Who We Are - Voter Protection Project

ABOUT US

What We Do

The Voter Protection Project (VPP) is one of the largest voting rights organizations in the country, working on the frontlines to protect every American’s right to vote. We believe democracy works best when everyone can participate, and defending it starts with electing leaders who support fair elections and equal access to the ballot.

Our team is made up of experienced campaign professionals and former candidates who understand how elections really work. We bring firsthand knowledge from running and supporting campaigns, so every strategy we use is grounded in real-world experience.

At the Voter Protection Project, we find strong candidates, carefully vet them and their teams, provide strategic and fundraising support, and work tirelessly to help these voting rights champions win office.

We refuse to sit back while Donald Trump, Mike Johnson, and other MAGA allies across the country push changes that make voting harder. Instead of offering solutions that bring people together, they are limiting access to the ballot — especially for young voters, communities of color, working families, seniors, and people who already face barriers at the ballot box.

VPP is committed to fighting back. For every attempt to weaken voting rights, we work to elect leaders who will protect them. With Trump back in the White House and Republican allies shaping laws and courts, the stakes for our democracy are higher than ever. The path forward is clear: building majorities of leaders who believe in free and fair elections. That’s why we support Democrats up and down the ballot who are ready to defend the right to vote — and VPP is on the frontlines of that effort.

Our mission is bold, but urgent. We advocate for strong action to expand voting access, stop efforts to make voting harder, and build the majorities needed to pass laws that protect our democracy. Our vision includes:

Advocating for strong action to expand voting rights through elections
Leading the fight against efforts to restrict voting at the state and federal level by defeating politicians who support those restrictions
Regaining Democratic majorities in the House and Senate so critical voting rights protections can finally become law

Our goal is a country where every state ensures:

Automatic voter registration and easy online registration
Same-day registration
Convenient early voting
The option to vote by mail without unnecessary barriers
Enough polling locations, trained staff, and voting equipment
Restoration of voting rights for people who have completed their sentences
Pre-paid postage for mail ballots
The removal of restrictive voter ID barriers

VPP’s Impact on Key Elections Since 2019

The Voter Protection Project (VPP) has raised over $21 million to support critical candidates, including direct contributions and strategic support to endorsed campaigns. Fueled by a powerful grassroots base with an average donation of $14, VPP has endorsed over 130 voting rights champions since their first cycle.

2024 Key Races – Senate

Newly Elected:

Angela Alsobrooks (MD)
Elissa Slotkin (MI)
Ruben Gallego (AZ)
Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE)

Defended Seats:

Tammy Baldwin (WI)
Jacky Rosen (NV)

2024 Key Races – House

Flipped Seats:

Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-08)
George Whitesides (CA-27)
Janelle Bynum (OR-05)
Josh Riley (NY-19)

Defended Seats:

Rep. Pat Ryan (NY-18)
Rep. Tom Suozzi (NY-03)

VPP has been investing in candidates and programs up and down the ballot. Below are some of the key races where we were able to make a difference in the last two cycles.

In 2022, VPP supported the election and re-election of a diverse slate of history-making representatives, including:

Maxwell Alejandro Frost (FL-10)
Seth Magaziner (RI-02)
Emilia Sykes (OH-13)
Greg Landsman (OH-01)
Marie Perez (WA-03)
Don Davis (NC-01)
Jared Moscowitz (FL-23)
Wiley Nickel (NC-13)
Hillary Scholten (MI-03)
Andrea Salinas (OR-06)
Yadira Caraveo (CO-08)
Rep. Elissa Slotkin (MI-08)
Rep. Theresa Leger Fernandez (NM-03)
Rep. Sharice Davids (KS-02)
Rep Dan Kildee (MI-08)

VPP partnered directly with campaigns and partners in 2022:

Raised over $800,000 in tandem digital fundraising to retain Democratic Senate control, supporting Sen. Raphael Warnock (GA), Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (NV), Rep. Tim Ryan (OH)
Partnered with CBCPAC and Bold PAC to expand diversity in the Democratic caucus.

In 2020, VPP drove impactful investments in key races, including:

Invested over $1.3 million in digital ads, direct mail, and TV for the Georgia Senate runoff, raising six figures each for Jon Ossoff and Sen. Raphael Warnock.
Supported Ritchie Torres (NY-15), the first Gay Afro-Latino member of Congress, and was the largest outside spender in this race.
Defended Rep. Peter DeFazio (OR-04) against a top NRCC recruit in a tough district that Trump lost by less than one-tenth of a point in 2016.
Elected Sen. Mark Kelly (AZ), helping the state achieve two Democratic senators for the first time in nearly 70 years.
Supported Teresa Leger Fernandez (NM-03), the first Latina to represent her district.
Raised $100,000 for Rep. Katie Porter (CA-45) in her first re-election.
Helped elect Kathy Manning (NC-06), a voting rights champion who flipped her district.

Don't take it from us - Hear directly from our

Voting Rights Champions

Congresswoman-elect | OR-05

Janelle Bynum

“I met with VPP early in the cycle to share my background, commitment to defending voting rights in Oregon, and plan to build a strong campaign to flip OR-05. They didn’t wait for national partners or media to target this race, they moved quickly and helped arm our campaign with the resources and strategic support to win. Their proven track record of identifying and supporting strong candidates gives me confidence that, with their help, we’ll regain the majority next cycle and advance critical federal voting rights legislation.”

Congresswoman-elect | MI-08

Kristin McDonald Rivet

“I am deeply grateful for the Voter Protection Project’s help and support throughout our campaign for Michigan’s 8th Congressional District. VPP recognized the importance of this toss-up district from the very beginning, and, at every step, they supported our efforts with crucial resources and partnership.”

Democratic Candidate for CA-41

Will Rollins

“The Voter Protection Project was with me from day 1. They didn’t wait for other national organizations to weigh in, they rolled up their sleeves and helped arm my campaign with the support we needed to run a strong race here in CA-41. I was grateful to earn their endorsement and look forward to seeing them identify & support strong candidates next cycle who will help Dems win back the majority in Congress.”

NV-Senate

Catherine Cortez Masto

“I was proud to have the endorsement and support of VPP for my reelection in 2022 and look forward to continuing to work with them to maintain Democratic control of the Senate and protect and expand voting rights for every American.”

NY-15

Ritchie Torres

“The Voter Protection Project played an instrumental part in our victory in New York’s 15th Congressional District. As the largest outside spender in the race they prevented a key ally of Donald Trump from being the next representative in New York 15. In addition to the $490,000 they spent on TV, digital ads and direct mail to boost my candidacy, VPP also used their robust digital infrastructure to grow our grassroots fundraising program. VPP understands that to make our elections accessible for all – it’s essential that we elect voting rights champions to office.”