Washington, D.C. — Vote Run Lead Action (VRLA) today announced that 22 state legislators across 16 states, including 21 women lawmakers, have committed to closing the “voluntary intoxication” loophole — a legal gap in 19 states that can make it nearly impossible to hold an attacker accountable when a survivor chose to drink or use drugs. Jane Doe’s case at Cornell has put a national spotlight on the gap in laws governing sexual assault and voluntary intoxication. What happened to her is now fueling coordinated action by lawmakers working to ensure that being too intoxicated to consent does not mean being left without legal protection. At its core, this is a question of bodily autonomy: Should a person’s decision to drink or use drugs strip away their legal protection if they are sexually assaulted? In 19 states, it can.
October 15, 2026
Women Legislators in 16 States Unite to Close ‘Voluntary Intoxication’ Loophole That Fails Sexual Assault Survivors
August 18, 2025
News from the States
The progressive who’s riding into the wind
New Mexico State Director and legislator Angelica Rubio was highlighted for her 300-mile bike ride to the Capitol, a powerful effort to bridge divides across the state. Along the way, she held conversations on equity, climate, immigrant rights, and representation—bringing the voices of working families directly into the halls of power.
August 7, 2025
Today in Parenting
Vote Run Lead Action Announces New Board Members, Advisors and Staff to Drive Next Phase of Growth
Vote Run Lead Action (VRLA) has appointed Amanda Stitt to its Board of Directors and welcomed Yordanos Eyoel and Shaunna Thomas to its Advisory Board. Additionally, Camille Khalessi has been named Chief People Officer, and Victoria Aulov joins as Operations Associate. These strategic appointments aim to bolster VRLA's mission of building women’s majorities in U.S. legislatures and strengthening support for elected women.
July 18, 2025
Ms. Magazine
‘A Long Train of Abuses’—And a Long Road Ahead: 177 Years After Seneca Falls
Ms. Magazine’s “Weekend Reading on Women’s Representation” marked the 177th anniversary of the Seneca Falls Convention and highlighted ongoing efforts for equality and electoral reform. Vote Run Lead was featured among leaders and organizations advancing women’s political representation.
July 3, 2025
Ms. Magazine
Independence Day, Ranked-Choice Wins and Jacinda Ardern: This Week in Women’s Representation
Ms. Magazine’s “Weekend Reading” reflects on the unfinished fight for equality and highlights how ranked-choice voting is sustaining women’s political power in New York City. RepresentWomen’s research and Vote Run Lead’s organizing are featured alongside historic primary wins for Black women in Albany and Syracuse.
July 3, 2025
The Sentinel
Attack on lawmakers forces re-examination of balance between accessibility, safety
Erin Vilardi, CEO and Founder of Vote Run Lead Action, spoke out in the wake of the tragic death of beloved State Representative Melissa Hortman, calling on elected officials to implement comprehensive safety plans and make the protection of public servants a top priority.
November 1, 2024
Forbes
In This Historic Moment, 12 Thought Leaders Make The Case For Women And Diversity In Politics And Leadership
Erin Vilardi, CEO and Founder of Vote Run Lead Action is quoted alongside Anita Hill, María Teresa Kumar, Jasmine Crockett, Gloria Steinem, Gretchen Whitmer, Nancy Pelosi, Carol Jenkins, Glynda Carr, Erin Vilardi, Reshma Saujani, Ted Bunch and Kimberly Peeler-Allen: “I think the country and the world really know the untapped political power of women, the untapped political potential of asking women to run for public office, to serve on advisory boards, to get appointments. We literally make government better."
November 1, 2024
PBS News
These older women thought they might never see a female president. Now they’ve got another chance
Erin Vilardi, CEO of Vote Run Lead Action, an organization that identifies and trains women for public office, pushed back against the idea that it would be wrong to vote for a female candidate because of her gender.
"That in and of itself is sexism, is that bias really built into our own thinking," Vilardi said. "We are a democracy. And it is the fair and just thing to see yourself represented in government no matter who you are without having to make this ridiculous case that women are better at government."
...
Vilardi ...thinks older women "know the assignment" and have mobilized for Harris.
"I am of the mind that this election breaks for Harris," she said, "and it is older women who put her over the top."
