National Non-Partisan Election Protection Hotline (866-OUR-VOTE) Available Through Election Day

WASHINGTON, Nov. 6, 2018 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Election Protection, the nation's largest 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 18 call centers based primarily at law firms across the country, to provide assistance to voters from coast to coast on its 866-OUR-VOTE hotline. The hotline is manned by over 4,000 trained legal volunteers, and their efforts are complemented by the deployment of thousands of volunteer poll monitors stationed around the country.

"This year, our Election Protection program has already responded to tens of thousands of voters throughout the United States, helping them vote in the primaries, register to vote, participate in early voting, obtain an absentee ballot, clarify identification requirements, overcome barriers such as 'exact match', or report other election-related problems" said Kristen Clarke, president and executive director of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. "However, our past successes can't overshadow the unprecedented responsibilities we face in this final stretch before the November 6th election. Through Election Protection, we are providing unparalleled and comprehensive support for voters across the nation to ensure that every voice is heard this election cycle."

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 or concerns voters may have. Specifically, the program addresses:

How recent voting changes have the potential to impact the 2018 election: Although officials in numerous states have proposed measures that would increase the efficiency and inclusiveness of voting procedures, introducing measures such as automatic voter registration, others have turned back the clock on voting procedures. Election Protection is particularly concerned about the following:

• Voter ID laws in states like Missouri, North Dakota, Texas, and Wisconsin
• Voter registration barriers, including aggressive voter purges, in states like Ohio, Georgia, and New York
• Cybersecurity and the impact of technology problems on voters' access to the polls
• Improper challenges and voter intimidation at the polls
• Ongoing voter suppression efforts in Georgia

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. In the weeks leading up to November 6th, Election Protection trained thousands of volunteers nationwide to monitor Election Day activities and will provide on-going analysis about the impact of restrictive voting laws and provide voters up-to-date information about the voting process.

How minority voters can exercise their right to vote: The Election Protection program recognizes that it's essential that voters who have historically faced discrimination at the polls be able to fulfill their civic duty without fear of intimidation. Election Protection simplifies the voting process by offering nonpartisan voter helplines where trained volunteers are available to address voters' questions or problems with voter registration, early voting, voter ID requirements and other related voting issues to ensure that every vote counts.

Voters can seek answers to their questions or report problems through Election Protection at the following hotlines open on Election Day from 6 a.m. - 11 p.m. EST.

• Toll-free English-language hotline: The Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law's 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683);
• Toll-free Spanish/English hotline: NALEO's 888-VE-Y-VOTA (888-839-8682);
• Toll-free Asian-language/English hotline: Advancing Justice | AAJC and APIAVote's 888-API-VOTE (888-274-8683);
• Toll-free Arabic/English language hotline: Arab American Institute's 844-YALLA-US (844- 925-5287);
• Voters can also get assistance from Election Protection volunteers by texting "Our Vote" to 97779;
• Voters who are deaf or hearing impaired can contact 301-818-VOTE (301-818-8683) for assistance in American Sign Language, a service provided by the National Association for the Deaf.

These midterms are also marked by an increase in public concern over the cybersecurity of our elections, as fears of foreign interference and other technology vulnerabilities grow. During the 2018 primary season, Election Protection heard from many voters who could not vote or who experienced significant obstacles to voting, due to database problems, machine malfunctions, or lack of preparedness by poll workers responding to technology problems.

Despite these challenges, voters show determination to exercise their right to vote – the 2018 primaries saw a significant spike in voter turnout compared to recent midterms and a record-breaking 800,000 people registered to vote on National Voter Registration Day this September. At the same time, some states are making it easier for people to exercise their freedom to vote. Thirteen states and the District of Columbia passed Automatic Voter Registration laws that allow more voters to register and improve the accuracy of voter rolls – a policy that garners rare bipartisan support.

About Election Protection: Election Protection is the nation's largest nonpartisan voter protection coalition of more than 100 partners, led by the national Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. Through its suite of hotlines: 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) administered by the Lawyers' Committee; 888-VE-Y-VOTA (888-839-8682) administered by NALEO Educational Fund; 888-API-VOTE (888-273-8683) administered by APIAVote and Asian Americans Advancing Justice-AAJC; and 844-YALLA-US (844- 925-5287) administered by the Arab American Institute – a dedicated team of trained legal and grassroots volunteers help all American voters, including traditionally disenfranchised groups, gain access to the polls and overcome obstacles to voting. 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 Derrick Robinson at [email protected] or
(202) 909-6355 (Election Day only).

CONTACT:Derrick Robinson, Director of Communications, [email protected]
(202) 662-8317

SOURCE Election Protection Hotline

Related Links

http://www.866ourvote.org