Barriers to Voting in the Midterms: Impact on Ethnic Voters

Live Friday, September 25, 2026 | 11am PST

Overview

This fall, millions of Americans will head to the polls amid a changing electoral landscape that creates new barriers to voting in many areas of the country. Historically marginalized communities are facing some of the greatest barriers as they aim to exercise their Democratic right to vote, amid times which roll back several decades of progress.

Minority voters face disenfranchisement, as redistricting dilutes the power of their vote. Many communities fear the prospect of ICE agents showing up at polling places. Language and access barriers, especially for rural voters, persist.

Voter participation increased greatly during the 2024 Presidential election, with almost ⅔ of Black voters casting a ballot and similar numbers among Asian and Latino Americans. But can increased participation be sustained in 2026, amid these barriers?

Speakers will discuss the practical challenges facing voters, the legal and political landscape surrounding voting access, and the efforts underway to protect participation in the November elections.

Related Coverage

• As Midterms Near, Rights Groups Help Voters Navigate Voting Barriers
• YOUTUBE HIGHLIGHTS

Guest Speakers

• John C. Yang, President and Executive Director, Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC
• Jacqueline De León, Senior Staff Attorney, Native American Rights Fund
• Monica Spencer, Georgia State Director, VoteRiders
• Jesus Zamora, Field Director, Mi Familia Vota

Presented by ACoM