The American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia will answer questions from voters who encounter problems at the polls on Election Day and is prepared to advocate on behalf of voters whose rights have been abridged.
The ACLU hotline number is (804) 644-8080. Emails sent to [email protected] will also be answered.
“Voting shouldn’t be difficult,” said ACLU of Virginia Executive Director Claire G. Gastañaga, “but there are always glitches on Election Day. With the changes in the state’s voter ID law, we’re anticipating additional problems at the polls. Most stem from a combination of voters not knowing their rights and poll workers not being as informed as they should be about election law.”
“Our main advice to voters this year is to have their IDs ready and to check their polling place in advance of Election Day,” said Gastañaga. “While the State Board of Elections has been sending out new voter registration cards, which serve as voters’ identification, it’s not the only acceptable form of ID. Voters can also use a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check or paycheck that shows the voter’s name and address.”
Advice the ACLU will be giving to voters is likely to include what to do if:
– they have lost or do not have identification with them
– they are told they are not on the registration rolls after arriving at the polls
– they make a mistake while completing their ballot
– their vote is challenged by someone else
– they cannot physically access the polling place
– they are told they cannot vote because they are wearing political attire
Voter Empowerment Cards
For the last dozen years, the ACLU of Virginia and the Virginia NAACP have jointly produced and disseminated thousands of pocket-sized cards describing voters’ rights. The Voters’ Rights Cards, available in English and Spanish, may be viewed or downloaded at www.acluva.org, or can be viewed on smartphones at http://mobile.aclu.org/letmevote.
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