Who must ensure that their election regulations comply with the Constitution?

State governments are responsible for ensuring that their election regulations comply with the Constitution. The Constitution establishes fundamental principles that govern electoral processes, including the voting rights of citizens and the conduct of elections. It is primarily the role of state governments to create and enforce laws related to election procedures, such as voter registration, polling locations, and ballot design, while remaining consistent with constitutional mandates.

State governments have the authority to implement regulations but must align these with federal constitutional standards, particularly regarding civil rights and anti-discrimination measures. For example, laws that disenfranchise voters based on race or other protected categories would be unconstitutional and thus invalid. Ensuring compliance helps protect the rights of citizens and maintain the integrity of the electoral process.

The other entities mentioned, such as the federal government, local jurisdictions, and civic organizations, play roles in governance and elections but do not have the same primary responsibility for regulating elections as state governments do. The federal government may set certain standards (like the Voting Rights Act) that must be followed, but the execution and administration of election laws are predominantly in the jurisdiction of the states. Local jurisdictions can implement city or county-level regulations, but they must still adhere to the overarching regulations set by state and federal laws. Civic organizations may advocate for