On August 8, local Leagues across the country will organize civic actions to mark the anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Signed into law on August 6, 1965, the VRA was a landmark achievement of the civil rights movement, one won through decades of organizing, sacrifice, and persistent civic action. It dismantled systematic barriers to the ballot and affirmed that the right to vote must be protected, and is not promised.
That work is not finished. Today, voting rights face renewed threats through restrictive legislation, reduced access to the ballot, and ongoing efforts to limit participation. The League’s Unite and Rise 8.5 campaign meets this moment directly. With a goal of mobilizing 8.5 million additional people by November, Unite and Rise 8.5 is the League’s most ambitious civic engagement effort and the August 8 Day of Action is a central pillar of that effort.
The Day of Action is not a standalone event. August 8 marks the moment that work becomes collective, visible, and connected to a nationwide effort. This day is not just a commemoration. It is a call to action, connecting the legacy of the VRA to the battles we are fighting right now, and to the organizing we must sustain for the battles ahead.
This Day of Action is an opportunity to:
- Honor the legacy of the Voting Rights Act
- Highlight ongoing barriers to participation (Unite & Rise 8.5)
- Engage new communities in civic life
- Strengthen long-term organizing capacity
Specific Activity. Our League will have a coordinated Clip-boarding campaign in low turnout locations around the county. Location will be selected based on where unregistered or underrepresented residents actually are.
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