The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for Aug. 10, 2026
On the 61st anniversary of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, Delaware enacted a state VRA prohibiting voter discrimination, suppression and vote dilution. Virginia’s governor signed legislation to expand its VRA and lay the groundwork for automatic voter registration in the commonwealth.
August 6th, Delaware Governor Matt Meyer signed House Bill 444, the Delaware John Lewis Voting Rights Act, prohibiting discrimination in voting, but also establishing a “democracy canon” instructing election officials, state agencies and the judicial branch to, QUOTE “construe the election laws in favor of protecting and making accessible the right to vote,” UNQUOTE. The extensive bill prohibits voter suppression & intimidation, the dilution of votes through gerrymandering, and provides for civil actions when discrimination occurs.
The same day, Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger expanded the commonwealth’s state VRA with the signing of 10 bills. The legislation includes provisions strengthening statutes prohibiting voter suppression, extending the cure process for absentee and provisional ballots, improving voter roll maintenance, laying the groundwork for automatic voter registration to make it more convenient for citizens to register, and other pro-voter provisions.
Delaware joins Virginia and 10 other states, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, and Washington with state-level VRAs, as federal protections continue to erode.
We’ve linked to the new legislation at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
National Conference of State Legislatures – State Voting Rights Acts
Governor of Delaware – Governor Meyer Signs John Lewis Voting Rights Act, Strengthening Voting Rights Protections in Delaware
Delaware General Assembly – HB 444 DELAWARE JOHN LEWIS VOTING RIGHTS ACT.
Governor of Virginia – Governor Spanberger Celebrates Anniversary of Voting Rights Act in Norfolk (includes links to 10 bills signed by the Governor)
Related ADM Reports:
American Democracy Minute – (2024) With the SCOTUS Majority Intent on Dismantling the Voting Rights Act, Pro-Democracy States are Enacting State VRAs
American Democracy Minute – Callais Decision Fallout as Louisiana, Tennessee, Alabama & South Carolina Scramble to Eliminate Black Congressional Districts
Groups Taking Action:
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State
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