PROTECT YOURSELF
WHAT EVERY VOTER NEEDS TO KNOW BEFORE NOV.4

Given the unprecedented registration and excitement during this election season, and the reports we’re seeing on Early Vote, we can expect a record high turnout on Election Day, November 4. A higher turnout, particularly with lots of first time voters can also increase the number of problems at the polls. To make sure everyone gets the opportunity to vote and has their vote counted, we are asking you to MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A PLAN FOR ELECTION DAY. Here are some simple questions you should answer BEFORE you head out to vote.

1. AM I REGISTERED AND WHERE IS MY POLLING SITE?
Whether you are a regular voter or not, you should verify whether you are still registered. You also need to know where your polling site is as it may have changed.
VERIFY YOUR REGISTRATION and FIND YOUR POLLING SITE by:

• calling 1-866-OUR-VOTE
• going on line to: govote.org
• calling your local Board of Elections

If you are at the correct polling site but your name is not on the register, you can request a provisional ballot. If election officials don’t allow you to cast a provisional ballot call 1-866-OUR-VOTE. You should only vote with a provisional ballot as a last resort after you’ve confirmed you are at the correct polling place.

2. WHAT SHOULD I BRING TO THE POLLS?
BRING ID. Not every state requires ID but it’s a good idea to bring ID just in case. For a complete listing of what kinds of ID are accepted in your state, call: 1-866-OUR-VOTE or log on to govote.org.
You should BRING YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS!! This election will be made even more historic if we urge all of our friends and family who are registered to go to the polls with us.

3. WHAT SHOULD I DO IF THE LINE IS LONG?
The reality is the lines probably will be long. But that’s a good thing. To stand among the many of us who have never voted before who are waiting to be counted and heard is your chance to be a part of history.

• If Early Vote exists in your state, then VOTE EARLY. To check where to do Early Vote in your state: call 1-866-OUR-VOTE.
• If you are voting on November 4, vote as early in the day as you can.
• If you need to make arrangements for childcare, to eat, to take a couple of hours from work, then do so.
• Most states require employers to provide time for employees to vote on Election Day. While they vary in each state, they generally require time off for employees if the polls are not open two or three hours outside of your regular shift. You may have to request that time so make that part of your plan! For more information, go to: justvote08.org.
• Dress appropriately for long wait. You don’t want to say you couldn’t wait to vote because your feet hurt. Don’t wear campaign paraphernalia; if you do you might have to turn it inside out or cover it up to walk into the polls.
• Please do not leave the line until you have cast your ballot. If you are in line when the polls close, you can remain in line until you vote.

4. WHAT DO I DO IF I NEED HELP VOTING?
If you have language issue, or you have a disability, you are allowed to bring someone into the voting booth with you. If you have questions, ask your poll worker or call: 1-866-OUR-VOTE.

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Subject: DON'T WEAR OBAMA PARAPHENALIA TO VOTE!! IT'S AGAINST THE LAW!!

Regardless of your candidate this is important information. With the number of younger voters this will be an issue.

Please get this information out to everyone you know! "The people perish for lack of knowledge!"

"DO NOT" wear any OBAMA Paraphernalia to the Voting Polls!!!!

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE ADVISE EVERYONE YOU KNOW THAT THEY ABSOLUTELY CAN NOT GO TO THE POLLS WEARING ANY OBAMA SHIRTS, PINS OR HATS, IT IS AGAINST THE LAW AND WILL BE GROUNDS TO HAVE THE POLLING OFFICIALS TO TURN YOU AWAY. THAT IS CONSIDERED CAMPAIGNING AND NO ONE CAN CAMPAIGN WITHIN 100 FEET TO THE POLLS. THEY'RE BANKING ON US BEING EXCITED AND NOT BEING AWARE OF THIS LONG STANDING LAW THAT YOU CAN BET WILL BE ENFORCED THIS YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THEY ARE HOPING THAT IF YOU ARE TURNED AWAY YOU WILL NOT GO HOME, CHANGE YOUR CLOTHES AND COME BACK IN TIME TO VOTE.. PLEASE JUST DON'T WEAR OBAMA GEAR OF ANY SORTS TO THE POLLS!! PLEASE SHARE THIS INFORMATION, OH AND FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO WERE ALRE ADY AWARE, THIS WAS NOT MEANT TO INSULT YOUR INTELLIGENCE. JUST TRYING TO COVER ALL GROUNDS.

FROM THE CALIFORNIA SECRETARY OF STATE VOTER FRAUD PROTECTION HANDBOOK:

When I went into my polling booth, I noticed a little pencil with a candidate's name on it urging voters to be sure and mark the box for him. Can they do that?

No, it is illegal to have items with a candidate's name on them in the polling place. This constitutes electioneering and any electioneering must be conducted a minimum of 100 feet from the place where people are voting. Sometimes, a voter inadvertently leaves such materials in the voting booth. (EC §18370)

A lady working at my polling place last Election Day was wearing a T-shirt that said "Down with Liberals" on it. Can she wear that?

Because such a t-shirt doesn't actually advocate voting for or against a particular candidate or measure, it's not considered electioneering. If the shirt had a statement for or against something or someone on the ballot, it would not be allowed within 100 feet of the polls. If the elections official is aware of the situation, he or she will likely request that the woman cover it up or change into something that does not cause the slightest appearance of partisanship. (EC §18370, 18541, 18546)

Comments: Laws against campaigning or "electioneering" in and around polling places are pretty much universal, though each state boasts its own specific regulations and varying degrees of enforcement.

The majority of states use language prohibiting voters and poll workers from "distributing," "circulating," "posting," or "exhibiting" campaign materials within 10 to 200 feet of polling places. This is sometimes interpreted as including buttons, t-shirts, hats, and other political garb (often called "passive electioneering"), but is more often restricted to signs, posters, fliers, pamphlets, and the like.

At least 10 states -- Delaware, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, New Jersey, New York, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Vermont -- explicitly prohibit the wearing of pins, buttons, stickers, labels, or other "political insignia."

Passive electioneering in Pennsylvania

The timing, specificity, and emphatic tone of this email suggest it was prompted by recent events in Pennsylvania, where the interpretation of a law prohibiting electioneering has long been left up to individual counties, resulting in its inconsistent application across the state. After citizens in some localities complained that they were prevented from voting or were asked to remove articles of clothing because they wore political-themed buttons or t-shirts, the ACLU requested a clarification of the law.

In response, Pennsylvania elections commissioner Chet Harhut sent a memo to county elections boards in September 2008 declaring that wearing buttons or t-shirts is not sufficient grounds to prevent anyone from voting. However, the law still leaves it largely to the discretion of local officials, some of whom have stated they will not change their criteria.

At last report, the Republican Party was petitioning the state to enforce a statewide ban on passive electioneering. The Democratic Party declined to join the effort.

Voters should check local regulations

There's room to debate the constitutionality of such restrictions, but right or wrong they are currently the law in some parts of the country, so it behooves individual voters to familiarize themselves with the regulations of their own states and act accordingly.

Contact your state or local elections board for specific guidelines. If in doubt, leave the campaign paraphernalia at home.