Attorneys are standing by to answer voters’ questions now through Election Day.
The Wisconsin Election Protection voter hotline is available to anyone. Stacy Harbaugh with the ACLU wants voters to know they can call with election-related questions or complaints. “Everything from ‘Where do I find out if I’m registered? Where do I find out where to vote?’ to taking complaints from people if they see problems, whether it’s long lines, insufficient ballots or registration forms, or any problems that they see at the polls.”
Knowledgeable nonpartisan Election Protection attorneys are standing by to answer the 1-866-OUR-VOTE hotline. Harbaugh says it’s a great resource to not only get answers to questions, which have so far been general, but also to file complaints.
Attorneys can follow up and fix the problems. “The problems that we might anticipate for Election Day could involve things like long lines, insufficient paperwork for people to register on the day of, but also we’re concerned that there might be disruptions at the polling places. So, our attorneys are going to be there to respond to those problems and advocate for people’s voting rights.”
Harbaugh says, attorneys will call elections officials if necessary, to make sure the process runs smoothly ensuring everyone gets a chance to vote.
The 866-OUR-VOTE hotline was live in the Badger State on the June 5 Recall Election. Harbaugh says they took over 2,000 calls from Wisconsin residents at that time. In addition to the phone line, the group is also doling out information on facebook, twitter, and via their website.
Wisconsin Election Protection is a member of the national election protection project. It’s a nonpartisan coalition of organizations whose purpose is to protect voting rights, expose and prevent voter intimidation, and to preserve access to the polls for all voters.
Wisconsin voters are not required to show a photo ID in order to vote. Call 1-866-OUR-VOTE if you run into any problems.
AUDIO: Jackie Johnson 1:47