National Non-Partisan Election Protection Hotline (866-OUR-VOTE/866-687-8683) Available For 2020 General Election

Washington, D.C., Nov. 1, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Election Protection, the nation's largest and longest-running nonpartisan voter protection coalition, has launched a new phase in its continued efforts to safeguard voting rights across the country. Election Protection, led by the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, has launched 30 call centers based primarily at law rms across the country, to provide assistance to voters from coast to coast on November 3rd. Voters can call or text the 866-OURVOTE (866- 687-8683) hotline for help or support. The Election Protection program has expanded significantly in 2020 in response to challenges that voters face amid the pandemic and mounting voter suppression. Election Protection, is now supported by a network of over 42,000 trained legal volunteers (up from over 4,000 in 2018).

"In 2020, we have provided support to hundreds of thousands of voters across the country through our Election Protection program. From helping voters identify ways to vote safely and securely, empowering voters with information on early voting, vote-by-mail and more, the Election Protection program has proven to be the go-to resource for voters and would-be voters this season," said Kristen Clarke, president and executive director of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. "For the general election, we are prepared to provide
comprehensive support for voters across the nation to ensure that every voice is heard in our democracy."

Election Protection connects with voters, using hotlines, poll monitors and voter education, as well as its expansive network of local, state and national partners to respond to any questions, complaints or concerns voters may have. This year, we are particularly concerned about:

• Voters who have requested but not yet received absentee ballots
• Voters who may encounter long lines on Election Day in the wake of poll worker shortages in some communities
• Attempts to harass or intimidate voters at the polls
• Illegitimate attempts to challenge voter's eligibility
• Cybersecurity and the impact of technology problems
• 11th hour attempts to sow chaos through disinformation campaigns
• Legal challenges attempting to discount absentee ballots
• Barriers faced by voters of color

Voters can seek answers to their questions or report problems to the Election Protection program using the following hotlines on Election Day:
National Election Protection Hotline: The Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law's 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683).

Additional Hotlines
Spanish/English hotline: NALEO's 888-VE-Y-VOTA (888-839-8682);
Asian-language/English hotline: Advancing Justice | AAJC and APIAVote's 888-API-VOTE (888-274-8683); and
Arabic/English language hotline: Arab American Institute's 844-YALLA-US (844- 925-5287).

The 2020 general election has been marked by an increase in public concern over late efforts to reject absentee ballots and the possibility of Supreme Court intervention in particular states. The Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law is prepared to mount emergency litigation on Election Day and beyond to safeguard voting rights.

About Election Protection: Election Protection is the nation's largest nonpartisan voter protection coalition of more than 200 partners, led by the national Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. For more information about Election Protection and the 866-OUR-VOTE hotline, please visit: http://www.866ourvote.org.

Media Note: Voting rights and Election Protection spokespersons are available for media interviews to offer Election Day observations. Please contact [email protected] for information on press briefings to or schedule interviews with voting rights experts.

CONTACT: [email protected]

Election Protection, the nation's largest and longest-running nonpartisan voter protection coalition, has launched a new phase in its continued efforts to safeguard voting rights across the country. Election Protection, led by the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, has launched 30 call centers based primarily at law firms across the country, to provide assistance to voters from coast to coast on its 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) hotline. The Election Protection has expanded significantly in 2020, in response to challenges that voters face amid the pandemic and mounting voter suppression. Election Protection, is now supported by a network of over 42,000 trained legal volunteers (up from over 4,000 in 2018).

"In 2020, we have provided support to hundreds of thousands of voters across the country through our Election Protection program. From helping voters identify ways to vote safely and securely, empowering voters with way to vote early or by absentee ballot and more, Election Protection program has proven to be a critical resource for voters and would-be voters this season," said Kristen Clarke, president and executive director of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. "For the general election, we are prepared to provide comprehensive support for voters across the nation to ensure that every voice is heard in 2020."

Election Protection connects with voters, using hotlines, poll monitors and voter education, as well as its expansive network of national partners and state advocates, to respond to any questions, complaints or concerns voters may have. Specifically, the program addresses:

Election Protection is particularly concerned about the following:

Voters who have requested but not yet received absentee ballots
Voters who may encounter long lines on Election Day in the wake of poll worker shortages in some communities
Attempts to harass or intimidate voters at the polls
Illegitimate attempts to challenge voter's eligibility
Cybersecurity and the impact of technology problems
11th hour attempts to sow chaos through disinformation campaigns
Legal challenges attempting to discount absentee ballots

How poll workers, volunteers, and voters can combat challenges to voting rights: Poll workers, volunteers, and fellow voters are best able to gauge situations unfolding at polling places on Election Day. Ultimately, poll workers form the first line of defense in ensuring voting rights for eligible voters, and Election Protection aims to equip them with the resources and information they need to do so.

Voters can seek answers to their questions or report problems through Election Protection at the following hotlines on Election Day:
Toll-free English-language hotline: The Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law's 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683);
Additional Hotlines
Spanish/English hotline: NALEO's 888-VE-Y-VOTA (888-839-8682);
Asian-language/English hotline: Advancing Justice | AAJC and APIAVote's 888-API-VOTE (888-274-8683);
Arabic/English language hotline: Arab American Institute's 844-YALLA-US (844- 925-5287);

The 2020 general election is also marked by an increase in public concern over late efforts to reject absentee ballots and the possibility of Supreme Court interventions. The Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law is prepared to mount emergency litigation on Election Day and beyond to safeguard voting rights.

About Election Protection: Election Protection is the nation's largest nonpartisan voter protection coalition of more than 200 partners, led by the national Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. For more information about Election Protection and the 866-OUR-VOTE hotline, please visit: http://www.866ourvote.org.

Media Note: Voting rights and Election Protection spokespersons are available for media interviews to offer Election Day observations. Please contact [email protected] for information on press briefings to or schedule interviews with voting rights experts.

CONTACT: [email protected]

SOURCE Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law