Background of the bill
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 and its subsequent amendments are considered the most successful civil rights legislation of the 20th century. Over time, the Voting Rights Act, and the protections it affords, has been weakened by federal court rulings, and enforcement by a hostile Department of Justice.
As a response to these problems, states are increasingly pursuing state-level voting rights acts. Since 2002, twelve states have successfully passed this type of legislation. They vary in scope, but all focus on protecting against discrimination in voting, particularly for racial and language minority populations.
In January of 2026, we proposed a Rhode Island Voting Rights Act (RIVRA) that could put into state law the protections similar to those provided by the Voting Rights Act, and in some instances, go beyond that landmark law.
The proposed bill includes the following elements:
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The RIVRA will provide a cause of action to challenge election practices that deny or abridge access to the ballot based on race.
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The RIVRA will provide a cause of action to challenge practices that dilute voters of color’s access to the ballot.
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The RIVRA will provide remedies for voters who face threats to their ability to cast a ballot, something that the federal VRA does not include.
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The RIVRA will require elections be administered in languages other than English when certain language-minority populations reach a threshold, just as in the federal VRA. Currently, Rhode Island has no requirements for providing language access in elections. The RIVRA will also have a second tier, set at a lower threshold, where some election services will be provided in additional languages, going beyond the federal VRA.
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The RIVRA will expand beyond existing protections in state law and the federal VRA to make sure voters with disabilities have equal access to everything they need to cast a ballot.
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In addition to the protections based on race and disability, the RIVRA will protect against discrimination in voting based on religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, country of ancestral origin, or marital status.
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The ability of private individuals and organizations to file lawsuits to enforce the federal VRA is under threat. The RIVRA will make clear that a private right of action also exists for private individuals and groups to file lawsuits to enforce the law.
Timeline of the RIVRA
July 17, 2025
Common Cause RI announces its intention to pursue a Rhode Island Voting Rights Act at the John Lewis Good Trouble Lives On event in Newport, RI.
March 3, 2026
Coalition partners join together for a Creative Lobby Day at the Rhode Island State House.
March 20, 2026
Then-Whip Katherine Kazairan, now House Majority Leader, introduces H8334.
March 31, 2026
The RIVRA Coalition hosts a press conference and campaign kick-off at the Rhode Island State House.
April 7, 2026
Voting rights advocates deliver testimony on the RIVRA to the Senate Committee on Judiciary.
April 16, 2026
Supporters of the RIVRA campaign deliver testimony to the House State Government and Elections Committee.
May 21, 2026
The RIVRA campaign gathers at the Rhode Island State House for a lobby day alongside advocates and legislators.
June 8, 2026
Secretary of State Gregg Amore, Senate President Lawson, and House Speaker Blazejewski announce that the RIVRA will not be brought to the floor for a vote in 2026.
Where the bill currently stands
On Monday, June 8, 2026, the General Assembly leadership, along with Secretary of State Gregg Amore, released a statement that the Rhode Island Voting Rights Act (H 8334/S 3143) would not be brought to a vote before the session broke for the year.
We were disappointed by this decision. As federal protections in the Voting Rights Act of 1965 are stripped away by the Supreme Court, we believe that our state legislature should have stepped up to protect voting rights in 2026.
Unfortunately, the legislature chose to let the Rhode Island Voting Rights Act linger in committee without being advanced to the floor for a vote.
Despite this outcome, we are committed to protecting Rhode Island voters and we are planning our next steps for the campaign. We’ll need as much support as we can get to make our efforts successful.