Washington, DC (November 5, 2019) – Election Protection, the nation’s largest and longest-running nonpartisan voter protection coalition, is continuing its nationwide effort to protect voting rights across the U.S. on Election Day. Election Protection, led by the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, is operating the Election Protection hotline on Election Day from 6:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. (EST), providing assistance to voters from coast to coast on its 866-OUR-VOTE hotline. The hotline is staffed by trained legal volunteers. Their efforts are complemented by the deployment of volunteer poll monitors in key states and municipalities around the country.
“This year may be called an ‘off-year’ by some, but it’s an ‘on-year’ for the rights of voters and the thousands of volunteers working with Election Protection to preserve our fundamental rights at the ballot box,” said Kristen Clarke, president and executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. “There are many state-wide and local elections that will affect the lives of so many. Election Protection efforts in 2019 includes a network of partners providing comprehensive support for voters to ensure that every voice is heard this election cycle. We encourage all voters across the country who encounter obstacles at the polls or who are otherwise denied the right to cast a ballot to immediately contact 866-OUR-VOTE for help. Our end goal is to ensure that all eligible voters are able to participate 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. This year, the program is particularly focused on the following issues:
- How recent voting restrictions have the potential to impact the 2019 state and local elections
- Voter registration barriers, including impact of recent and aggressive voter purges, in states like Georgia and New York
- Improper challenges to voter eligibility at the polls
- Ongoing voter suppression concerns throughout the country
- Voter suppression faced by African Americans, Latinos and other racial minorities
- Election misinformation online and the response of social media.
Voters can seek answers to their questions or report problems through Election Protection at the following hotlines on Election Day from 6:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. EST.
Press Call Details
WHAT: The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law is holding a press call to provide an overview of their efforts in protecting voting rights for all Americans in light of Tuesday’s elections in key states across the country.
WHEN: 2:00 PM ET on Tuesday, November 5th
DIAL-IN: Dial-In: Call in: 877‑876‑9173; Conference ID: ELECTIONDAY; Password: PRESS
Overview: The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law is hosting a press call providing an overview of some of the nation’s most pressing voter rights issues, in light of the upcoming 2019 General Elections. Voter suppression, purging efforts and registration issues have been rampant in the elections across the country – the Lawyer’s Committee will be sharing some of its ongoing litigation and advocacy efforts to combat voting rights issues, and to protect voter rights for current and future elections.
Participants:
- Misty Jones, Senior Legal Mobilization Coordinator, The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
- Ezra Rosenberg, Co-Director, Voting Rights Project, The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
- Marcia Johnson-Blanco, Co-Director, Voting Rights Project, The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
These elections 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 midterms, 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.
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