One more day/ One day more!
The checklist below assembled by the AMAZING AND GENEROUS heidi8. What an incredible set of resources she has put together. YAY HEIDI! ♥
Today:
__ Visit the Voter Information Page to see what ID your state requires you to bring to the polls.
__ If you've recently moved, check your state's requirements regarding addresses. For example, in Florida, as long as you're at the precinct for your current address, the address on your ID does NOT need to match the address on the official voter list, but you may be asked to sign an affidavit attesting to your change of address, whereas in Massachusetts, your ID must have your name and current address, but it doesn't need to be a photo ID, as the state will allow you to use a government check or official document; current utility bill; or paycheck or stub.
__ Check www.canivote.org to make sure you're registered (although don't panic if you arent' listed as they are a bit behind the times) and to find your polling place. (Thanks, rookie131!)
__ Put these phone numbers into your phone now: 1-877-US-4-OBAMA (1-877-874-6226) and 866-OUR-VOTE. It's possible that one number might be jammed, or an overload of calls might make it hard for you to get through, so bring both.
__ If you have a Twitter account, visit TwitterVoteReport. Include the hashtag #votereport and report what's going on in your precinct using the info here.
__ If you have a phone with a web browser, put this URL into your bookmarks now: http://my.barackobama.com/page/s/vpcreport - you can report problems at the polls there. Do not report lines of under 90 minutes, because that's not a problem, that's expected to be the standard operating procedure.
__ Join me in reading Carl Haissen's Election Day prayer for the Sunshine State:
Deliver us from scandal, Lord. Let our optical-scanners perform flawlessly. Let the trucks that carry our precious ballot boxes not be hijacked and later abandoned behind a strip joint, and let those who count those ballots be pure of character and pretty good with math.
__ If you're in a warm state, freeze a water bottle or two so you have cold water while you're waiting in line. If you're in a cold state, grab a cup of coffee to bring to the polls to keep your hands warm while you wait.
If you believe you are legitimately registered to vote and if you are at the correct precinct (check your precinct location today!), and you are not allowed to vote a standard ballot, here's a checklist of What To Do:
__ Do not vote a provisional ballot (or at least, don't vote a provisional ballot unless you've gone through all the steps below, and if you do, be prepared to file an affidavit on Wednesday stating why your vote should be counted). This article from New Jersey explains some of the problems with provisional ballots - if you sent your voter registration form in on time, you can vote a standard ballot.
Bring the phone number for your county's Election Office, and ask the poll workers to call to confirm that your name is on the voting roster, even if it isn't on the list at the polling station. For example, Ohio's Secretary of State Office has info about how to get a provisional ballot counted.
__ Call the Voter Protection Hotline at 1-877-US-4-OBAMA (1-877-874-6226) and someone will be able to help you. If you didn't put this phone number in your phone when I mentioned it before, stop and do it now. We'll wait for you.
__ Call the hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE (888-Ve-Y-Vota in Spanish) and/or visit their companion site www.866ourvote.org, sponsored by the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law -- a nonpartisan group that sponsors the Campaign for Fair Elections -- is working in partnership with more than 100 organizations to maintain
If the voting machine malfunctions or something else goes wrong:
__ Do the Twitter thing I posted about above or use one of the following things suggested by TwitterVoteReport:
* Send a text message to 66937 and start your message with “#votereport”
* Download and use the iPhone app
* Find the “votereport” app in the Google Android marketplace
* Key in a report by calling (567) 258-VOTE/8683 (coming soon)
If you're still in line when the polls close:
Stay in line. Anyone in line when the polls close must be allowed to vote. Even if your candidate of choice is announced as the winner of the presidency, there will be local and statewide races where you should make your voice be heard.
Um, what am I forgetting? Urls, phone numbers, email addresses, etc?
ETA: Right! Wear comfortable shoes!
***
Also, if you are a fangirl of Barack Obama (like me) you absolutely should go over and check out this MASSIVE PICSPAM O' LOVE by adinfinitum! SQUEEE!!!
