PRESS
RELEASE from Election Protection
For Immediate Release: September 17,
2008
CONTACTS:
Nell McGarity, [Glover Park Group]
Alex Slater, [Glover Park Group]
Josh Smith, [Glover Park Group]
Stacie Miller, [Lawyers Committee]
AS KEY VOTING DEADLINES APPROACH, MAJOR NONPARTISAN VOTER PROTECTION COALITION LAUNCHES 2008 GENERAL ELECTION EFFORTS
Civil Rights Leaders, Tyler Perry Urge Voters to call 1-866-OUR-VOTE to Seek Live, Confidential Help and to Report Registration and Voting Problems
WASHINGTON-With early voting, registration
and absentee deadlines looming, Election Protection launched its 2008
general election efforts today. 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."
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.
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. On the web, the Election Protection resource,
www.866ourvote.org, features real time voter information and extensive
instructions and advice on how voters can make sure their voices are
heard.
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.
For more information about Election Protection and the 1-866-OUR-VOTE
Hotline, please visit: www.866ourvote.org.