The Supreme Court has ruled 6-3 that state laws restricting voter registration drives violate the First Amendment, expanding protections for civic organizations that help citizens register to vote.

The Case

Several states had passed laws imposing fines and criminal penalties on organizations conducting voter registration drives with strict documentation requirements. The Court found these laws had a chilling effect on protected speech.

Impact

The ruling invalidates restrictive registration laws in 7 states and is expected to increase voter registration by millions ahead of the 2026 midterms.