|
Lawyers'
Committee for Civil
Rights Under Law
1401 New York Avenue, NW
Suite 400
Washington, DC 20005
For
Immediate ReleaseL February 12, 2009
Contacts:
Kim Alton
(202) 662-8600
kalton@lawyerscommittee.org
Eric Marshall
(202) 380-5523
emarshall@lawyerscommittee.org
High Voter Turnout Causes Voters to Seek Assistance
Election Protection Hotline Provides
Assistance to Hundreds of DC, Virginia, and Maryland Voters
(Washington, DC) February 12, 2008 - This morning, the Election Protection Coalition received hundreds of calls into the 1-866-OUR-VOTE toll free voter services hotline from voters in DC, Maryland, and Virginia who ran into problems when trying to vote in today’s presidential primary.
With high voter turnout throughout the region, many election officials are overwhelmed and under-prepared for the large crowds. Voter incidents reported to the hotline include:
- Voting machine failures in several polling places leading to long lines at the polls.
- Poll workers failing to provide voters with emergency replacement ballots when faced with machine malfunctions.
- Malfunctions with electronic poll books in Maryland.
- Poll workers mistakenly requiring voters to show photo ID before casting a ballot.
- Poll workers unfamiliar with procedures for first time voters.
- Confusion about voter registration requirements.
- Incorrect precinct information in Fairfax County voter guides.
- Failure to provide proper notice of precinct changes in Prince George's County.
Over a hundred trained Election Protection volunteers are answering the hotline and on the ground in targeted precincts are helping voters get through these problems and cast a ballot. Unfortunately, many voters are not waiting around for these problems to be fixed or are otherwise being turned away at the polls. The Election Protection number (1-866-OUR-VOTE) will be available all day for voters to call in with any questions or issues that may arise at the polling areas.
The toll-free number is available to any voters who need information, assistance or need guidance in understanding their rights. It is open to the entire voting public, but targets traditionally disenfranchised communities, including Hispanic, African American, Asian American, students, seniors and low-income communities.
In 2000, millions of Americans, primarily those in minority communities, were denied their right to vote. The Election Protection Coalition was formed in response to these issues. Election Protection guides voters through the voting process, helping to ensure that all eligible voters have the opportunity to cast a meaningful ballot and have their vote counted.
During the 2004 election cycle, Election Protection mobilized 25,000 trained volunteers, including 8,000 legal volunteers, to monitor polling places, educate voters, facilitate a dialogue with local and state election officials, provide legal support to poll monitors, and answer the 1-866-OUR-VOTE hotline. The hotline received over 200,000 calls from voters in all 50 states.
Although the program was smaller in 2006, it was more efficient. By incorporating new strategies and new partners, EP evolved into a year-round, one stop shop for voter support, information, and assistance. The hotline received more than 26,000 calls in October and November from voters in 48 states and the District of Columbia, including 17,964 on Election Day.
For more information about Election Protection and the Our Vote hotline, please visit: www.866ourvote.org.
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