CONNECTICUT VOTES!

ELECTION PROTECTION VOLUNTEER TRAINING

October - November 2012

Goal is to ensure Connecticut voters have all necessary information to vote and to have their vote be counted

– Provide voters with necessary non-partisan information on voting

– Quickly identify trouble spots and work to correct them

Need for Voting Heroes

• We are seeing increased voter suppression efforts and as a result:

• new laws curbing access to voting• third party efforts to deceive, mislead, intimidate and

challenge voters.

Other Voter Suppression

• Other government efforts to restrict access to voting include

– Limiting Voter Registration Drives– Requiring Proof of Citizenship– Shortening Early Voting Periods

Deceptive Practices• Deceptive practices to intimidate or to mislead voters

about their right to vote and the time and place of voting. – A deceptive flyer was distributed stating that due to

expected high voter turnout anyone voting Republican to vote on Tuesday and anyone voting Democratic to vote on Wednesday. (Virginia 2008)

– Calls made on eve of the election telling people their voting locations had changed and they needed to check on where to vote (Colorado, 2008)

– Calls telling voters that the election is already decided and so they don’t need to go to the polls to vote (Maryland, 2010)

Intimidation

• Police presence at the polls is intimidating and is frequently deployed in minority communities.

Connecticut’s Election Protection Program

• Poll Monitors:– Goal is to provide voters information about their rights,

including handing out palm cards– Answer voters’ questions– Direct them to the hotline– Be our ‘eyes and ears’ to observe polling place activity

Voting Heroes: What We Do

• We are non-partisan. We do not represent or give advice on candidates or issues on the ballot.

• We send any questions to the hotline if they are not specifically covered on the palm card.

• We do what we can to ensure that voters have a positive experience at the polls.

Voting Heroes: What We Don’t Do

• Do not engage in electioneering.• Do not talk to the media. Any media inquiries

should be referred to the Call Center.• Do not challenge voters in any way. No

pressure to do our surveys, talk to us, take our flyers.

• Do not engage in ANY form of confrontation, verbal or physical with anyone.

Strategy for Poll Monitors• Teams of 2 will be assigned to volunteer at 1 or more

polling places within a geographic area.• Voting locations are chosen based on the following

factors:– History of problems– High percentage of traditionally disenfranchised

voters and/or high percentage of likely new voters• We will be reviewing the “day of” activities and what

to do at the polling locations at the end of this presentation.

OVERVIEW OF ELECTION LAW AND PRACTICE

Voter Identification Requirements

• In Connecticut, voters must present a valid form of identification in order to cast a ballot.

• IMPORTANT: THERE IS NO PHOTO ID REQUIREMENT in Connecticut.

Acceptable Forms of ID for Voters who have cast ballots in previous election OR who registered using a valid driver’s license number or the

last four digits of their social security number (any ONE of the following):

• Valid Connecticut Drivers License• Social security card• Any pre-printed form of identification which shows your name

and address• Any pre-printed form of identification which shows your name

and signature• Any pre-printed form of identification which shows your name

and photograph• If you do not have the above identification you may sign a

statement on Form ED-681 (Signature of Elector who did not provide ID) testifying to your identity

First time voters who registered after 2003 and did not provide either a drivers license number or the last 4 digits of their social security number may be asked for ONE of the following forms

of additional identification:

• A copy of a current and valid photo identification with your name and address

• A copy of your current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck

• A government document that shows your name and address• A valid Connecticut motor vehicle operator's license number• The last four digits of your Social Security number

Provisional Ballots• The purpose of a provisional ballot is to protect the right of individuals to

vote under any circumstance.

• Provisional ballots may be cast by eligible voters in a Federal Election for many different reasons, including:

– Voter claims to be properly registered but their qualification to vote cannot be immediately established

– The voter is at the wrong precinct, – The voter does not have or doesn’t want to present identification, or – The voter has requested a mail-in ballot but has not cast it.

Voters may request a provisional ballot from an election official. Provisional Ballots offer voting for candidates running for Federal

offices only.

Barriers to Voting• Challenges to Voters at polling places

• Polling places that are not accessible for people with disabilities

Challengers at the Polls• Any person’s right to vote may be challenged, based

on their age, citizenship or residence at a polling place on Election Day.

• This challenge may be brought by only a challenger appointed by the Registrars of Voters.

• The challenge must be in writing and specify a basis for the challenge.

• No challenge based on disability or guardianship is allowed.

What to do About Challenges

• If you become aware that voters are being challenged inside the polls, contact the Election Protection number immediately.

• If voters are willing to talk with you, collect any information you can about their experience in being challenged or in observing voters being challenged

Accessibility for Voters with Disabilities• The Help America Vote Act requires that the right to

vote and all polling places be accessible to voters with disabilities. Accessible entry to polls, voting by phone, curbside voting, and assisted voting are required to be available at all polling places.

Additional Issues• Minority Language Issues• Felon Voting Rights• Electioneering

Felon Voting RightsFelons:• A person who is serving time or who is on parole for

a felony is not permitted to vote in an election. • However, a person who has served their sentence,

including parole, CAN vote. • Former felons must register to vote again upon

completion of their sentence and parole. They do NOT need to provide documentation, but simply fill out a new voter registration form. They must adhere to regular voter registration deadlines.

Campaigning at the Polls

• There is no campaigning permitted within seventy five feet of the polling place.

• Campaigning includes displaying support for or encouraging support of any particular party within this seventy five foot perimeter around a polling place. That means that T-shirts, stickers or signs supporting a candidate or party must be covered up or put away when approaching the polling site.

Election Day

• Arrive at your scheduled time with voter protection materials (palm card and/or flyers).

• There should be two Voting Heroes at each place. Find each other and find a visible place to stand. Wear your T shirt!

• Start Greeting Voters. • If moving between several assigned locations,

divide your time among the locations.

Greeting Voters

• Be friendly and smile• Remain 75 feet away from the building entrance• Greet voters on the way in and ask if they have any

questions• Greet voters on the way out, thank them for voting

and ask if they had any problems voting• Hand out palm cards to anyone who wants them, but

don’t force anyone to take one• Make sure voters know that the Election Protection

hotline is 1-866-733-2463

Keep An Eye Out For….

• People challenging voters • Electioneering inside 75 feet • Accessibility issues (language and/or

disability) • Police presence

Voting Heroes: What We Do

• You are non-partisan. Do not represent or give advice on candidates or issues on the ballot.

• Send any questions to the hotline if they are not specifically covered on the palm card.

• Do what you can to ensure that voters have a positive experience at the polls.

Voting Heroes: What We Don’t Do

• Do not engage in electioneering.• Do not talk to the media. Any media inquiries

should be referred to the hotline.• Do not challenge voters in any way. No

pressure to do our surveys, talk to us, take our flyers.

• Do not engage in ANY form of confrontation, verbal or physical with anyone.

THANK YOU FOR VOLUNTEERING WITH COMMON CAUSE IN CONNECTICUT!!