Election Day: Know Your Rights

Via an email from Denise Lieberman, Missouri Voter Protection Advocate:

VOTE AUG. 3!

Help protect the right to vote! Missouri's Primary Elections will be held Tues. Aug. 3, 2010. Polls are open from 6 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Voters can select a party ballot of their choice (Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, Constitutional, or Non-Partisan).

Attached is the Missouri Voter Bill of Rights. This contains important nonpartisan information about your right to vote!

You can distribute this to members of your group, voters, people who will be working the polls, and anyone else you think might need this information.

** If you have questions about your rights or experience any problems at the polls, document the incident & report it immediately to your local election board.**

St. Louis City: 314-622-4336 , http://www.stlelections.com/
St. Louis County: 314-615-1800, http://www.co.st-louis.mo.us/elections/
Kansas City: 816-842-4820, http://www.kceb.org/
Jackson County: 816-325-4600, http://www.jcebmo.org/
For all other counties: http://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/goVoteMissouri/localelectionauthority.aspx

Check your voter registration at: https://mcvr.mo.gov/voterlookup/

Find out where you vote at: https://mcvr.mo.gov/elections/pollingplacelookup/

Know your rights - it's the best way to assure your rights will be protected!

See you at the polls,
-Denise
-------------------------

National office:
1220 L St. Suite 850
Washington, D.C. 20005
www.advancementproject.org

MISSOURI VOTERS' BILL OF RIGHTS

You have the right to vote - it's the law, and you have the proof in your hands! You can bring this bill of rights with you into the polls. This is completely non-partisan and does not support any candidate or issue.

1. You have the right to vote if you are in line when the polls close at 7 p.m. §115.407.

2. Photo ID is NOT Required. Voters MUST show identification to vote. §115.427.1. But it does not need to include your photo or your signature. You can present any one of the following:
• ID card issued by a federal, state or local government authority or agency;
• ID card from a college, university, vocational or technical school located in Missouri;
• current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other government document that contains your name and current address;
• driver’s license or state ID card from Missouri or another state; or
• voter identification card sent to you in the mail by the election authority.
Voters without ID can vote a regular ballot if personally known by two election judges (one from each party).

3. You have the right to cast a provisional ballot if your eligibility can’t be established. § 115.430.2. But a provisional ballot cast in the wrong polling place will not count! Make sure you are directed to vote at your correct polling place or at a central polling place, such as Election Board headquarters.

4. You have the right to assistance to help you vote. §115.445.3. You can get help from an election official, or may bring any person of your choice (including a child, relative or friend) to help before, during or after voting if you need help reading or casting your ballot. The assistant does not have to be over 18 or a registered voter. You may bring children into the polling place with you.

5. Voters with disabilities have a right to accessible voting. If your polling place is not accessible, poll workers must come to your car and let you vote curbside outside your polling place upon request. You have a right to an accessible ballot (voting machines tilt, move up and down, and are equipped with accommodations for the visually impaired). You may move to the front if a disability prevents you from standing in line.

6. If you have moved within the same county and have not been removed from the list of registered voters, you have the right to vote at a central polling place or at the polling place that serves your new address. §115.165.2

7. If you make a mistake or "spoil" your ballot before you submit it, you can request a new one. § 115.439.4

8. If you were convicted of a felony other than one related to voting, and have completed your sentence (including any probation or parole), you have the right to register to vote and vote. § 115.133.4.

9. No one is allowed to try to influence your vote within 25 feet of the polling place. § 115.637(18). No one at a polling place may intimidate you.

10. You have a choice of voting systems. You can use a paper ballot or an electronic voting machine where choice is available.