About DLF
The Legislative Arm of the Movement to End Disenfranchisement
The Disenfranchisement Legislative Fund is a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization dedicated to advancing federal and state legislation that restores and protects the voting rights of all eligible Americans.
Our Mission
To eliminate laws and practices that deny or suppress the right to vote through targeted legislative advocacy, evidence-based policy development, and coalition-driven campaigns at the federal and state level.
Evidence First
Every legislative priority DLF advances is grounded in peer-reviewed research produced by NCRRRI. We do not advocate for policies we cannot defend with data.
Nonpartisan Rigor
Voting rights are not a partisan issue. DLF works with legislators and coalitions across the political spectrum and evaluates legislation on its merits, not its sponsorship.
Transparency
As a 501(c)(4) organization, DLF is required to operate for the promotion of social welfare. We publish our legislative positions, funding sources, and governance documents publicly.
Accountability
We measure our success by legislative outcomes — bills passed, policies changed, and voters restored to the rolls — not by the volume of our advocacy activity.
Our History
Founded on Research. Built for Advocacy.
The Disenfranchisement Legislative Fund was established in 2018 as the legislative advocacy arm of the National Civil Rights Research and Records Institute (NCRRRI). NCRRRI had spent more than a decade producing rigorous, independent research on voting rights and disenfranchisement — research that was widely cited in academic literature and journalism but rarely translated into legislative action.
DLF was created to close that gap. As a separate 501(c)(4) organization, DLF can engage in direct legislative advocacy, lobbying, and political education in ways that NCRRRI, as a research institution, cannot. The two organizations share leadership, research infrastructure, and a common mission, but maintain separate governance and finances in accordance with IRS requirements.
Since its founding, DLF has tracked more than 200 pieces of voting rights legislation, submitted formal testimony in 14 states and before three congressional committees, and contributed to the passage of voting rights restoration legislation in four states.
DLF incorporated as a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization under NCRRRI's umbrella
First formal congressional testimony submitted to the House Judiciary Committee on H.R. 1
Contributed to voting rights restoration legislation in Colorado and Virginia
Launched the State Legislative Monitoring Program, tracking 50-state voting rights legislation in real time
Submitted amicus briefs in three federal circuit court cases on voter roll maintenance practices
Launched the 2026 Legislative Tracker and published the annual Scope of Felony Disenfranchisement report
Our Parent Organization
The Relationship Between DLF and NCRRRI
The National Civil Rights Research and Records Institute (NCRRRI) is an independent, nonpartisan research institution founded in 2007. NCRRRI produces peer-reviewed research on voting rights, civil rights enforcement, and election administration, and maintains one of the most comprehensive archives of voting rights records in the United States.
DLF operates as NCRRRI's 501(c)(4) legislative advocacy arm. This structure allows NCRRRI to maintain its independence and credibility as a research institution while enabling DLF to translate that research into direct legislative action. The two organizations share a board of directors and senior leadership, but maintain separate budgets, staff, and governance structures in compliance with IRS regulations governing the relationship between 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations.
"NCRRRI conducts research. DLF advances legislation. Together, we move from evidence to action."
Legal & Tax Status
501(c)(4) Social Welfare Organization
EIN: 83-XXXXXXX
Incorporated in the District of Columbia
The Disenfranchisement Legislative Fund is organized and operated as a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization under the Internal Revenue Code. As a 501(c)(4), DLF may engage in legislative advocacy, lobbying, and political education activities that are not permitted for 501(c)(3) organizations, provided that these activities serve the organization's social welfare mission.
Contributions to DLF are not tax-deductible as charitable contributions. Donors who wish to make tax-deductible contributions to support NCRRRI's research mission may do so through NCRRRI's 501(c)(3) entity. DLF's annual Form 990 is publicly available upon request.
Leadership
Governance & Staff
Dr. Constance Hargrove
Executive Director, DLF & NCRRRI
Dr. Hargrove has led NCRRRI since 2012 and serves as Executive Director of both NCRRRI and DLF. A former voting rights attorney and professor of constitutional law, she has testified before Congress on voting rights issues on seven occasions.
Marcus Delacroix
Director of Legislative Affairs
Marcus leads DLF's federal and state legislative advocacy programs. He previously served as senior counsel to the Senate Judiciary Committee and as a staff attorney at the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law.
Dr. Amara Osei
Director of Research, NCRRRI
Dr. Osei oversees NCRRRI's research division and serves as DLF's chief research advisor. Her work on the relationship between voting rights restoration and recidivism has been cited in federal court opinions and congressional testimony.
Priya Nair
Director of Policy & Communications
Priya leads DLF's policy development and public communications functions. She previously served as a policy director at the Brennan Center for Justice and as a communications strategist for several state-level voting rights campaigns.
Work With Us
DLF welcomes partnerships with advocacy organizations, academic institutions, legal clinics, and civic groups working on voting rights. We also accept requests for expert testimony, research collaboration, and coalition participation.