The Racist Roots of Felony Disenfranchisement in Virginia

Black History Month ends today, but racial injustices persist and remain a pervasive part of Black lives and Black experiences in America. It is important to take a long hard look at the history we carry and examine systems of racial oppression and how they manifest in modern-day Virginia.

By Phuong Tran

protesters holding a sign that says "voting bans: racist then, racist now"

Don't turn back now: Pass Virginia's bipartisan gerrymandering solution

By Paul Smith, vice president of Campaign Legal Center, and Claire Gastañaga, executive director of the ACLU of Virginia. This op-ed was originally published in The Roanoke Times on Sunday, Feb.9, 2020.

two protesters holding signs that say "End gerrymandering now" and "Democracy means the people choose their reps, not the other way around"

Dr. Martin Luther King: “Everything that we see is a shadow cast by that which we do not see”

We look to Dr. King as a beacon of hope as we continue his work and the work of those who came before us to free all people from the shadows of oppression, so that all of us can breathe free and have a voice in our America.

By Phuong Tran

a statue of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Washington DC at sunset

It’s Time to Expand True No-Excuse Absentee Voting to All Virginians

Voting by no-excuse absentee ballot has been successful in other localities across the country. Adopting a true no-excuse absentee voting would simplify the process, increase voter participation, and help expand Virginians' access to cast their vote they deserve.

protesters holding signs that say "respect my vote" and "end voter suppression"

Same-day Registration Helps Make Voting More Accessible to All Virginians

It is time to join the 19 other states that have passed same-day registration and eliminate this unnecessary barrier to the ballot box. We need to make it easier for people to vote, and that starts with getting rid of voter registration deadlines that disproportionately silence communities of color.

A protest sign that says "Your Vote Matters" against a background of red maple leaves

From the ACLU-VA to You: Thank You for Fighting alongside Us

On this Giving Tuesday, we at the ACLU of Virginia would like to say thank you. Thank you to each of our donors, members, partners, clients, and supporters. Thank you for your bravery, trust, and generosity. Each of you contributes to the impact we make and the forward progress we have created.

By Phuong Tran

A modern take on the Philadelphia Convention where the U.S. Constitution was ratified, with a wide, diverse groups of people (LGBTQ, people with disabilities, Black Lives Matter, Native Americans, etc.)

We Should All Care about Candidates' Stance on Voting Rights. Here's Why.

Voting in America is our fundamental right, not a privilege. It’s our duty to protect everyone’s voting rights by electing people who will work to end voter disenfranchisement.

A group of black youths holding signs that say "still fighting for voting rights"

Know Your Rights: Voting in Jail

Voting is our fundamental right as citizens, and everyone who is eligible to vote should have equal access to exercise their rights. However, there is a misconception that people who are confined in a jail or formerly incarcerated have lost that right completely.

By acluva

A capitol building is surrounded by a "Vote" sticker and a hand that enters a ballot into a ballot box.

The Right to Vote Belongs to the People

The right to vote is fundamental to our democracy. It must be treated as irrevocable. Politicians should not be able to use the right to vote to reward or punish people. The right to vote should be treated in the same respect as other fundamental rights in our democracy, such as freedom of religion

a group of black voters held signs that say "still fighting for voting rights"