Voting and Civil Rights

Alex believes that our democracy is strongest when every eligible American participates. That’s why he’s spent his career fighting to expand and preserve voting rights. While serving as California’s Secretary of State, Alex implemented automatic and same-day voter registration, expanded vote-by-mail, and launched early vote centers. These key reforms led to record voter registration and participation in California and have become a model for the rest of the nation.  In the U.S. Senate, Alex is a champion for stronger voting rights, bipartisan election administration reforms, and increased funding to modernize and secure our elections.

And because Alex believes in an America made stronger by its diversity, he’s consistently fought to protect the civil rights of all Americans. In the face of an alarming rise in hate crimes over the last few years, Alex cosponsored legislation, later signed into law by President Biden, to address the rise in hate crimes and violence against Asian American and Pacific Islander communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Because Americans of every race, faith, and belief deserve to be treated with dignity.

Recent News

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On the eve of Women’s History Month, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) underscored the need to pass the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) to ensure the constitution recognizes women as equal under law. At a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing...
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), member of the Senate Rules Committee, released the following statement after the Senate passed the Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act of 2022 as part of the Omnibus Appropriations Bill for Fiscal...
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today. U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) spoke before the Senate Rules Committee as it considered the Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act. During his remarks, Padilla spoke about the importance of upholding the Oath of Office elected officials...
WASHINGTON, D.C. — On the eve of Women’s History Month, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) underscored the need to pass the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) to ensure the constitution recognizes women as equal under law. At a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing...
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), member of the Senate Rules Committee, released the following statement after the Senate passed the Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act of 2022 as part of the Omnibus Appropriations Bill for Fiscal...
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today. U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) spoke before the Senate Rules Committee as it considered the Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act. During his remarks, Padilla spoke about the importance of upholding the Oath of Office elected officials...
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In case you missed it, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) joined MSNBC’s Jonathan Capehart this weekend to discuss the importance of advancing the legislation and preventing future insurrections. The Senate Rules Committee, which Padilla is a member of,...
Bill is endorsed by coalition of state Secretaries of State, as well as current and former election officials from both parties WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), member of the Senate Rules and Judiciary Committees, along with Amy Klobuchar...
Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act reforms and modernizes outdated bill exploited on January 6 WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) announced he is co-sponsoring the Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act introduced by U.S. Senators...
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and California’s former Secretary of State, today questioned witnesses at a hearing entitled “Protecting Our Democracy’s Frontline Workers.” During the hearing, Padilla questioned Secretaries of State...
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), a member of the Senate Rules and Judiciary Committees, released a statement following the Senate introduction of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. “John Lewis understood the fragility of our democracy and...
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Since taking his oath of office, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif) has been a strong proponent of the democracy reforms included in S. 1, theFor the People Act. As former California Secretary of State who oversaw the implementation...
WASHINGTON, D.C. –Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) spoke alongside the Declaration for American Democracy coalition, members of Congress and activists on thecritical need to pass S.1, the For the People Act. As former Secretary of State for California, Padilla has seen first-hand the positive impact of implementing voting reforms like the ones contained in the For the People Act. The rally comes as Republican legislators across the country continue to push...