Election 2024: Know your rights before you go to the polls

Happy Election Day! Time to go to the polls, assuming you haven’t already advance vote or sent yours. But before you go, make sure you know your rights in case you have trouble voting.

In the four years since the last presidential election, several states have passed new election laws, many in the name of increasing election security. But voting rights advocates argue that the vote was already certain and what the laws do is make it harder for some legitimate voters—especially people of color and other marginalized communities—to vote.

For example, the US Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed Republican officials in Virginia to proceed a plan to remove 1,600 suspected non-citizen voters from the state lists before the elections. Civil rights groups, backed by the Biden administration, challenged the plan, saying it also led to the removal of legal voters from the rolls.

In other states, voters face hurdles, including things like new proof-of-residency requirements, short deadlines for vote-by-mail applications, the elimination of drop-off boxes and restrictive voter ID requirements.

Before you go to vote, make sure you know where you’re going, have everything you need and know your rights. Here are some pointers from American Civil Liberties Union, Protection of elections and Verified vote.

Know your rights

Double check your polling place. The The Voting Information Project, which is run by the group Democracy Worksis a good place to start. You can enter your address to get the polling place and times. Otherwise, call your local election officials or go directly to their website. Beware of the unsolicited emails, texts or social media posts. They could be a scam or part of a disinformation campaign.

Find out what you need to vote. Some states require identification. Others may require an ID or other proof of residence if you are voting for the first time. Find out before you go.

Know your rights at the polls. If you’re in line when the polls close, you can still vote. If the voting machines go down, stand in line and ask for a paper ballot. And if you’re wrong, you have the right to ask for a new ballot.

What if your name is not on the list of voters in the survey? Write your name to make sure the survey worker gets it right, advises the ACLU. Ask the poll worker to double check that you are at the correct polling place. If you are, ask the election worker if there is an additional voter list or if there is a statewide database they can check. If they still can’t find your name, you still have the right to a provisional vote. This allows you to vote, then officials will investigate later to find out if you are eligible to vote. If you are, your vote will be counted.

What counts as voter intimidation? While observers are allowed at polling places, they are not allowed to aggressively question voters about their citizenship, criminal record or other qualifications to vote. People are also prohibited from impersonating election officials or spreading false information about voting requirements.

What if I have a disability or have problems with English? Polling stations must be accessible to people with physical disabilities or other mobility problems. Voters with disabilities and who have difficulty reading or writing English also have the right to receive in-person help from their elected official, with some restrictions, the ACLU says.

Do you need help? If you are turned away from the polls, denied a provisional ballot, or feel you have been subjected to voter intimidation, call the Election Protection hotline at 1-866-OUR-VOTE. Cases of voter intimidation should also be reported to local election officials.

Why it matters

Damon Hewitt, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Lawsays the right to vote is under “unprecedented attack” across the country, with these efforts too often targeting people of color.

“The voter suppression that we’re seeing today really reflects some of the worst times in our nation’s history,” Hewitt said in a conference call with reporters last month.

But he added that at the same time, there have always been leaders, community organizations and ordinary people who have pushed to protect the right to vote.

“We are united in fighting these efforts to intimidate, confuse and discourage the American people from making our voices heard,” Hewitt said.

His group and others joined forces again this year to form Election Protection, a coalition of civil and voting rights groups that is mobilizing to help if voters run into trouble Tuesday.

The Election Protection Voter Hotline can be reached at 1-866-OUR-VOTE. Additional resources, including voter helpline numbers in multiple languages, can be found at group website.