⚡ Action Alerts

The RI Voting Rights Act Did Not Pass — Keep Up the Pressure

The General Assembly ended its 2026 session without passing the Rhode Island Voting Rights Act (H 8334 / S 3143). Both chambers' committees voted to "hold the bills for further study" — the Senate Judiciary Committee on April 7 and the House State Government & Elections Committee on April 16 — so the RIVRA never received a floor vote.

The RIVRA would codify into state law the protections of the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965, which the U.S. Supreme Court has continually weakened. Codifying these protections in Rhode Island law shields voters here from any federal rollback of voting rights. The bill would protect Rhode Islanders from vote dilution, voter suppression, and voter intimidation, and from discrimination based on race or color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, age, country of ancestral origin, or change in marital status.

Sponsors: Representative Katherine Kazarian (H 8334) and Senate President Valarie J. Lawson (S 3143).

The League of Women Voters of Rhode Island testified in strong support of the RIVRA, calling it "a common-sense, pro-voter bill that solidifies and builds upon the protections in the federal Voting Rights Act," and made the case in a letter to the editor in the Providence Journal. The League stands with a broad coalition of partners, including the ACLU of Rhode Island, Common Cause Rhode Island, and The Womxn Project, whose RIVRA campaign page tracks the bill's history and the full coalition.

Take Action!

The fight is not over. Write and call your state Senator and Representative: tell them you are disappointed the RIVRA was held in committee, and that you expect them to pass the Rhode Island Voting Rights Act when the General Assembly reconvenes. With the U.S. Supreme Court weakening the federal Voting Rights Act, states must lead — and Rhode Island should be among them.

Newport Hospital Birthing Center: Keep It Open — and Funded

Good news: On April 11, 2026, Brown University Health announced the Noreen Stonor Drexel Birthing Center at Newport Hospital will remain open. The fight isn't over. Keeping the center open requires $4.9 million in new annual state and philanthropic funding. Without it, closure remains on the table. The League of Women Voters of Newport County continues to advocate for sustained funding and legal protections, with attention to avoiding racial, economic, or geographic disparities in maternal care.

Key Actions to Take:

• Contact Leadership: Thank Brown University Health for the commitment to keep the birthing center open, and urge sustained investment in its long-term future.
  • John Fernandez (Brown University Health President & CEO)
  • Sarah Frost (Chief of Hospital Operations, Brown University Health / President, Rhode Island Hospital)
  • Mailing Address: Brown University Health, Office of the President, 593 Eddy Street, Providence, RI 02903
• Support Legislation: Advocate for Rep. Lauren Carson's maternal-health package introduced in January 2026 — including H 8203, which would require a rigorous RI Department of Health review before any birthing-center closure, relocation, or capacity cut of 25% or more, and H 7626, the Rhode Island Maternal Health Improvement and Equity Act of 2026.
• Contact Your State Legislators: Urge them to fund the Noreen Stonor Drexel Birthing Center in the FY2027 state budget.

Coalition

No Bridges to Birth!

The Coalition for Newport Hospital Birthing Center continues to rally under the banner "No Bridges to Birth!" — highlighting the unacceptable reality that island and East Bay families would face if forced to cross bridges in labor to reach a hospital. Join the coalition and stand with Newport County families to keep the Noreen Stonor Drexel Birthing Center open, funded, and accessible.

Tell the U.S. Senate to Reject the SAVE Act

Status update: On February 11, 2026, the U.S. House passed the SAVE America Act, 218–213, as an amendment to S. 1383. The fight has now moved to the U.S. Senate, where 60 votes are needed to pass under current rules.

The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act and its iterations — including the SAVE America Act (H.R. 7296) and the Make Elections Great Again (MEGA) Act (H.R. 7300) — would require voters to present documentary proof of citizenship (DPOC) to register, and photo ID to vote, in federal elections.

Who Would Be Affected:

• Military voters, who would be required to present documentation every time they re-register to vote when their family moves.
• Disaster survivors who have been impacted by natural disasters and lost important documentation.
• Married women and other Americans who have changed their names.
• Younger voters and voters of color, who would suffer disproportionately.

Call Senators Reed and Whitehouse. Ask them to vote NO on the SAVE America Act when it reaches the Senate floor.

• Senator Jack Reed: (202) 224-4642 (DC) • (401) 528-5200 (Providence)
• Senator Sheldon Whitehouse: (202) 224-2921 (DC) • (401) 453-5294 (Providence)