Voting Rights by State
Know your rights. State-by-state laws, Supreme Court decisions, and what to do at the polls.
Louisiana v. Callais (April 29, 2026) — LANDMARK: The Supreme Court (6-3, Alito majority) struck down Louisiana's majority-Black congressional map and gutted Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, ruling that using race as a factor in drawing districts violates the Equal Protection Clause even when intended to comply with the VRA. Civil rights groups call it the most devastating voting rights ruling in decades.
Tennessee carves up Memphis: Just 8 days after Callais, Tennessee Republicans passed a new congressional map signed by Gov. Bill Lee that dismantles the state's only majority-Black district in Memphis, giving Republicans a chance to sweep all 9 of Tennessee's U.S. House seats.
NAACP Tennessee State Conference v. Tennessee — A state-court three-judge panel DISMISSED the NAACP's challenge (with prejudice) on May 26, 2026, rejecting all constitutional claims and ruling the legislature acted within the governor's special-session call. A separate federal challenge is still pending before a three-judge panel (Chief Judge Campbell denied temporary restraining orders, noting voter confusion close to the election 'counsels strongly against' an injunction).
Tennessee federal panel allows Memphis map for 2026 — A federal judicial panel denied a preliminary injunction, allowing Tennessee to use the new congressional map that splits apart the majority-Black Memphis district for the November 2026 midterms. The ACLU of Tennessee warned Black voters in Memphis 'will face the first election since their congressional district was split apart under a map designed to suppress their voting power.' The underlying challenge continues on the merits.
League of Women Voters of Massachusetts v. Trump — A federal court declared unconstitutional key portions of President Trump's March 2026 Executive Order, voiding Sections 2 and 3 (which directed DHS to compile a citizen list and the USPS to restrict mail ballots) and barring federal agencies from using the order to interfere with state voter rolls or mail voting. The decision came in the state-led case (23 states + D.C., led by California); the LWV coalition's separate challenge is still pending but is expected to follow the same reasoning.
Trump v. California — Judge Talwani issued a SECOND ruling (in a consolidated case) again blocking the mail-voting Executive Order, declaring 'the executive branch has no authority to regulate elections.' The Trump administration then filed an emergency application (July 27) asking the U.S. Supreme Court to lift the injunction; 12 states joined the request, while 23 states + D.C. and 56 former judges urged the Court to keep the block in place. A ruling from the Supreme Court is pending as mail voting is set to begin in some states within weeks.
Wise v. Missouri (ACLU / Campaign Legal Center) — The Missouri Supreme Court UPHELD the state's mid-decade congressional redistricting map, rejecting challenges that it violated the state constitution's prohibition on mid-decade redistricting. The map that cracks Kansas City remains in place for 2026.
NAACP / Common Cause v. Trump Executive Order — NAACP, Common Cause, Black Voters Matter Fund, and Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights sued to block Trump's anti-voter executive order. A recent ruling allowed the order to proceed in that case; the groups are continuing the fight on appeal, arguing it sows chaos and illegally undermines state election administration ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Arkansas NAACP v. Arkansas — The Eighth Circuit ruled that private plaintiffs may NOT sue to enforce Section 2 of the VRA, and the U.S. Supreme Court let that ruling stand. The Callais decision (April 2026) further dramatically weakens any remaining Section 2 challenge to Arkansas's voting maps.
SAVE Act (2025-26) — Federal bill requiring documentary proof of citizenship to register. Passed the House but STALLED in the Senate. However, 14+ states have now enacted their own SAVE Act-style proof-of-citizenship laws, which critics warn will restrict voting for millions who lack a passport or birth certificate.
John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act — Bill to restore preclearance and update coverage formula struck down in Shelby County. Pending in Senate; faces significant headwinds given current Court makeup.
North Carolina voter ID — A federal court upheld North Carolina's voter-ID law (March 2026) in a win for Republican lawmakers. A 2026 ballot measure would enshrine photo ID for ALL voters (including absentee) in the state constitution. Litigation over race-based challenges continues.
Georgia SB 202 (2021) — 'Election Integrity Act' still being litigated across multiple federal lawsuits. Drop box restrictions, food/water ban at polls remain in effect pending appeals.
* Status as of August 2026. Laws and litigation change rapidly. The Callais ruling (April 29, 2026) has triggered new redistricting actions and multiple rulings since, and the Trump mail-voting Executive Order is now before the U.S. Supreme Court on an emergency basis — check Brennan Center, Democracy Docket, and ACLU for daily updates.
