Hundreds of Volunteer Attorneys and Election ObserversPreparing to Protect Voters’ Rights

Voters Can Call (866) OUR-VOTE for Nonpartisan Election Assistance

LOS ANGELES – Today, California Common Cause announced its efforts to ensure voters’ rights are protected on Election Day.

“We encourage every Californian to make their voice heard in their community by voting,” said Kathay Feng, Executive Director of California Common Cause. “We are working to protect every eligible voter’s right to participate in our democracy.”

If voters encounter problems at the polls or have questions about voting, they can call the nonpartisan Election Protection hotline toll-free at (866) OUR-VOTE. The hotline will be open on Nov. 7 from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and on Election Day from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. The hotline will also remain open after Election Day for voters who wish to report problems.

Calls to the hotline are answered by trained nonpartisan volunteers under the supervision of voting rights attorneys. Volunteers can answer questions about voting procedures and, if appropriate, will contact local election officials or law enforcement to resolve issues that could interfere with voters’ rights.

In addition to the hotline, the Election Protection network will dispatch election observers to polling places. Hundreds of nonpartisan volunteers will cover 325 precincts in Los Angeles County, 90 precincts in San Bernardino County, and 75 precincts in Orange County. The trained nonpartisan volunteers will monitor for problems in election administration and for any actions that could result in voter intimidation or suppression.

In Southern California, the Election Protection network is managed by California Common Cause and the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, in partnership with Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, ReedSmith, and USC Gould School of Law. Partner hotlines are being operated by NALEO and AAAJ/APIA Vote.

“If you run into an obstacle when trying to vote, don’t give up,” Feng commented. “Call (866) OUR-VOTE and our trained nonpartisan volunteers will help you.”