Protecting the Right to Vote

We are in a time when democratic principles and norms are at grave risk. The U.S. Supreme Court is poised to further undermine the federal Voting Rights Act; the Trump administration is threatening to end mail voting; Congress is advancing extreme legislation that would create new barriers to voting for voters of color, younger voters, and others; and states are facing unprecedented demands from the federal government to share sensitive and private information on voters. With the voting rights of Americans threatened in ways we haven’t seen since the dawn of the civil rights era, it’s no wonder public polling shows that threats to Democracy are top of mind for California voters, with two in three agreeing that American democracy is under attack.  

It’s more important than ever for California to lead the way in protecting and expanding the right to vote. That’s why, starting last year, the Haas, Jr. Fund began to convene our strategic partners to consider what the state needed to do to respond. Out of these meetings a new collaborative was formed to defend hard-fought gains and go the next step in strengthening democracy in our state, while showing the nation what works to ensure that more eligible voters can have a vote and a voice.

The California Democracy Partnership unites a growing network of funders and racial justice, civil rights, labor, and community organizations around a shared agenda to protect the 2026 elections and establish California as a model of inclusive, multiracial democracy.

About the California Democracy Partnership 

The California Democracy Partnership is co-chaired by Catalyst California and SEIU California and includes ACLU of Northern California, ACLU of Southern California, AAPI for Civic Empowerment Education Fund, Asian Law Caucus, California Black Power Network, California Common Cause, California Environmental Voters, CHIRLA, Inland Empire United Education Fund, League of Women Voters of California, MALDEF, Partnership for the Advancement of New Americans, Power California, and the UCLA Voting Rights Project.

The California Democracy Partnership is proud to stand united 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 that ‘we the people’ means ALL people.

Aaron Robertson, Director, Political Voice for Catalyst California

To address the immediate threats to California’s and our nation’s democracy, this cross-sector collaborative is working on the following policy goals in its first year:

Defend against interference in California’s elections by safeguarding voters from intimidation and fortifying systems to prevent election interference by federal officials and others.

Stand up for California voters and elections officials by establishing and training a state Election Corps that can monitor and protect polling sites, drop boxes and address other needs.  

Lead the fight for voting rights by strengthening and creating new voter protections and fighting voter suppression efforts like restrictive new voter ID requirements.

Bring every eligible voter into our democracy through a state-funded democracy initiative that uses public/private partnerships to counter misinformation and reach marginalized voters.

Count every ballot and respond to attempts to undermine mail voting by leading the country with vote-by-mail reforms that make sure every vote is counted. 

While it’s early in the effort, the Governor and legislative leadership have already signaled that they agree with the Partnership that decisive action is needed to secure our elections this year. 

And this is just the start. The Partnership is working to form and convene an even wider coalition of organizations and allies to help envision and fight for a long-term agenda to make California a truly inclusive multiracial democracy.  

At the Haas, Jr. Fund, we are excited to be supporting this growing partnership. With the critical 2026 general election so close, we are urging colleague funders and other partners to join us in this vital effort to protect and expand the fundamental democratic rights of all Californians. We have partnered with the Silicon Valley Community Foundation and several other national, state, and local funders to support the work of the Partnership. Please reach out to me if you’re interested in learning more.  

Find out more about this new partnership here.