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Volunteer attorneys, other watch dogs will monitor polling sites to safeguard voters' rights

Jackie Valley
Jackie Valley
Election 2018IndyBlog
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Increased interest in this year’s midterm elections has prompted the ACLU of Nevada and other voting rights organizations to launch a nonpartisan election protection program.

The goal is to make sure eligible voters can cast ballots without any interference. The ACLU of Nevada, Silver State Voices, Common Cause and the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights are working together on the program.

Volunteer attorneys and other watch dogs will be monitoring polling sites across the state and answering phone calls at ACLU of Nevada offices to safeguard voters’ rights. Officials from participating organizations said voters should keep an eye out for long lines, voter intimidation tactics, malfunctioning voting machines, unnecessary requests to check ID cards or other activities that might impede a person’s right to vote.

“Even problems that seem relatively small can turn into issues of voter suppression if they are not dealt with quickly,” Amy Rose, the legal director for ACLU of Nevada, said in a statement.

The nonpartisan election protection program typically exists during presidential election years, but the organizations saw a need this cycle as well given the increased attention the midterms are receiving.

“This year, Nevada saw an unprecedented wave of newly registered voters,” Emily Zamora, executive director of Silver State Voices, said in a statement. “It is our objective to ensure that every Nevadan regardless of socioeconomic status, gender identity, race, religion, or sexual orientation is able to participate in their democracy by exercising their right to vote.”

To report voting-related incidents, call the Election Protection Hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE or the Spanish line at 888-VE-Y-VOTA.

Early voting ends Friday. Election Day is Tuesday.

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