Achieving meaningful progress on climate change requires an equitable democracy — one that allows voters to freely and fairly elect the leaders who represent their communities.

We’re reaching out to you today because your support has been crucial to making that happen — and we have some big updates.

Thank you, Friend.

Communities most impacted by environmental injustice are often the same communities that have historically been denied access to the ballot box, including communities of color, rural communities, low-wealth communities, people with disabilities, youth, and elderly people.

When we have a strong democracy, we can build a stronger environmental movement. LCV is constantly working alongside our 30 state affiliates to advance environmental justice through critical advocacy and organizing work across the country. Here are just a few things we accomplished this past legislative session alongside state affiliates:

• In Arizona: our partners at Chispa Arizona fought back against multiple legislative efforts that would restrict voting, including racist voter ID legislation and legislation that would limit the ability for voters to pass ballot initiatives. Through intense campaigning, they kept these bills at bay: Learn more >>
• In Montana: our partners at Montana Conservation Voters (MCV) stopped gerrymandered redistricting and helped implement a fairly drawn state legislative map that will remain in place for the next ten years. MCV also successfully pushed back against anti-voter laws that would further suppress voters from marginalized groups, including a bill threatening to remove voting rights from Indigenous voters living on reservations. Learn more >>
• In Utah: our partners, the Rural Utah Project (RUP), successfully advocated to pass HB37, which requires that voters be notified of possible ballot errors and solidifies a fair process for ballot rejection. RUP also pushed back against multiple vote-by-mail bills and a voter ID bill that would have further disenfranchised voters who are already historically excluded from the electoral process, including the ability to vote by mail. Learn more >>
• In Illinois: our partners at Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) are advocating to pass HB989, which would restore voting rights to incarcerated voters. The bill would ensure that communities disproportionately impacted by both higher rates of incarceration and environmental injustice have a voice, and vote for policies and elected officials that reflect the needs of their communities. Watch: Why Voting Rights Restoration is Crucial for Climate and Justice>>

Each of these fights is BIG. And we’re not stopping there.

We’re continuing to invest in more than a dozen states where voter protections are most in jeopardy. We’re also working to implement and expand voter access through early voting, vote-by-mail, and same day and automatic voter registration. And, we’re working to restore voting rights to incarcerated people throughout the country. Learn more >>

Thanks for your continued support of LCV, Friend. We’re facing serious threats to democracy right now — the ONLY way we can protect it is with a powerful movement that’s ready to fight.

Onward,

LCV Democracy Team

P.S.: We can only keep the environmental movement going if people have the power to vote. Consider making a gift to LCV today so that we can continue to secure voting rights.