For Immediate Release: September 17, 2008
As Key Voting Deadlines Approach, Major Nonpartisan Voter Protection Coalition Launches 2008 General Election Efforts
Civil Rights Leaders, Tyler Perry Urge Voters to call 1-866-OUR-VOTE to Seek Live, Confidential Help and to Report
Registration and Voting Problems
WASHINGTON-With early voting, registration and absentee deadlines looming, Election Protection launched its 2008 general
election efforts today. The nation's largest nonpartisan voter protection coalition, representing more than 100
organizations and the full spectrum of American citizens, will undertake the most comprehensive effort ever undertaken
to empower voters to make sure their vote counts this November 4. On a conference call for reporters and bloggers,
leaders from major civil rights organizations including the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, the National
Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Rock the Vote, the National Association of Latino Elected and
Appointed Officials and the National Congress of American Indians unveiled an extensive voter outreach program.
"This historic election deserves a historic election protection effort," said Barbara Arnwine, Executive Director,
Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. "This major coalition will offer comprehensive resources with one simple
goal - to ensure all eligible voters are given the opportunity to exercise their rights."
The centerpiece of those efforts are the free and nonpartisan hotlines (1-866-OUR VOTE for English speakers and
1-888-VE-Y-VOTA for Spanish speakers) which connect voters with questions or problems to legal experts that can offer
impartial and confidential advice. Fully trained volunteers have already started answering voters' calls and are helping
resolve voting issues nationwide, now and through Election Day.
In addition, Election Protection is announcing the launch of a campaign featuring radio ads with Hollywood star Tyler
Perry, who urges voters to use the free, confidential and nonpartisan hotlines - the ads will run in major states that
have traditionally experience challenges with the election process. On the web, the Election Protection resource,
www.866ourvote.org, features real time voter information and extensive instructions and advice on how voters can make
sure their voices are heard.
During the 2008 primaries, Election Protection found that many eligible voters across the country lost their right to
vote because of inaccurate voter rolls, poorly trained poll workers and problems with voting machines. Now, Election
Protection is mobilizing tens of thousands of volunteers, including 10,000 legal volunteers to monitor polling places,
educate voters, facilitate a dialogue with local and state officials, provide legal support to poll monitors, and answer
the 1-866-OUR-VOTE voter services hotline - a monumental undertaking designed to ensure smooth voting in November.
ENDS
Election Protection is the nation's largest nonpartisan voter protection coalition, led by the Lawyers' Committee for
Civil Rights Under Law. Through its 1-866-OUR-VOTE hotline (1-866-687-8683) and dedicated team of legal experts and
trained volunteers, Election Protection helps all American voters, including traditionally disenfranchised groups, gain
access to the polls and overcome obstacles to voting, offering live assistance. The coalition has more than 100 partners
at the national, state and local level and is providing live voter protection services now through Election Day for all
50 states.
For more information about Election Protection and the 1-866-OUR-VOTE Hotline, please visit www.866ourvote.org.