

If you would like to support research, policy advocacy, and impact litigation to promote equal access to voting for all Americans, please donate here. We appreciate your support!