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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Voter Assistance Hotline Up and Running in Georgia 10am Press Conference Thursday at State Capitol Highlights Election Day Effort
With less than two weeks left until the election, Election Protection officials will discuss what they've learned from the more than 1,300 calls received since launching the 1-866-OUR-VOTE voter assistance hotline and their plans leading up to and including Election Day.
ATLANTA-On October 23 at 10 a.m., Election Protection will hold a news conference launching the countdown to Election Day and outlining efforts in Georgia through November 4th. Following its successful work in February's primary elections, Election Protection is continuing its nonpartisan Know Your Rights/Election Protection Program. Election Protection is committed to mounting a voter assistance and education effort in 2008 to ensure voters know their rights and are able to cast a ballot that counts on Election Day. On Tuesday, November 4th (Election Day), a toll-free hotline (1-866-OUR-VOTE) will be staffed by trained volunteers at an Atlanta law firm to provide voters with free assistance if they encounter any trouble voting at the polls. In addition, more than 600 trained poll monitors and mobile legal volunteers will focus on key precincts in Bibb, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton and Gwinnett counties on Election Day. You'll be able to identify all Election Protection volunteers at the polls by their black and white t-shirts with the logo: "You Have the Right to Vote. Contact 1- 866-OUR-VOTE." A press conference will held be in the North Wing of the State Capitol on Thursday, October 23, 2008 to discuss the initiative. Speakers include: Sarah Shalf, Georgia Election Protection will address the hotline and the need for more volunteers Rev. Timothy McDonald, First Iconium Baptist Church & Founder, African American Ministers Leadership Council will address problems voters have encountered in the past and present Mark Henderson, Fulton County Voter Education Coordinator will address Advanced Voting & Expected Turnout
Election Protection Press Conference Thursday, October 23, 2008 10 a.m. North Wing , Georgia State Capitol More volunteers are needed. To learn more go to ww.ElectionProtectionGA.org Volunteers must attend a two-hour training session. Four trainings will be held: Thursday, Oct 23, from 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm John Marshall Law School , 1422 West Peachtree St., NW , Room 301, Atlanta 30309 Saturday, Oct. 25, from 12 pm - 2pm Auburn Ave. Research Library, 101 Auburn Ave. , 4th floor Auditorium, Atlanta 30303 Monday October 27 and Thursday October 30 630pm - 8:30pm Sutherland, 999 Peachtree St. NE , Courtroom 28th floor, Atlanta , 30309 The press is welcome to cover all trainings. Please contact Clare Schexnyder for access at 404.310.1028. A command center and statewide hotline (1-866-OUR-VOTE) to provide voters with free legal help will be staffed by volunteers from 6:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. on Election Day. The hotline and command center are located at Kilpatrick and Stockton law firm located at 1100 Peachtree St. in Atlanta . If you'd like to cover our hotline and command center, please contact Clare Schexnyder at 404-310-1028 to gain access. The Election Protection Program provides voter information and assistance, expert legal help and poll monitors to help voters understand their rights when problems arise. Election Protection targets historically disenfranchised communities, including Hispanic, African-American and low-income communities, by providing these voters with key information and advice. Election Protection is the nation's most ambitious non-partisan program for preventing Election Day disenfranchisement. The coalition of state and national allies seeks to ensure that every eligible voter casts a ballot that counts on Election Day. For more information about Election Protection, please visit www.866ourvote.org or www.electionprotectionga.org |
