IN 2008, GET OFF THE DEFENSE AND GO ON THE OFFENSE
Those most likely to be targeted for disenfranchisement will be the traditional vote suppression targets: youth, new voters, ethnic minorities, senior citizens, independent and non-affiliated voters.
In 2008, proact, don't react: Go get not only confirmation that you are registered, but DOCUMENTATION. Keep copies of all correspondence from voter registration offices. Consider visiting the elections office, request to see a copy of your voter registration card, get a photocopy.
Be prepared to hit the media and the Internet with proof of disenfranchisement tactics. Document that you are registered -- get proof, in the form of a copy of the paper record or at the very least, a screen shot of the Internet confirmation on your state or county web site (many states and counties now allow you to check your registration online).
Before the election, check to match up the exact spelling of your name on your ID with the way it appears in your voter registration record (again, you can find this online). Some states knock voters off the rolls by mismatching the spellings. Go on the offense. Go check this stuff AHEAD OF TIME and if you find a problem, report it because it will certainly affect others as well.
Go to the polls with voter registration ammunition. WHETHER OR NOT your state requires identification, bring all you've got, and pay special attention to government issued IDs with photos. Whether or not ID is required, come armed to the teeth with ID so there can be no excuse. Keep, and bring, copies of documents indicating you are registered. Why? Because every election we see certain elections officials using the "oops" excuse, pretending they didn't know. Every election we get reports of advocates who have to step in and literally read the letter of the law to balky officials. Don't hope someone will happen to be there to go to bat for you. Go in to vote loaded with evidence so there can be no question that you are allowed to vote, and if they still make you vote "provisional" take your evidence public.
And if you are pushed onto the provisional rolls, expose the disenfranchisement by disseminating your evidence of registration along with the refusal to let you vote a first class ballot.
If we've learned anything by now, it's that political operatives don't play fair. Be ready for dirty tricks and have your next move ready: Proof, and consequences, and if these actions are talked about enough, we may get something even better: Deterrence.
Bev Harris
Founder - Black Box Voting - BlackBoxVoting.org
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