Sixty-One Years After the Voting Rights Act, the League of Women Voters of Georgia Launches “How Georgia Votes”

A weekly series explaining, step by step, how Georgia elections work

August 3, 2026

ATLANTA, GA — Sixty-one years ago today, the Voting Rights Act was signed into law, a promise that every eligible American's voice would count. This year, as Georgians prepare to choose a governor, a United States senator, and leaders in every county from Whitfield to Fulton to Colquitt, the League of Women Voters of Georgia is marking that anniversary by launching “How Georgia Votes,” a weekly series that walks through exactly how an election runs in this state — from the moment you register to the moment the results are certified.

Each week between now and November 3, the League will publish a plain-language explanation of one piece of the process: how to register and check your registration, who runs elections in your county, how every Georgia ballot produces a paper record, how voting equipment is tested before a single vote is cast, and how the count is audited after the polls close. No jargon, no politics, just how it works, because Georgians deserve to see the machinery of their own democracy up close.

“Elections in Georgia are run by our neighbors in county offices in Dalton and Moultrie just as in Atlanta, and the process they follow is careful, layered, and open to public view,” said Jackie Killings, President of the League of Women Voters of Georgia. “When voters can see each step for themselves, confidence follows. That confidence is what carries people to the polls.”

The series begins next week with everything Georgians need to know about voter registration. The deadline to register for the November 3 general election is Monday, October 5. Voters can check their registration status any time at the Georgia My Voter Page (mvp.sos.ga.gov) or through Vote411.org.

About the League of Women Voters of Georgia

The League of Women Voters of Georgia is a nonpartisan organization that encourages informed and active participation in government. The League never supports or opposes candidates or political parties. Through roughly fifteen local Leagues across the state, volunteers register voters, host candidate forums, and provide trusted election information through Vote411.org. Learn more at lwvga.org.

###

League of Women Voters, Campaign Legal Center Celebrate Victory as Court Blocks USCIS Rule

Civic Engagement Groups Are Now Able to Resume Voter Registration at Administrative Naturalization Ceremonies

August 3, 2026

WASHINGTON, DC  — Today, the District Court of Maryland temporarily blocked a US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) rule that prevented nonpartisan civic engagement groups from registering new US citizens to vote at administrative naturalization ceremonies. The Court’s preliminary injunction prevents the new rule from going into effect while the case is litigated.

The rule — which was issued abruptly in August 2025 and without factual basis — silenced the voices of Americans, but has been temporarily blocked following a lawsuit filed by Campaign Legal Center on behalf of the League of Women Voters (LWV) and a number of state and local Leagues. Now, civic engagement groups can continue the important work of educating and registering new Americans at administrative naturalization ceremonies — a longstanding tradition that encourages participation in the political process.

“When people become American citizens, they should be welcomed into full participation in civic life, not met with new barriers,” said Celina Stewart, CEO of the League of Women Voters. “For generations, the League has stood beside new citizens as they take the oath of citizenship and prepare to make their voices heard at the ballot box. Today’s ruling protects that fundamental democratic principle, and we will continue fighting to ensure every eligible voter can participate freely and fully in our democracy.”

“Any attempt to limit the freedom to vote is an attempt to silence American voters. This victory protects naturalized citizens’ access to the ballot box and the constitutional rights of civic organizations that help new citizens exercise their democratic freedoms,” said Anna Baldwin, director of voting rights litigation at the nonpartisan Campaign Legal Center. “We’ll continue to fight in court to make this victory permanent and protect naturalized citizens and the groups that help welcome them into our democracy.”

The plaintiffs sued the administration for violating the First Amendment rights of the national League of Women Voters and state and local Leagues to engage in political speech and associational activities. The suit also addresses the administration’s failure to obey the Administrative Procedure Act that requires federal agencies to follow clearly defined and transparent procedures when adopting new policies.

"We applaud the District Court's decision affirming the LWVCA's right to return to USCIS administrative naturalization ceremonies, including here in Charleston, South Carolina.  This ruling restores essential, nonpartisan services and ensures that new Americans can more easily engage in our democracy from day one." - League of Women Voters of the Charleston Area

"This victory is a win for every Coloradan who believes in the promise of American democracy. For decades, the League of Women Voters of Colorado has proudly welcomed new citizens at naturalization ceremonies — helping them take their first step as voters. The USCIS rule tried to shut that door, but today's ruling keeps it open. We look forward to standing beside Colorado's newest citizens once again and ensuring their voices are heard at the ballot box." - League of Women Voters of Colorado

“Every new citizen in Saratoga County deserves not just a warm welcome, but the immediate chance to take part in our democracy by registering to vote the moment they take the oath of citizenship — a meaningful service the League of Women Voters of Saratoga County is honored to be able to provide once again.” - League of Women Voters of Saratoga County

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan, grassroots, membership-based civic engagement group that has long exercised its constitutionally protected right to educate and assist new Americans in registering to vote at administrative naturalization ceremonies. Over the past few decades, the League has registered hundreds of thousands of new US citizens to vote after naturalization ceremonies nationwide. No organization has done more voter registration at naturalization ceremonies than the League of Women Voters. Indeed, in 2024, the League registered more than 15% of all new American citizens to vote at naturalization ceremonies.

As a result of USCIS’s rule change, however, state and local Leagues were forced to cancel hundreds of planned voter registration events, where League members and volunteers expected to register thousands of new voters. Since USCIS’s unlawful rule has been in place, state and local Leagues have been prohibited from attending and assisting new citizens in registering to vote for more than eight months. But with this Court victory, the League can now restart its important work with new citizens at administrative naturalization ceremonies.  

###

League of Women Voters Responds to DC Circuit Court Ruling on Mail Voting Executive Order

July 29, 2026

WASHINGTON, DC — The League of Women Voters today issued the following statement from CEO Celina Stewart in response to yesterday's decision by the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit regarding President Trump's executive order on mail voting: 

"Yesterday's ruling does not change what is at stake for voters. The freedom to vote is fundamental to our democracy, and it is deeply troubling that, just months before the 2026 midterm elections, voters are once again being forced to navigate uncertainty and confusion about the rules that govern our access to the ballot.  

"While the court declined to block the executive order at this stage, the serious concerns surrounding this proposal remain. The Constitution is clear: states are responsible for administering elections, and voters deserve election rules that are transparent, stable, and designed to expand participation — not create confusion or create new barriers to the ballot box. It is shameful that Americans must remain constantly vigilant against efforts from the highest levels of government to make it harder for eligible citizens to vote.  

"Mail voting is a secure, reliable, and trusted option used by millions of Americans. Seniors, military families, rural voters, voters with disabilities, caregivers, and working people across the country rely on the flexibility mail voting provides to participate in our democracy. Efforts to restrict access to mail ballots risk silencing eligible voters and undermining confidence in our election system at a moment when Americans deserve certainty, stability, and trust. At a time when election officials should be able to focus on helping voters participate, this executive order threaten to inject confusion and fear into the process in ways that could deter eligible voters from casting their ballots—it is intentional and undemocratic. 

"The League of Women Voters remains deeply concerned about this executive order and its potential impact on voters and election administration. It is vital that Americans remember the power of their vote, and make sure unnecessary barriers do not silence their voice in the 2026 midterm elections. The League will continue to challenge policies that threaten free, fair, and accessible elections, and remains committed to ensuring every eligible voter has access to the ballot. No voter should have to wonder whether new restrictions, shifting rules, or political interference will stand between them and their constitutional right. Democracy is strongest when all voters can fully participate, and we deserve better." 

###