Democratic candidates for secretary of state. Top row (from left): Jena Griswold (CO), Deidre DeJear (IA), Jocelyn Benson (MI). Bottom row: Nelson Araujo (NV), Kathleen Clyde (OH), Katie Hobbs (AZ).

Secretary of state elections aren’t at the top of the ballot, but they should be top of mind this fall. Republicans are doing everything they can to undermine democracy and lock in their ill-gotten majorities by depriving people of color and Democratic-leaning constituencies of their right to vote. When they aren’t busy gerrymandering, they’re purging voter rolls, reducing polling place hours, and pushing voter ID laws.

And the GOP assault on voting rights isn’t just taking place at the state level. Under Donald Trump and Attorney General Jeff Sessions, multiple, ongoing attempts to restrict ballot box access and erode basic election fairness are coming from the very top levels of U.S. government.

Democrats, however, are fighting to make voting easier, and secretaries of state, as the top election officials in each state, play a huge role in that battle. All too often, however, these races don’t get the attention they deserve.

Currently, 28 Republicans occupy secretary of state offices, while Democrats hold just 17. But that means the GOP is defending far more seats than we are this cycle, so we’re on offense. And that gives us a chance to shift those numbers in progressives’ direction and better protect—and expand—the voting rights of millions of Americans.

To help in this fight, Daily Kos is pleased to endorse secretary of state candidates in six states:

Give $1 to each of these candidates to fight for fairer elections and end GOP voter suppression!