Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law & Election Protection Hotline (866-OUR-VOTE) To Take Calls LIVE During National Voter Registration Day

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SEPTEMBER 26, 2017

Washington, D.C. – Today, Election Protection – the nation’s largest nonpartisan voter protection coalition led by the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law – will join hundreds of organizations across the country in a national effort to register people to vote for National Voter Registration Day.

To support national, state and local partners’ efforts to register voters, the nationwide nonpartisan Election Protection (EP) hotline, 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683), will be answering calls in real time from 9:00am to 7:00pm EDT, verifying voters’ registration status and helping them navigate the voter registration process. In addition to registration-related assistance, our trained volunteers will be available to answer a wide range of voting questions from voter ID, to language assistance resources.

“The importance of voter registration cannot be overstated. In the face of an administration determined to take away the right to vote for millions of Americans, the work of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law to inform citizens of their voting rights and to protect those rights is even more pressing,” said Kristen Clarke, president and executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. “An informed electorate gives way to increased participation. This National Voter Registration Day, we encourage the public to contact 866-OUR-VOTE with any voting-related questions, and above all, to register to vote so that your voice can be heard.”

While trained volunteers are available tonswer questions on National Voter Registration Day and on Election Day, Election Protection works year-round to support efforts to expand the franchise. Election Protection utilizes field monitors and voter education, and it relies on an expansive network of national partners and state advocates to respond to any questions or concerns voters may have. In 2016 alone, Election Protection received over 118,000 calls from voters from around the country.

The 866-OUR-VOTE Election Protection hotline will be answered live today, September 26, 2017 from 9:00 AM-7:00 PM EDT. Voters are encouraged to call 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) for voting-related questions or problems. For assistance in Spanish, we invite callers to dial 888-VE-Y-VOTA (888-839-8682); for assistance in Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Urdu, Hindi, or Bengali, dial 888-API-VOTE (888-274-8683).

About the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law:

The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, was formed in 1963 at the request of President John F. Kennedy to involve the private bar in providing legal services to address racial discrimination. Now in its 54^th year, the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law is continuing its quest “Move America Toward Justice.” The principal mission of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law is to secure, through the rule of law, equal justice for all, particularly in the areas of criminal justice, fair housing and community development, economic justice, educational opportunities, and voting rights.

About Election Protection:

Election Protection is the nation’s largest nonpartisan voter protection coalition, led by the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. Through its suite of hotlines, including the 866-OUR-VOTE hotline (866-687-8683) administered by the Lawyers’ Committee, 888-VE-Y-VOTA (888-839-8682) administered by NALEO Educational Fund, 888-API-VOTE (888-273-8683) administered by APIAVote and Asian Americans Advancing Justice-AAJC and a dedicated team of trained legal and grassroots volunteers, Election Protection helps all American voters, including traditionally disenfranchised groups, gain access to the polls and overcome obstacles to voting. The coalition has more than 100 partners—including Advancement Project, Asian American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Brennan Center for Justice, Common Cause, League of Women Voters of the United States, NAACP, National Bar Association, National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, State Voices, Rock the Vote and Verified Voting Foundation—at the national, state and local levels and provides voter protection services nationwide. For more information about Election Protection and the 866-OUR-VOTE hotline, please visit www.866ourvote.org.