Voting is the single most significant way Americans exercise our political power. But the tight races and charged politics of the past two decades underscore the importance of making sure our voting systems are well run, secure against threats and mishaps, and geared toward the genuine and diverse needs of American communities.

What’s more, with some exceptions, registration and turnout are disappointingly low — and so is voter confidence in election results, particularly at the national level. Voter trust is further eroded by a legacy of disenfranchisement and suppression that continues to this day, as well as by an uneven embrace of effective and efficient voting practices across states and districts.

The Elections program works to ensure that all Americans, especially those who have been historically underrepresented at the polls, have the opportunity to fully participate in the democratic process and freely vote for the candidates and issues that represent their communities. All Americans should be able to access a modern voting system that is easy and secure and expects that their vote will be faithfully counted.

The challenges are varied and unlikely to be resolved with a one-size-fits-all solution. Accordingly, our approach is multifaceted and collaborative. We engage in research and develop feedback from the field, advocate for innovative ideas to modernize elections, invest in organizations working on voter-centric reforms, collaborate with local election officials to help improve processes, and support litigation to protect civil and voting rights.