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Election Protection Offered by Several Groups

In an effort to combat either organized or accidental voter suppression in tomorrow’s election, nonpartisan voter protection organizations such as the Election Protection coalition have launched nationwide projects aimed at ensuring all voters arrive informed and prepared for any problems they might encounter at the polls. Representatives of voter protection organizations are trained to help voters verify their registration status and identify their polling location, explain common election day issues such as provisional balloting and provide tips to help protect voter’s rights.

Thus far in the 2008 presidential election, “tens of thousands of eligible voters in at least six swing states have been removed from the rolls or have been blocked from registering in ways that appear to violate federal law,” according to The New York Times.

Particularly in battleground states like Colorado, New Mexico, Virginia, Ohio and North Carolina, voter intimidation and suppression are highly anticipated. The large increase in voter registration – coupled with the expected high turnout on election day and new ID requirements under the Help America Vote Act (2002) – could cause many voters to have to cast provisional ballots. Other worrying issues include polling place accessibility, wait times and false claims of voter ineligibility.

To learn more about voter suppression or to access a list of useful voting tips, visit Election Protection, CommonCause.org, and AFGE.org.

Sources:

The New York Times 10/8/08; Wall Street Journal 10/10/08; Brennan Center for Justice 10/30/2008; Alternet.org 7/30/03

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