Movement Advancement Project

Forecasting Democracy: Expected Changes to Voting and Election Policies in 2026 As the midterm elections approach, 2026 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for voting rights and election policy.

The midterms will certainly be consequential for our democracy, but state legislatures and the federal government will continue to shape voting and election policy leading up to November.

⬇️ MAP's latest forecasts democracy trends and shifts in 2026.
democracymaps.medium.com/forecasting-...

Poll workers are vital to elections, but in many states and localities recruitment remains a challenge. A lack of poll workers could lead to fewer polling locations, long lines, and voter confusion.

On #HelpAmericaVoteDay, we celebrate the impact of poll workers in their communities across the U.S.

In honor of our 20th anniversary, we’re sharing a first look at our new logomark, created to honor this moment and the work we do to power movements.

The logo reflects the values that have guided MAP for two decades: trust, transparency, reliability, and consistency. Thank you for standing with us.

This Thursday (1/29 from 2-3pm ET), MAP will be participating in a webinar, "The Day Federal Data Went Dark: A Year of Monitoring and Action," co-hosted by dataindex.us and the Association of Public Data Users (APDU).

⬇️ Learn more below, including registration details and speaker information.

It's our 20th anniversary! 🎉

Since 2006, we have provided groundbreaking research and resources to strengthen movements for LGBTQ equality and a thriving democracy.

Thank you for being with us!

— Naomi Goldberg and Chris Maggiano, MAP's Executive Director and Board Chair

Movement Advancement Project | Early Voting Availability Almost all states offer some form of early voting, but the length of the early voting period varies by state.

You can view the current landscape of early voting laws by visiting our Democracy Map below.

⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️
www.mapresearch.org/democracy-ma...

Alabama lawmakers advocate for early voting to reduce long lines, make voting more accessible Alabama lawmakers are pushing for early in-person voting to address voter accessibility despite concerns about voter fraud.

Did you know? #Alabama is one of three states that do not offer early voting (or an excuse to vote early is required).

Read more about a bill introduced in #AL, which, if passed, would allow #earlyvoting to begin ten days before Election Day.
www.wvtm13.com/article/hous...

Today, MAP is honoring the legacy of MLK Jr. and taking time to pause and reflect on his inspiring, powerful words.

As we move forward in 2026, our team remains laser focused on what’s ahead and how we can build on our work of equipping advocates with the tools they need to power movements.

Movement Advancement Project | LGBTQ Policy Spotlight: Laws Protecting LGBTQ Youth from Conversion This report by Movement Advancement Project and The Trevor Project details the shifting landscape of efforts to protect LGBTQ young people against conversion

To learn more about conversion "therapy" laws, visit MAP's resources below:

🔗 Equality Map: www.mapresearch.org/equality-map...
🔗 Spotlight report: www.mapresearch.org/2025-convers...

What is International Day to End Conversion Therapy? Your Support Saves LGBTQ+Youth's Lives Every DayDonate Each year on January 7th, people across the globe observe International Day to […]

Today, January 7, we observe International Day to End Conversion Therapy (IDECT) — a day that issues a worldwide call to end the dangerous, discredited practice.

Keep reading about this important day via The Trevor Project's blog here: www.thetrevorproject.org/blog/idect/

This year, thanks to your support, MAP remained a trusted resource in the fight for progress. As 2025 comes to a close, we're reflecting on a year of impact, deep collaborations and partnerships, and success.

🎁 Click here to make a 2025 gift that supports MAP's work moving forward: bit.ly/3UTAHCW

Equality Maps Round-Up: Tracking Wins and Trends in 2025 MAP’s latest shows how despite attacks against us in 2025, the tides are turning as we head towards the new year.

2025 was not easy. From rising disinformation to attacks on basic freedoms, our vision of what this country can be and should be has been challenged at every corner.

But we continue to show up. In MAP's latest, we detail major wins across four key policy areas.
lgbtmap.medium.com/equality-map...

Democracy Maps Round-Up: Tracking Wins and Trends in 2025 MAP is looking ahead to 2026 and offering an overview of the major trends from election and voting related legislation in 2025.

As 2025 draws to a close, MAP is summarizing major trends, wins, and changes we've seen in legislation that impacts our democracy.

Click below to read our year-end brief, which details updates to our Democracy Maps, projections for the new year, and more.
democracymaps.medium.com/democracy-ma...

Changes coming to how researchers can identify cancer patients' gender Cancer registries that receive federal funding will soon be required to classify patients only as male, female, or unknown. The change is raising concerns among health researchers about cancer data co...

ICMYI: MAP's Senior Advisor for Health Policy, Kellan Baker, discusses the ramifications of 2026 patient sex classification requirements for federally-funded cancer registries.

