WASHINGTON – Today, Election Protection coalition leaders outlined trends and reports of issues voters are experiencing around the country as they cast their ballots at the polls on the last day of the midterm elections.
Calls to the 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) hotline– a nonpartisan resource that is part of a suite of hotlines that provides voters with support and guidance in English, Spanish, Arabic, as well as Bengali, Chinese, Hindi, Korean, Tagalog, Urdu, and Vietnamese– have steadily ticked up in recent days, with voters in places like Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Texas reporting issues with threats and intimidation.
Just last night, coalition convener Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law filed an emergency lawsuit and secured relief for Black voters in Beaumont, Texas. These voters were reportedly subjected to harassment by poll workers, including being monitored while completing their ballots and being required to loudly recite their addresses after already being checked in and verified to vote, all a gross invasion of privacy and voter intimidation.
“As votes begin to get counted, numerous efforts around the country have been intent on silencing people through misinformation, disinformation and outright intimidation. We saw it in 2020, and we are seeing it again in 2022,” said Damon Hewitt, President and Executive Director, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. “Amid these blatant attempts to stifle the voices of the American voter, the mission of the Election Protection coalition is as clear as it has ever been. The coalition is safeguarding our democracy and voters’ ability to cast their vote in this election.”
“We are encouraged by the energy and engagement we are seeing across the country, but deeply concerned with the numerous instances of voter intimidation and obstruction being reported,”said Marcia Johnson-Blanco, Co-Director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, Voting Rights Project. “As voters around the country casted their ballots today, the Election Protection Hotline coalition has worked around the clock to ensure that every eligible voter has been able to do so without intimidation or obstruction.”
“Arizona has become the target of conspiracy theories and voter intimidation, but we are stronger than the fear those people are trying to instill,” said Taylor Moss, Election Protection Director with the Election Protection Arizona coalition. “We will be joyful while casting our ballot, like we always have been. And Election Protection Arizona is out there today in our purple t-shirts if you have questions or need support.”
“Throughout this election, we’ve seen that Texas voters are motivated to overcome any obstacles, and we’re here with them every step – from answering questions and addressing issues through the hotline – to litigation in the court. No matter your zip code, background, or party affiliation, all Texans deserve to have their voices heard on Election Day,” said Emily Eby, Senior Election Protection Attorney & Policy Council at Texas Civil Rights Project.
“Florida’s voters face some major challenges this year, with new election laws in effect and so many people still navigating upheaval in their lives as a result of Hurricane Ian–and now another storm on the way,” said Amy Keith, Program Director of Common Cause Florida. “But even with these challenges, Florida voters are exercising their freedom to vote, with over 2.5 million Vote-by-Mail ballots returned as of November 7th and over 2.2 million having voted early in person.”
“We have a duty to protect voting rights if we are to keep our democracy. We must oppose all efforts to suppress the vote,” said Harold Franklin of the Georgia Election Protection Legal Committee.
“Every American citizen deserves to be able to cast their ballot without fear or confusion,” said Khalif Ali, Executive Director of Common Cause Pennsylvania “We will continue to identify and block any effort to prevent voters from exercising their rights.”
“Every voter is owed an equal opportunity to vote,” said Pooja Chaudhuri, Counsel on the Lawyers’ Committee Voting Rights Project. “Even as the close of Election Day nears, we continue monitoring and remaining vigilant in our efforts to counter any attempts to undermine that fundamental right.”
“At the heart of our Election Protection work here in North Carolina, as shown through our hotline and Vote Protector program, is the belief that every voter deserves to have their voice heard and their vote counted,” said Julia Hawes, Communications Director at Democracy North Carolina. “Now, we want voters to stay in line, and be patient – we likely will not have final results tonight in North Carolina but we know that when our officials take the time to count and verify every ballot, it shows our democracy is working.”
“Democracy only works when everyone’s voice has the opportunity to be heard,” said Mia Lewis, Associate Director of Common Cause Ohio. “Young or old, no eligible voter should face obstacles to participating in elections.”
“Today, the weather system—rain, wind, and snow—has been making its presence known all throughout Nevada, but that hasn’t stopped Nevada voters from casting their ballots. It is the final day for voters to make their voices heard, whether that’s voting in-person at a site or returning their mail ballot via USPS or a designated drop-off location,” said Emily Persaud-Zamora, Executive Director of Silver State Voices. “Our Election Protection program has been working all day to ensure voters can access the polls, and our work won’t end until the results are certified by Friday, Nov. 18. Regardless of this election’s outcome, we thank Nevada voters, community partners, and the hardworking election workers and officials for making democracy possible.”
If any voters are experiencing intimidation, confusion, or obstruction at the polls —or witness such actions— they should call the Election Protection Hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE. To learn more about the resources available, please visit: www.lawyerscommittee.org/project/election-protection/
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About the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law – The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, formed in 1963 at the request of President John F. Kennedy to mobilize the nation’s leading lawyers as agents for change in the Civil Rights Movement. Today, the Lawyers’ Committee uses legal advocacy to achieve racial justice, fighting inside and outside the courts to ensure that Black people and other people of color have the voice, opportunity, and power to make the promises of our democracy real. For more information, please visithttps://lawyerscommittee.org
