From Susan B. Anthony to Sojourner Truth, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton to Ida B. Wells,  women have always been at the forefront of movements to ensure every American can access the ballot box.  

This Women’s History Month, we’re shining a light on three women here at Common Cause who are leading the charge to enact state-level Voting Rights Acts in Colorado, Florida, and Maryland. This effort to protect our voting rights is especially timely considering just this week, Trump issued an unlawful, unconstitutional executive order attempting to take over our elections.  

As we continue to face federal attacks on voting rights, these incredible women are on the frontlines, demanding state legislatures stand up and protect your freedom to vote. 

Aly Belknap, Colorado Common Cause  

Aly has served as the Executive Director for Colorado Common Cause since June 2023. Based in Denver, she has over a decade of experience in youth voter engagement, grassroots organizing, and election policy.  

The Colorado Voting Rights Act (Bill 001) will codify in state law, and expand upon, the voter protections of the federal Voting Rights Act, prohibiting discrimination in elections and voting, and ensuring all eligible voters have the right to vote protected. The bill introduces new concepts to state VRA legislation, including explicit protections for LGBTQ+ voters and for voters confined in jail during an election., and The bill also establishes Colorado’s first-ever requirement for multilingual ballots in municipal elections. 

WATCH ALY EXPLAIN THE COLORADO VRA.

Amy Keith, Common Cause Florida 

Amy started at Common Cause Florida in 2022 as Program Director. As Program Director for Common Cause Florida, Amy co-led a nonpartisan coalition of over 40 organizations that successfully protected access to the ballot across the state during the 2022 midterm elections. Additionally, she took the stand in federal court as part of the lawsuit challenging Gov. DeSantis’ gerrymandered congressional map.    

Amy was promoted to Executive Director of Common Cause Florida in 2023, utilizing her two decades of coalition building experience to lead our democracy reform agenda in the state.

WATCH AMY EXPLAIN THE FLORIDA VRA.  

The Harry T. & Harriette V. Moore Florida Voting Rights Act (HB 1409 and SB 1582) is a landmark bill that builds on key protections of the federal Voting Rights Act while repealing harmful, state-level anti-voter laws. It is intended to expand access to the ballot for all Floridians, while providing critical protections against discriminatory voting practices and policies.   

Joanne Antoine, Common Cause Maryland  

Joanne joined Common Cause Maryland n 2017, originally serving as the State Outreach and Engagement Manager. In this role, she led and supported successful organizing campaigns to pass public financing of elections in numerous Maryland localities, a statewide ballot initiative on same day voter registration, grassroots activities and events in support of redistricting reform, and several state legislative campaigns.  

In 2019, she was named Executive Director of Common Cause Maryland and has since championed efforts to expand access to legislative proceedings during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and legislation to ensure all election officials feel safe at work during election cycles.  

WATCH JOANNE EXPLAIN THE MARYLAND VRA.

Passing a state Voting Rights Act has been one of Common Cause Maryland’s top legislative priorities since 2024. Maryland is the most diverse state on the East Coast, but substantial racial disparities continue to persist in both voter participation and local representation.  

The Maryland Voting Rights Act — a package of four bills — would restore protections against voter discrimination by ensuring local governments have the resources to make elections more accessible, expanding language assistance requirements, prohibiting vote dilution, and stopping voter intimidation.  

How You Can Support These Efforts 

We’re so grateful to Aly, Amy, and Joanne for leading the charge to enact state Voting Rights Acts across the country, but they can’t do this work alone. If you live in Colorado, Florida, or Maryland, tell your state lawmakers to vote YES on your state’s Voting Rights Act.