The MOMocrats are passing along this information in partnership with 866 Our Vote and will be sharing more information as we get it.
ELECTION
ALERT: VIRGINIA AND PENNSYLVANIA VOTERS FACE SERIOUS THREATS TO THEIR VOTING
RIGHTS AT THE POLLS
Voters can call 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683) to report issues at the polls
November 4, 2008 - Voters are reporting major obstacles to casting their ballot
in polling locations across Virginia and Pennsylvania, which could
disenfranchise thousands of [state] voters. Long lines, broken voting machines,
ballot shortages and misused absentee ballots are just some of the problems
that threaten to rob thousands of eligible voters of their right to vote.
In Virginia:
* Dozens of polling places are experiencing varying degrees
of machine malfunction. Some polling places are either completely closed or
have been closed for hours.
* Thousands of voters may have been turned away illegally by
polling workers.
* Voters have illegally been issued with provisional ballets
where machines have been broken.
* Students at Virginia Tech, previously the victims of
misinformation, have seen their polling place suddenly and unexpectedly moved
six miles to a location with little parking.
In Pennsylvania:
* Voting machine malfunctions are widespread and at least a
dozen locations, mainly focused on Pittsburg and Philadelphia.
* We have received reports of campaign materials are being
illegally distributed at polling locations in Pittsburg.
* Voters across the state are reporting that they never
received their absentee ballots, which is creating additional chaos at the
polls.
Several other states like Florida, Ohio, Colorado and Michigan are reporting
long lines due to problems with registration lists and poll locations.
Election Protection legal volunteers are working to resolve these issues
quickly to ensure that no one leaves their polling location without effectively
casting a ballot. Voting rights experts urge voters to stay patient and
cooperative in the meantime and to report all instances of voter intimidation
or disenfranchisement to Election Protection's 866-OUR-VOTE hotline
immediately.
All voters have the right to vote without intimidation or problems. There is no
excuse for these sorts of problems, which not only threaten individual voters'
rights, but also the integrity of our election. The only way to prevent such
failures in the future will be to institute comprehensive election reform to
improve the registration process, voting systems, and administration and to
prevent disenfranchisement of all voters.
If voters have questions about their rights, the 1-866-OUR-VOTE Hotline has
thousands of trained Election Protection volunteers and legal experts available
to provide direct assistance to voters in across the country. Experts can help
voters understand their rights, verify their registration status, find their
polling place, and resolve Election Day issues.
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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.
For more information about Election Protection and the 1-866-OUR-VOTE Hotline,
please visit: www.866ourvote.org.
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