Ensuring Every Voice Is Heard: Protecting Voting Rights Through Advocacy and Education

By: Erin Slaughter

On March 19, Houston Community Media, formerly known as Houston Ethnic Media, hosted a roundtable with nonprofits and media outlets to discuss legislative proposals that could restrict voting rights in Texas and educate communities on how to safeguard their right to vote.

The discussion featured a diverse group of experts, including Emily French, director of policy at Common Cause Texas; Carl Belair, senior election protection attorney at the Texas Civil Rights Project; Jesus Zamora, Texas field director at Mi Familia en Acción; and Katie Campbell Shumway, executive director at the League of Women Voters.

The event aimed to inform the public about the potential impacts of these proposals, provide resources, and encourage civic engagement across Texas.

“As a lawyer, I understand that many aspects of election law and legislation can be confusing,” Belair said.

Carl Belair, director of policy at Common Cause Texas

“When creating educational materials, we make every effort to use plain and understandable language. Instead of using 100 words, we try to reduce it to one or two sentences.”

Belair emphasized that simplifying complex legislative changes is key to ensuring public understanding.

One of the proposed bills discussed was Senate Bill 16, which would require all voters to provide proof of citizenship when voting, create criminal penalties for election officials who knowingly register non-citizens, and potentially place certain voters on a separate roll with limited voting rights.

Those unable to provide such proof would be placed on a separate ballot, making them eligible to vote only in U.S. House and Senate races—excluding presidential elections.

This bill could create significant barriers for many of Texas’s 18 million registered voters, particularly naturalized citizens who may not have immediate access to documentation.

“There’s no denying it would be a tough fight,” Shumway said.

Katie Campbell Shumway, executive director at the League of Women Voters.

“But there are countries where voting is illegal—where individuals and communities cannot use their voices to advocate for themselves. America, however, is one of the places where we still have that right. No matter how difficult it gets, we must continue to fight for our right to vote.”

In addition to Senate Bill 16, other proposals, such as the SAVE Act, were discussed as potential obstacles to voter participation.

The SAVE Act could disproportionately impact individuals who have changed their names, such as married women and transgender individuals, by requiring documentary proof of U.S. citizenship that matches their current legal name.

Voting rights advocates argue that these legislative proposals could restrict access to the ballot box and disproportionately affect marginalized communities.

As the roundtable continued, Zamora shared insight into how these proposals fit into broader efforts to suppress voting rights.

While voter rights advocates say the new legislative proposals aim to create barriers for vulnerable communities, Zamora said his organization is combating this by providing resources that extend beyond voting rights protection.

“Beyond protecting voting rights, we help eligible individuals obtain citizenship so they can vote,” he said.

Jesus Zamora, Texas field director at Mi Familia en Acción

“We partner with the Mexican Consulate to provide resources that help people become citizens and start to use their voice within their communities.”

Zamora’s organization takes a comprehensive approach to voting rights and citizenship, reflecting a broader mission to help individuals navigate complex systems that affect their ability to participate in democracy.

In addition to addressing legislative challenges, the roundtable emphasized the importance of engaging youth in the electoral process to strengthen voter participation in marginalized communities.

“One thing we dedicate a lot of time to is youth empowerment,” Zamora said.

Jesus Zamora, Texas field director at Mi Familia en Acción

“We work in schools, educating students on their rights and even encouraging them to run for office in the future. We go into communities to share voter-friendly resources.”

This roundtable talk reinforced the ongoing importance of voter education and advocacy. As legislative challenges continue to evolve, communities must stay informed, engaged, and ready to fight for their right to vote.

Texans have powerful voices, and every citizen deserves the knowledge and resources to make their voice heard.