Partisan Voter Challengers May Suppress Votes

Press Release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Denise Lieberman, Senior Attorney
Advancement Project

VOTER RIGHTS GROUP RAISES CONCERN TO ELECTION OFFICIALS ABOUT AGGRESSIVE VOTER CHALLENGES IN ST. LOUIS AREA

[ST. LOUIS, MO – Nov. 1, 2010] - In light of recent media reports of systemic vote suppression efforts in early vote sites around the country, and with reports of similar aggressive campaigns planned in Missouri on Election Day, Advancement Project, a leading voter protection organization, has appealed to local election officials to ensure that poll workers are trained in how to respond to challenges at the polls.

“We are deeply concerned about poll worker confusion in light of recent reports that partisan entities plan to conduct aggressive challenges to voters’ eligibility at the polls in St. Louis and St. Louis County during the November 2, 2010, General Elections,” said Denise Lieberman, Senior Attorney and Missouri’s voter protection advocate with Advancement Project. “These aggressive operations create the risk of voter suppression and voter intimidation and are likely to have a disparate impact on minority voters.”

The letter advises election officials: “You have an obligation to ensure that voters are not intimidated, harassed, or thwarted from voting by untrained challengers or confused poll workers who fail to follow the requirements for challenges under Missouri law.”

“Election officials have the obligation to ensure that the promised presence of challengers engaged in aggressive challenging of voters’ eligibility does not create chaotic conditions, disenfranchise voters, or intimidate either voters or poll workers, who are required to allow eligible voters to cast a ballot even if challenged, upon verification of the voter’s eligibility. The fact that a voter’s eligibility has been challenged does not necessarily mean that she cannot vote a regular ballot,” Lieberman wrote to officials. A voter who is challenged must have her eligibility verified by the poll worker, but is entitled to vote a regular ballot if eligible. Voters whose eligibility cannot be immediately established are allowed to cast a provisional ballot.

Advancement Project has also prepared a summary of state laws related to challengers, watchers, intimidation and legal polling place activities that can be used to combat intimidation, challenges or other tactics that disrupt the voting process or discourage voting.

Voters who experience problems at the polls should call the toll-free non-partisan Election Protection Hotline at: 1-866-OURVOTE. Local Election Protection attorneys will be on hand to assist voters on Election Day.

Missouri Voters Bill of Rights

Please share far and wide so that everyone knows their rights. It's possible that the other side will be sending "vote challangers" to try to intimidate people from legitimately voting: remember, they have no authority, the only people who have authority are the poll workers, and they should be trying to help you.


You Have the Right to Vote!

Call 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683)

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. If you have questions or difficulties voting, call toll free: 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683). This hotline is here to help all voters. It is 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 issued by a federal, state or local government authority or agency;

ID 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 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 and voting booth 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 may influence your vote within 25 feet of the polling place. § 115.637(18). No one at a polling place may intimidate you, including police.

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