Today:
__ Visit the Voter Information Page to see what ID your state requires you to bring to the polls.
__ If you've recently moved, check your state's requirements regarding addresses. For example, in Florida, as long as you're at the precinct for your current address, the address on your ID does NOT need to match the address on the official voter list, but you may be asked to sign an affidavit attesting to your change of address, whereas in Massachusetts, your ID must have your name and current address, but it doesn't need to be a photo ID, as the state will allow you to use a government check or official document; current utility bill; or paycheck or stub.
__ Check www.canivote.org to make sure you're registered (although don't panic if you arent' listed as they are a bit behind the times) and to find your polling place. (Thanks, rookie131!)
__ Put these phone numbers into your phone now: 1-877-US-4-OBAMA (1-877-874-6226) and 866-OUR-VOTE. It's possible that one number might be jammed, or an overload of calls might make it hard for you to get through, so bring both.
__ If you have a Twitter account, visit TwitterVoteReport. Include the hashtag #votereport and report what's going on in your precinct using the info here.
__ If you have a phone with a web browser, put this URL into your bookmarks now: http://my.barackobama.com/page/s/vpcreport - you can report problems at the polls there. Do not report lines of under 90 minutes, because that's not a problem, that's expected to be the standard operating procedure.
__ Join me in reading Carl Haissen's Election Day prayer for the Sunshine State:
Deliver us from scandal, Lord. Let our optical-scanners perform flawlessly. Let the trucks that carry our precious ballot boxes not be hijacked and later abandoned behind a strip joint, and let those who count those ballots be pure of character and pretty good with math.
__ If you're in a warm state, freeze a water bottle or two so you have cold water while you're waiting in line. If you're in a cold state, grab a cup of coffee to bring to the polls to keep your hands warm while you wait.
If you believe you are legitimately registered to vote and if you are at the correct precinct (check your precinct location today!), and you are not allowed to vote a standard ballot, here's a checklist of What To Do:
__ Do not vote a provisional ballot (or at least, don't vote a provisional ballot unless you've gone through all the steps below, and if you do, be prepared to file an affidavit on Wednesday stating why your vote should be counted). This article from New Jersey explains some of the problems with provisional ballots - if you sent your voter registration form in on time, you can vote a standard ballot.
Bring the phone number for your county's Election Office, and ask the poll workers to call to confirm that your name is on the voting roster, even if it isn't on the list at the polling station. For example, Ohio's Secretary of State Office has info about how to get a provisional ballot counted.
__ Call the Voter Protection Hotline at 1-877-US-4-OBAMA (1-877-874-6226) and someone will be able to help you. If you didn't put this phone number in your phone when I mentioned it before, stop and do it now. We'll wait for you.
__ Call the hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE (888-Ve-Y-Vota in Spanish) and/or visit their companion site www.866ourvote.org, sponsored by the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law -- a nonpartisan group that sponsors the Campaign for Fair Elections -- is working in partnership with more than 100 organizations to maintain
If the voting machine malfunctions or something else goes wrong:
__ Do the Twitter thing I posted about above or use one of the following things suggested by TwitterVoteReport:
* Send a text message to 66937 and start your message with “#votereport”
* Download and use the iPhone app
* Find the “votereport” app in the Google Android marketplace
* Key in a report by calling (567) 258-VOTE/8683 (coming soon)
If you're still in line when the polls close:
Stay in line. Anyone in line when the polls close must be allowed to vote. Even if your candidate of choice is announced as the winner of the presidency, there will be local and statewide races where you should make your voice be heard.
Um, what am I forgetting? Urls, phone numbers, email addresses, etc?
ETA: Right! Wear comfortable shoes!
***
Also, if you are a fangirl of Barack Obama (like me) you absolutely should go over and check out this MASSIVE PICSPAM O' LOVE by adinfinitum! SQUEEE!!!