ACLU of SC Part of Election Protection Effort in SC

November 3, 2012. ACLU of SC Press Release. Problems Voting? Call 866-OUR-VOTE

Election Protection, the nation’s largest nonpartisan voter protection coalition, is making sure that everyone has an equal opportunity to vote in South Carolina, in alliance with various in-state groups. Election Protection’s 1-866-OUR-VOTE hotline is an important resource for any voter who has questions or is experiencing problems casting their ballot. In addition, Election Protection volunteers will at polling locations across South Carolina to provide assistance to voters. By calling the 1-866-OUR-VOTE hotline, voters can confirm their registration status, find their polling location, and get answers to questions about proper identification at the polls. Voters are encouraged to report any problems with the voting process to Election Protection.

"This will be the tenth year that this free, nonpartisan service has helped South Carolina voters with problems," said SC Progressive Network Director Brett Bursey. "We had 1,400 calls on Election Day in 2008, and due to the unusual circumstances affecting this election, we expect more this time around.”

“Voters must be made aware that the ID requirements for voting in the 2012 Election have not changed in South Carolina,” said Barbara Zia, Co-President of the League of Women Voters of South Carolina. All voters are required to bring either a valid driver’s license, DMV-issued ID card, or their voter registration card with them to the polls on Election Day. Voters should also note that they may be in a new political district for this election. Vicki McGahee of Protection and Advocacy for People with Disabilities, Inc. stressed that individuals who require assistance may vote curbside or appoint a person of their choosing to assist them.

“As we approach an election with so much at stake, we are seeing new efforts across the county to exclude citizens from registering and voting, on a scale unheard of since the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965,” said Victoria Middleton, Executive Director of the ACLU of South Carolina. “The work of the Election Protection Coalition is more important than ever.” Voter Reminders

• Verify your registration status to ensure that you can vote.
• Confirm your polling location, even if it has been in the same place for years.
• Bring required ID and know your rights regarding providing identification.
• Prepare your registered friends and neighbors and bring them to the polls!

Spanish language assistance is available at 1-888-Ve-Y-Vota (1-888-83-9-8682) — or www.yaeshora.info.

In addition, voters can access the Election Protection website at www.866OurVote.org for more information.