April 29, 2026 — Supreme Court Guts the Voting Rights Act
In Louisiana v. Callais, the Supreme Court (6-3) struck down Louisiana's majority-Black congressional map and — in a sweeping ruling written by Justice Alito — declared that using race as a factor in drawing districts violates the Equal Protection Clause, even when states do so to comply with Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. The ACLU called it a ruling that "eviscerates Section 2" and "destroys a key provision of the Voting Rights Act." Civil rights leaders say it is the most consequential rollback of voting rights since Shelby County (2013).
May 7, 2026 — Tennessee Immediately Carves Up Memphis
Just 8 days after the Callais ruling, Tennessee Republicans passed — and Gov. Bill Lee signed — a new congressional map that dismantles the state's only majority-Black district centered in Memphis. The map gives Republicans a shot at sweeping all 9 of Tennessee's U.S. House seats. The National Urban League warned: "As we predicted, the Supreme Court's ruling is already at work to dilute Black political power." Civil rights organizations are preparing legal challenges.
Since the Supreme Court's 2013 decision in Shelby County v. Holder, which removed federal oversight of states with histories of voting discrimination, over 400 new voting restrictions have been enacted. The 2026 Callais decision further accelerates this trend by removing the primary remaining federal tool — Section 2 VRA litigation — that minority communities used to challenge discriminatory maps.
Simultaneously, President Trump's March 2026 Executive Order attempted to impose new nationwide restrictions on mail voting. On June 25, 2026, a federal court struck down key portions of the order (Sections 2 and 3) as unconstitutional. On August 11, 2026, the same judge issued a second ruling again blocking the order and declaring that "the executive branch has no authority to regulate elections." The Trump administration then asked the U.S. Supreme Court to lift the injunction on an emergency basis; a ruling is pending as mail voting is set to begin in some states within weeks.
The result: your ability to vote — and the political power of your community — depends more than ever on which state you live in, and the legal landscape is shifting rapidly.
14 states: automatic registration, mail voting, same-day registration, no strict ID
9 states: mix of access and restrictions, often with active litigation
10 states: strict ID, limited early voting, broad disenfranchisement
Alabama
Strict photo ID required. No early voting. Absentee requires valid excuse. Felony disenfranchisement can be permanent.
Alaska
Ranked-choice voting for state/federal elections. No strict photo ID. Automatic voter registration but limited early voting options.
Arizona
Strict photo ID required. Purged inactive voters from permanent early voting list (2022). Out-of-precinct provisional ballots not counted.
California
Automatic voter registration, same-day registration, vote-by-mail for all voters, no photo ID requirement. Leads the nation in voting access.
Colorado
All-mail elections, automatic voter registration, same-day registration. Consistently high turnout due to universal mail ballots.
District of Columbia
Automatic voter registration, 10 days early voting, no-excuse absentee, same-day registration, felons can vote upon release.
Florida
Strict photo ID. Financial obligation to vote after felony (Amendment 4 partially gutted). Limited drop boxes. Strict third-party registration rules.
Georgia
Photo ID for absentee ballots. Restricted drop boxes (locked, limited hours). Criminal penalties for giving food/water to voters in line.
Hawaii
Automatic voter registration, all-mail elections, same-day registration. Leads the nation in mail-vote participation rates.
Illinois
Automatic voter registration, 40 days of early voting, same-day registration on Election Day. One of the most accessible states.
Indiana
Strict photo ID (upheld in Crawford v. Marion County). No automatic voter registration. Absentee requires valid excuse.
Iowa
Strict photo ID. Early voting window reduced from 29 to 20 days. Felony disenfranchisement until individual petition approved.
Kansas
Strict photo ID required. Proof of citizenship to register (struck down by courts but contested). Limited early voting.
Kentucky
Photo ID required. Expanded absentee after COVID, but restrictions reimposed. Felony disenfranchisement until individual petition approved.
Maine
Same-day registration, ranked-choice voting for federal elections, no photo ID. One of two states where incarcerated people can vote.
Maryland
Automatic voter registration, same-day registration, 8 days of early voting including two weekends.
Massachusetts
Automatic voter registration, early voting, same-day registration, no-excuse absentee voting.
Michigan
Constitutional amendment (2018) locked in automatic registration, early voting, no-excuse absentee, and same-day registration.
Minnesota
Same-day registration, no strict photo ID, automatic voter registration. Consistently highest voter turnout state in the nation.
Mississippi
Strict photo ID. No early voting period. Absentee requires excuse. Among the broadest felony disenfranchisement laws — some offenses result in permanent disenfranchisement.
Missouri
Photo ID preferred but not required (voters can sign affidavit). No dedicated early voting period. No automatic voter registration.
Montana
No strict photo ID but ID recommended. Vote-by-mail available. Same-day registration reinstated after legislative battles.
Nevada
Automatic voter registration, all-mail elections, same-day registration, 17 days of in-person early voting.
