Spread the Word: Election Protection Launches Voting Hotlines, Outreach

Call the HOTLINE for help with ANY AND ALL registration and voting questions or problems:

1-866-OUR VOTE for English speakers
and 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA for Spanish speakers

Election Protection Website: www.866ourvote.org, features real time voter information and extensive instructions and advice on how voters can make sure their voices are heard. You can find information specifically about New Mexico here. Check out the New Mexico Voter Registration Guide created by the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law.

Click for flyers to help spread the word.

With early voting, registration and absentee deadlines looming, Election Protection has launched its 2008 general election efforts. The nation’s largest nonpartisan voter protection coalition, representing more than 100 organizations and the full spectrum of American citizens, will undertake the most comprehensive effort ever undertaken to empower voters to make sure their vote counts this November 4.

On a conference call for reporters and bloggers, leaders from major civil rights organizations including the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Rock the Vote, the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials and the National Congress of American Indians unveiled an extensive voter outreach program.

“This historic election deserves a historic election protection effort,” said Barbara Arnwine, Executive Director, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. “This major coalition will offer comprehensive resources with one simple goal --  to ensure all eligible voters are given the opportunity to exercise their rights.”

English and Spanish Hotlines
The centerpiece of those efforts are the free and nonpartisan hotlines (1-866-OUR VOTE for English speakers and 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA for Spanish speakers) which connect voters with questions or problems to legal experts that can offer impartial and confidential advice. Fully trained volunteers have already started answering voters’ calls and are helping resolve voting issues nationwide, now and through Election Day.

Radio Ads
In addition, Election Protection is announcing the launch of a campaign featuring radio ads with Hollywood star Tyler Perry, who urges voters to use the free, confidential and nonpartisan hotlines- – the ads will run in major states that have traditionally experience challenges with the election process.

Tens of Thousands of Volunteers
During the 2008 primaries, Election Protection found that many eligible voters across the country lost their right to vote because of inaccurate voter rolls, poorly trained poll workers and problems with voting machines. Now, Election Protection is mobilizing tens of thousands of volunteers, including 10,000 legal volunteers to monitor polling places, educate voters, facilitate a dialogue with local and state officials, provide legal support to poll monitors, and answer the 1-866-OUR-VOTE voter services hotline –- a monumental undertaking designed to ensure smooth voting in November.

Election Protection is the nation’s largest nonpartisan voter protection coalition, led by the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. Through its 1-866-OUR-VOTE hotline (1-866-687-8683) and dedicated team of legal experts and trained volunteers, Election Protection helps all American voters, including traditionally disenfranchised groups, gain access to the polls and overcome obstacles to voting, offering live assistance. The coalition has more than 100 partners at the national, state and local level and is providing live voter protection services now through Election Day for all 50 states.

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Help us get the word out about the 866-OUR-VOTE hotline to protect all Americans’ right to vote.

The time is now. Voting registration deadlines are looming. The deadline in New Mexico is less than 3 weeks away.

Today, Election Protection, the largest (non-partisan) voter protection effort ever undertaken, officially launched its general election hotline (866-OUR-VOTE) to assist ANY AND ALL registration and voting questions or problems (see attached press release).

Please consider blogging about our 866-OUR-VOTE hotline and 866OURVOTE.org website so voters will know where to turn if they experience problems registering or verifying their registration. Voting disenfranchisement during registration continues to be a serious problem (see this report from the NY Times about Virginia discouraging college student from voting).

The time is now. For more information, see the post today on TPM, visit 866OURVOTE.ORG, or call Alex Slater at 202-337-0808.