The Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate is dedicated to educating the public about the important role of the Senate in our government, encouraging participatory democracy, invigorating civil discourse, and inspiring the next generation of citizens and leaders to engage in the civic life of their communities.

        The foundation of our democracy is the right to vote. Believe it or not, that right was limited at first: only with effort, protest, and sacrifice were successive generations of Americans able to ultimately secure for every citizen the right to help choose their country’s course.

        On the cusp of one of the most consequential elections in our lifetimes – in a year that marks the 100th anniversary of women winning the right to vote, the 55th anniversary of dismantling systemic racial barriers to the ballot box with the Voting Rights Act, and the 50th anniversary of Senator Kennedy modifying the Voting Rights Act to expand voting rights to every American on their 18th birthday – the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate is proud to make voting come alive with Just Vote.

        While every American over eighteen has the right to vote, rising voter suppression makes it harder for a growing number of Americans to exercise that right. With this new series of stories, Just Vote brings the historical stakes in the battle for voting rights firmly into the present – and teaches every American how to exercise their franchise.