New Hampshire
Voter ID law with follow-up requirements for same-day registrants. Active legislative battles over college student voting rights.
North Carolina
Federal court upheld the voter ID law (March 2026). A 2026 ballot measure would enshrine photo ID for all voters including absentee. Strict third-party registration drive limitations. Active redistricting lawsuits.
Ohio
Photo ID required (expanded forms accepted). 28 days early voting but no Sunday voting in some counties. Strict provisional ballot rules.
Oregon
Pioneer of vote-by-mail since 2000. Automatic voter registration, same-day registration. Ballots mailed to every registered voter.
Pennsylvania
No strict photo ID for most voters. No-excuse absentee. Drop boxes contested. Ongoing redistricting and election law litigation.
Texas
Among strictest ID laws — limited acceptable IDs. Mail voting restricted to 65+ or disabled. Drop boxes banned. Criminal penalties for voter registration workers.
Vermont
Automatic voter registration, all-mail elections, same-day registration, no ID. One of two states where incarcerated people can vote.
Virginia
Photo ID required (various forms accepted). 45 days early voting. Automatic voter registration. Governor order restores felony voting rights upon release.
Washington
All-mail elections since 2011, automatic voter registration, same-day registration, no strict photo ID.
Wisconsin
Strict photo ID. Absentee drop boxes banned by state courts. Early voting hours limited by legislature. Ongoing redistricting litigation.
Your registration confirmation (printed or phone screenshot)
Optional in no-ID states but helpful if your name is hard to find on the rolls.
Valid photo ID (if your state requires it)
Check your state's specific accepted ID list — some states reject expired IDs or certain types.
Your sample ballot (optional but recommended)
Download from your county election website. Makes voting faster and less stressful.
Your polling place address
Even if you've voted there before — confirm it hasn't changed. You can lose your vote if you go to the wrong precinct.
ID requirements vary by state. Check your state's rules above.
Louisiana v. Callais (2026)
24-109 (April 29, 2026) · 6-3Louisiana had created a second majority-Black congressional district to comply with the Voting Rights Act, following years of litigation under Allen v. Milligan (2023). A group of non-Black voters challenged this as an unconstitutional racial gerrymander. The Supreme Court agreed — ruling that Louisiana used race too heavily in drawing the map, and that the VRA did not actually require it to do so. In a sweeping opinion by Justice Alito, the Court effectively declared that states cannot use race to draw majority-minority districts unless they can prove the district would be required under strict scrutiny. The ACLU says this 'eviscerates Section 2' of the VRA — the last major enforcement tool remaining after Shelby County.
Why it matters: The most significant rollback of the Voting Rights Act in decades. Within 8 days, Tennessee passed a map carving up the only majority-Black district in Memphis. Experts warn widespread redistricting to dilute minority voting power will follow nationwide.
Shelby County v. Holder (2013)
570 U.S. 529 · 5-4The Supreme Court knocked out the heart of the Voting Rights Act. Before this decision, states and counties with a history of discrimination had to get federal government approval before changing their voting laws. The Court said the formula used to decide which places needed this approval was outdated — so now almost no state needs permission anymore.
Why it matters: This opened the floodgates for new voting restrictions in states that previously needed federal oversight.
Brnovich v. Democratic National Committee (2021)
594 U.S. 647 · 6-3Arizona had two rules: your vote doesn't count if you vote at the wrong polling place, and only you (not a neighbor or volunteer) can return your mail ballot. Civil rights groups said this hurt minority voters. The Supreme Court said these rules were fine, and made it much harder to challenge voting restrictions under the remaining parts of the Voting Rights Act.
Why it matters: Made it significantly harder to use federal law to challenge state voting restrictions going forward.
Allen v. Milligan (2023)
599 U.S. 1 · 5-4Alabama drew congressional districts that packed most Black voters into one district, diluting their political power across the rest of the state. The Supreme Court — in a surprise ruling — said this violated the Voting Rights Act and Alabama had to redraw its maps to give Black voters a fair shot at a second congressional seat.
Why it matters: A rare recent win for voting rights — confirmed the VRA still protects against racial vote dilution in redistricting.
Moore v. Harper (2023)
600 U.S. 1 · 6-3North Carolina Republicans argued that state legislatures have total, unreviewable power over federal elections — meaning state courts couldn't strike down extreme gerrymandering. The Supreme Court rejected this radical 'independent state legislature' theory, preserving state courts' ability to check their own legislatures on election rules.
Why it matters: State courts can still review and strike down extreme gerrymandering under state constitutions.
