More than six decades after the Voting Rights Act (VRA) was signed into law on August 6, 1965, the fight for equitable access to the ballot box continues. This landmark legislation transformed American democracy: it prohibited discriminatory voting practices and expanded political participation for millions of voters, particularly Black Americans across the South. This past April, the Supreme Court’s ruling in Louisiana v. Callais gutted Section 2 protections that Black voters have relied on for decades, opening the door for redistricting maps that will erase their political voice.

That threat brought thousands to the National Mall in Washington, D.C. this past Friday, August 28, for the 63rd anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech. The “March on Washington 2026: Defend the Vote” drew union members, students, Black Greek-letter organizations, and marchers of all ages who traveled from across the country to warn that the rights Dr. King fought and died for are once again under threat. “Defending the vote means defending the foundation of our democracy,” said Martin Luther King III, who organized the march alongside more than 90 partner organizations.

As we reflect on the 61st anniversary of the VRA and the March on Washington, we’re reminded that protecting our democracy takes more than a moment of reflection, it takes ongoing vigilance and organizing, and generations of people willing to defend it. That belief is at the center of our work. At HIT Strategies, through our research and data-driven insights, we remain committed to helping organizations, advocates, and leaders build a democracy where every voice is heard and every vote is protected.

We teamed up with Unite for Reproductive & Gender Equity (URGE) on a robust national survey exploring how Gen Z voters are thinking about salient issues shaping their political future. The findings dig deep into where young voters stand on social and economic issues, how they perceive racial and sexual identity, what’s driving their engagement (or disengagement), and what that means for organizers and campaigns trying to reach them. Some key findings from the poll include:

• 83% of Gen Z voters are dissatisfied with the direction of the country

• 92% are concerned about the power of billionaires in politics
• 87% are concerned about affording their basic needs
• 83% are anxious about the job market and 81% believe AI is making it harder to get a job
• 88% have concern about lack of accountability for bad actors named in the Epstein files
• Three in four (77%) are personally concerned about themselves or a loved one being able to access abortion or other reproductive care
• More than three in four Gen Z voters are concerned about discrimination against transgender people (78%)

The survey included 2,950 registered voters ages 18-30 nationally, with three national oversamples of Black, AAPI and LGBTQ+ voters and three state-based oversamples in Alabama, Georgia, and Texas.

Since last week’s public release, our research findings have been cited across numerous media outlets, including The Hill and Newsweek. We are excited to share more of our findings, analysis, and news coverage in the coming weeks.

HIT Strategies’ research on Black men continues to gain national attention. The Root recently featured our narrative report in a new article examining the political attitudes and narratives shaping Black men’s political engagement. The piece “New Report Reveals Black Men Aren’t Going MAGA, They’re Going Independent,” highlights our research challenging the assumption that Black men are moving toward MAGA, instead pointing to a more nuanced story about identity, economic concerns, political frustration, and the narratives that can shape their choices.

The Black Opps Project continues to make waves. Recent coverage of the Black Opps Coalition spotlights key findings from phase two of the research and what they mean for engaging Black voters ahead of the November midterms.

Since launching in summer 2025, the Black Opps Coalition has conducted focus groups, polls, and AI content testing with Black voters to understand the barriers to political participation, what motivates engagement, and which actions can help build momentum toward the ballot box.

In a recent media appearance, Terrance Woodbury joined Symone Sanders and Eugene Daniels on Clock It to discuss the upcoming midterms and what the research reveals about mobilizing Black voters. The conversation explores why traditional and abstract appeals to “defend democracy” may not resonate and what messages can better motivate Black voters towards political action.

HIT in the Media: MS NOW

 What We Are Reading at HIT

Harmony Labs | Men’s Flourishing + Media

A new Harmony Labs report examines how men experience flourishing, identity, relationships, and well-being, with a focus on the role media plays in shaping those experiences. The findings highlight how men increasingly turn to online media for connection and information, while underscoring media’s potential to reinforce or challenge harmful ideas about masculinity.

PRRI | Flipping the Script: Most Religious Americans Support Legal Access to Abortion

A new PRRI analysis challenges the assumption that religious Americans broadly oppose abortion access. Drawing on its 2025 American Values Atlas, PRRI finds majority support for legal abortion among several major religious groups, suggesting that Christian nationalism, rather than religiosity itself, is more closely associated with abortion opposition.

NBC News | Asian American groups backing James Talarico for Senate say he needs to step up his game

Asian American groups in Texas are urging Senate candidate James Talarico to deepen his outreach to Asian American voters. The story highlights both the growing importance of the state’s Asian American electorate and the challenges campaigns face in reaching voters who remain unfamiliar with candidates.

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HIT Strategies is proud to work with advocacy groups, campaigns, brands, and organizations shaping the future. If your team is looking for reliable, culturally competent insights this year, we’d love to talk.