"This really is about a government-wide agenda of trying to erase transgender people,” he says.

wamu.org/story/25/12/...

Today is the deadline to enroll in coverage beginning January 1, 2026!

🔗 Visit Healthcare.gov for more. #EnrollByDec15

MAP's Equality Map (linked above) is referenced in new coverage from USA TODAY.

Click below to keep reading about this policy area and hear more from Naomi Goldberg, MAP's Executive Director.

www.usatoday.com/story/money/...

Movement Advancement Project | Bans on Transgender People Using Bathrooms and Facilities According to their Gender Identity The policies shown in this map prohibit transgender people from using bathrooms and facilities—such as locker rooms, shower rooms, changing rooms, and other sex-segregated spaces—according to their ge...

Did you know? One in three transgender people live in states with some restrictions on bathroom access — and in 2025, nine states passed new laws or expanded existing laws.
www.mapresearch.org/equality-map...

The 2026 Transgender Health Insurance Guides to the Marketplace Are Here! Our Transgender Health Insurance Guides to the Marketplace for plan year 2026 are out now! Here's how to read your guide and how to find help enrolling.

Keep reading about the guides in a new blog from Out2Enroll below!

www.out2enroll.org/post/the-202...

Questions about health insurance and gender-affirming care? Out2Enroll has you covered with its Transgender Health Insurance Guides.

Find your state at out2enroll.org/trans-guides and enroll at HealthCare.gov before December 15.

This week marks the annual LGBTQ Enrollment Week of Action! Did you know — thanks to the ACA, trans people are protected from discrimination in health insurance and care.

🔗 🏳️‍⚧️ Access your state’s Transgender Health Insurance Guide via Out2Enroll's site here: www.out2enroll.org/trans-guides

Movement Advancement Project | Snapshot: LGBTQ Equality by State The Movement Advancement Project (MAP) tracks over 50 different LGBTQ-related laws and policies. This map shows the overall policy tallies for each state, the District of Columbia, and the five popula...

Our Equality Maps track over 50 different LGBTQ-related laws and policies across the United States.

Click below to learn more about your state's policy score and compare it to other states across the country.
www.mapresearch.org/equality-maps

LGBTQ+ Honeymoon Safety Index To help couples make informed travel choices, we created the Love Inc. LGBTQ+ Honeymoon Safety Index: a state-by-state scoring system that evaluates both legal protections and real-world experiences f...

Another piece from Love Inc. used our LGBTQ policy scores as well, ranking states based on safety for LGBTQ+ honeymoons.

⬇️ 🌈 Read more below.
loveincmag.com/lgbtq-honeym...

California named one of the friendliest states in the nation. Here’s why North American tour operator Journeyscape went searching for the most welcoming spots in the United States.

Did you know? Our Equality Maps data is a go-to resource for media, policymakers, and more. Recently in @sacbee.com, our state policy scores are used in a friendliness index of U.S. states.

View our Equality Profile for CA here: www.mapresearch.org/equality_map...
www.sacbee.com/news/califor...

In 2025, MAP partnered with more than 20 organizations on research designed to help speed equality and opportunity for all.

As we look ahead to 2026, we’re filled with gratitude and anticipation. We’re preparing for a new chapter of impact, innovation, and celebration with you by our side.

Stand with us this Giving Tuesday. Your generosity helps us meet this critical moment and build the future we all deserve.

🎁 Make your gift to support MAP's work: mapresearch.harnessgiving.org/donate/?sele...

In a year that has tested us, MAP is reflecting on the strength of our movements, its deep collaborations, and the broader vision of what this country can be when we all work together.

Will you stand with MAP on #GivingTuesday next week?

🎁 Make a gift: mapresearch.harnessgiving.org/donate/?sele...

HHS finalizes report on gender-affirming care for youth, medical groups push back Some major medical groups have pushed back against the findings of the HHS' gender-affirming care report, saying it lacks transparency and is not backed by science.

"There is nothing new or unusual about care for transgender young people," Kellan said, "except for the extraordinary degree of political antagonism that is being focused on this very, very small group of young people."

Click below for more from Kellan in ABC News.
abcnews.go.com/Health/hhs-f...

In case you missed it: in response to last week’s release of the controversial HHS report on pediatric gender-affirming care, MAP’s Senior Advisor for Health Policy, Kellan Baker — along with other experts in the gender-affirming care space — questioned both the validity and quality of the findings.

MAP recognizes that today's observance can feel especially heavy. To uplift community care, we are highlighting the incredible resources provided by @translifeline.org (1–877–565–8860), a trans-led hotline that connects transgender people in crisis to resources for emotional and financial support.

Today, MAP honors Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR). Established nationally in 1999, TDoR remembers the lives of transgender and nonbinary people that have been lost to unconscionable violence. 🏳️‍⚧️