This week, Texas enacted a bill (opens in new tab) that bans nearly all abortions and allows private citizens to become vigilantes by suing health care providers, clinics, and even people who help others seek abortions, such as friends and family who may have driven someone to an appointment made it possible.

Texas government is majority Republican, with only 27% of seats (open in new tab) held by women legislators. This week, 666 new laws went into effect in Texas. Among them are this cruel ban on abortion and an attack on voting rights aimed at making it harder to register to vote and vote by mail. [Attacks on reproductive freedom and democracy are not limited to Texas. Earlier this year, for example, Pennsylvania saw a Republican majority attempt to restrict reproductive health care by forcing families to have a ceremonial burial or cremation at any stage of pregnancy loss, including when a fertilized egg fails to implant.

The good news is that there is still plenty of reason to hold out hope: EMILY's List (open in new tab) is a political action committee that works to elect and support pro-abortion women candidates. [In Nevada, for example, where women are in the majority in the state legislature and Democrats control the state Assembly, state Senate, and governor, the government has expanded access to health care and family planning, strengthened abortion rights, and increased penalties for domestic violence. In Virginia, where Democrats have also taken control of all three branches of government, and have achieved the historic feat of having the most female legislators in state legislative history this session, politicians have made health care more affordable and accessible, increased teacher pay, codified LGBTQ+ rights, ratified the Equal Rights Amendment, and increased reproductive rights and expanded access to contraception.

Fifteen states now have Democratic trifectas, and EMILY's List is working to protect Virginia's trifecta this November. It is important that we work together to elect state legislators who will protect reproductive rights, ensure access to health care, value voting rights, and advocate for the issues that most affect our communities. We have seen what happens when we do not.

State governments must protect our rights and we must use the power of the ballot to ensure that those who attack our reproductive freedom are voted out of office. There are several things you can do to get involved:

First, vote in every election if you are eligible to vote. This is especially important in years when there are no presidential or midterm elections. Voter turnout is usually lowest during these times (open in new tab). Even though state government is the last bastion on issues we care about, state and local elections are often held during off-peak periods, making them the elections in which Americans are least likely to vote. Regardless of who controls the White House, state officials make decisions that affect us every day. We must remember that each vote makes an even bigger difference.

Second, just as your vote makes a bigger difference at the state level, so does your donation. Find a local candidate you are passionate about or consider running for office yourself. (Opens in new tab) Donate to that candidate's campaign or volunteer. At the state level, where budgets are smaller, your time and donations have the greatest impact.

Finally, speak up when you see injustice. Make your voice heard by calling your elected officials, emailing their offices, and signing petitions. As we watch abortion bans go into effect in states like Texas, please contact your local abortion provider, start conversations around abortion with your family and friends, and encourage those around you to join you.

Let us all get more directly involved with the millions of people who have been stripped of their reproductive rights this week and spark a vote to ensure that state governments truly represent the people they serve.

Emily Cain is the Executive Director of EMILY's List and a former minority leader in Maine.