VOTING RIGHTS UNDER ATTACK IN U.S. AND SAN DIEGO

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Common Cause seeks volunteers to monitor polls on Election Day

October 24, 2012 (San Diego)--This past June, San Diego witnessed an unprecedented surge in voter intimidation during the primary. A nationally funded voter suppression effort is expected to employ even harsher bullying tactics on November 6th, when even more voters will be exercising their fundamental right to cast a ballot.

Students, older folks, people for whom English may not be their first language and who knows who else may be subject to “bullying at the ballot box,” a Common Cause press release issued today reveals.  “Common Cause believes the vote is sacred and stands in opposition to any attempts in California and across the nation to deny citizens, any citizens, the right to vote,” the release states.

California Common Cause, along with The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, the San Diego offices of DLA Piper, and the American Civil Liberties Union need your assistance on Election Day, November 6, 2012 in San Diego! The Election Protection program is the nation’s largest, nonpartisan, voter protection coalition and ensures that eligible voters across the country are guaranteed their right to cast a ballot on Election Day.

“We are looking for volunteers to serve as nonpartisan poll monitors on November 6th. As a poll monitor you will identify and troubleshoot any issues confronting voters,” Simon Mayeski with Common Cause said. “You will have support from the attorneys on the national Election Protection hotline and the San Diego command center at DLA Piper; attorneys, paralegals, and law students will also be serving as poll monitors.”

There are three shifts available on Election Day, and you can register for one or more on the sign up page: 

6:30 AM -11:30 AM

11:30 AM - 4:30 PM

4:30 PM - 8:30 PM

As you see, shifts will begin as early as 6:30 a.m. so it’s easy to volunteer and still get to work at a decent hour..

Volunteers simply need to attend a 90-minute training the week before the election and sign-up for at least one shift on Election Day:

On the Common Cause sign up page, you will see have midday, evening and weekend training options. You only need to attend one of them, and you will be with many other attendees: lawyers, law students, other legal professionals AND non-legal-trained volunteers from all walks of life. You will be trained in everything you will need (and will have phone numbers for immediate backup and support if that becomes necessary on Election Day.) These 90-minute trainings will include time for Q & A and role-playing activities. To register with Common Cause, sign up for training and Election Day shifts at http://www.commoncause.org/ca/SDEP


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