Crawford v. Marion County Election Board (2008)
553 U.S. 181 · 6-3Indiana required voters to show government-issued photo ID at the polls. Civil rights groups argued this unfairly burdened poor, elderly, and minority voters who are less likely to have such ID. The Supreme Court upheld the law, saying the state's interest in preventing fraud was enough to justify the requirement.
Why it matters: Greenlit strict voter ID laws across the country — over 30 states now have some form of voter ID requirement.
Rucho v. Common Cause (2019)
588 U.S. 684 · 5-4North Carolina and Maryland drew district maps specifically to help one political party win more seats. The Supreme Court said this is a political question that federal courts simply cannot touch — even if the maps are extreme. State courts, however, can still address it under their state constitutions.
Why it matters: Federal courts are powerless to fix partisan gerrymandering no matter how extreme.
Harper v. Virginia State Board of Elections (1966)
383 U.S. 663 · 6-3Virginia charged a $1.50 poll tax before you could vote in state elections. The Supreme Court struck this down as unconstitutional, ruling that charging money to vote violates the Equal Protection Clause because it ties voting rights to wealth.
Why it matters: Ended poll taxes in state elections. Modern advocates cite it against requirements that felons pay all fines before their rights are restored.
Bush v. Gore (2000)
531 U.S. 98 · 5-4During the Florida recount in the 2000 presidential election, different counties were counting ballots by different standards. The Supreme Court halted the recount, ruling the inconsistent standards violated equal protection — and effectively handed the presidency to George W. Bush. The Court said the ruling applied only to this case.
Why it matters: Remains one of the most controversial decisions in Court history. The 'only applies here' limitation was widely criticized.
⚡ Section 2 VRA — Now Gutted (2026)
Louisiana v. Callais (April 29, 2026) has effectively ended the use of Section 2 VRA litigation to create or preserve majority-minority districts. States that previously created such districts to comply with court orders may now dismantle them. Tennessee acted within days of the ruling; the NAACP's state-court challenge was dismissed May 26, 2026, though a federal challenge to the Memphis map is still pending.
⚡ Trump Executive Order on Elections (2026)
President Trump's March 31, 2026 Executive Order attempted to impose nationwide restrictions on mail voting and ballot deadlines. On June 25, 2026, a federal court declared key portions (Sections 2 and 3) unconstitutional and void; on August 11, 2026, the court issued a second ruling again blocking the order. The administration has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to lift the injunction — a ruling is pending. The SAVE Act (requiring proof of citizenship to register) passed the House but is stalled in the Senate — though 14+ states have now enacted their own proof-of-citizenship laws.
Voter ID Laws
Over 30 states require some form of ID to vote. Strict photo ID laws disproportionately impact low-income, elderly, and minority voters. A federal court upheld North Carolina's voter ID law in March 2026, and a 2026 ballot measure would extend photo ID to all voters including absentee. Litigation continues in multiple states.
Partisan & Racial Gerrymandering
Federal courts cannot remedy partisan gerrymandering (Rucho v. Common Cause) but state courts can (Moore v. Harper). With Section 2 VRA now gutted by Callais, racial gerrymandering protections have also been dramatically weakened. The Missouri Supreme Court upheld the state's mid-decade remap in Wise v. Missouri (2026), leaving the cracked Kansas City map in place for the 2026 elections.
Felony Disenfranchisement
~4.6 million Americans cannot vote due to felony convictions. Maine and Vermont allow prison voting; other states impose lifetime bans. Florida's requirement to pay all fines/fees before voting remains contested.
Voter Roll Purges
States regularly purge voter rolls, sometimes removing eligible voters. Federal law requires reasonable notice and prohibits purges within 90 days of a federal election.
15th Amendment (1870) — No Racial Discrimination
The government cannot deny or abridge the right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was passed to enforce it — but its power has been weakened by Shelby County (2013) and Brnovich (2021).
19th Amendment (1920) — Women's Right to Vote
The right to vote cannot be denied or abridged based on sex. This was the result of decades of the suffrage movement. It applies in all state and federal elections.
24th Amendment (1964) — No Poll Taxes
No poll tax in federal elections. Extended to state elections by Harper v. Virginia (1966). Modern financial requirements before felons can vote (like Florida's) are being challenged as modern poll taxes.
26th Amendment (1971) — Right to Vote at 18
Citizens 18 years or older cannot be denied the right to vote based on age. Passed in response to the Vietnam-era argument that those old enough to be drafted should be old enough to vote.
Rapidly Changing Laws: Voting laws change through legislation, court decisions, and administrative action. Verify your state's current rules at your secretary of state's website.
Local Variation: County rules may differ from state law. Always confirm your polling location and registration before Election Day.
Not Legal Advice: For educational purposes only. If your rights have been violated, contact 1-866-OUR-VOTE or the ACLU.