2008 Election
Election Protection 2008 will be the largest program to date. The coalition will not only target up to 35 states in November, but has also run a limited program for numerous primaries, including the February 5, 2008 “Mega Tuesday” primary, the February 12th “Potomac” primary, the March 4th primary for Texas, Ohio, Rhode Island, and Vermont, and will run a program for the April 22nd primary in Pennsylvania.
Working with its Board members and pro bono network, the Lawyers’ Committee will recruit diverse networks of volunteer attorneys to respond to problems throughout the election process. Updated legal manuals and voters’ Bills of Rights will be created for all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The 866-OUR-VOTE national voter hotline will again be available to assist voters across the country throughout the registration process, early voting, and on Election Day.
Leading up to Election Day 2008, Election Protection legal volunteers, through our local Legal Committees, will meet with election officials to learn about the implementation of laws and regulations, support voter registration efforts, coordinate the legal and grassroots programs, and help educate voters about their rights. On Election Day, volunteer attorneys, law students, and paralegals will help staff local call centers (where applicable), monitor polling sites, serve as Mobile Legal Volunteers to respond to immediate issues, and coordinate the legal field program in the local Legal Command Center.
Local Election Protection Efforts
Election Protection will also include local Election Protection efforts, led by local Legal Committees (LCs). Lead law firms, members of state, local and minority bar associations, law students, media professionals, grassroots organizers and others will comprise the LCs. These networks, supported by organizational, advisory, and logistical assistance from the Lawyers’ Committee, will develop a multi-faceted Election Protection program to include both pre-Election Day and Election Day activities. Pre-Election Day activities include meeting with election officials, reaching out to the media, supporting grassroots organizations, updating materials, filing necessary litigation and preparing for Election Day, such as recruiting and training volunteers for the hotline and on the ground efforts. Election Day activities include continued outreach to the media and election officials (as needed), organizing and coordinating the on-the-ground efforts (Mobile Legal Volunteers and Poll Monitors), possibly hosting a local call center of the hotline, responding to problems as they arise, and filing litigation if necessary.
Targeted States
Election Protection will run programs in about 35 states in 2008, covering primaries in certain states and the general election in November. Many states will receive direct support and resources from the Lawyers' Committee and national partners, while other states will receive more indirect support and consulting from national staff and partners.
Voting Rights Materials
There will be materials on election laws for all 50 states and the District of Columbia, including state election law manuals, state voters’ Bill of Rights, state specific Frequently Asked Questions, state voter registration guides, and other necessary documents that support our partners’ efforts. These materials provide a valuable guide for legal volunteers and are a great resource for voters.
National Election Protection Hotline (1-866-OUR VOTE)
As with previous Election Protection programs, the national voter hotline (1-866-OUR-VOTE), staffed by volunteer lawyers, paralegals, and law students, will be operational on Election Day and for approximately 3 months before in order to support registration and other efforts. The hotline call centers will be housed in Washington, D.C., New York, and California, with some localities housing call centers as well.
Pro Bono Assistance Needed
The Lawyers’ Committee, and its coalition partners, seeks the pro bono assistance of lawyers, law firms, bar associations, and corporate legal departments with the many aspects of Election Protection 2008. Assistance is needed with local Legal Committees; staffing and hosting the national voter hotline; and preparing materials. Individual law firms and corporate legal departments may volunteer for one or all of the above. For additional information regarding Election Protection, please contact Nancy Anderson, Pro Bono Counsel, at nanderson@lawyerscomm.org or 202-662-8354.
