Sherrilyn has been an inspiring leader fighting for the cause of voting rights at a time when states have increasingly passed laws making it harder for people, especially people of color, to register and to vote and as conservative courts have become increasingly hostile to the vision of the Voting Rights Act that Congress had in mind. She’s been at the forefront of some of the most important battles to help protect American democracy. We are lucky for her service and I can’t wait to see what she does next.

If anyone can fill her huge shoes, it’s Janai Nelson. I’ve known Janai since she was a law professor and we’ve worked together on a number of projects, including the Fair Elections During a Crisis report issued in the midst of the 2020 elections where she played a crucial role in forging the final set of recommendations. She’s also an advisory board member for the UCI Law Fair Elections and Free Speech Center. She’s brilliant, strategic, and relentless in the fight for justice.

Kudos to the LDF for this successful leadership transition.