To this 12-step guide I would add two points:
1. Early voting really won't enable the protection of your vote, as
you are likely to
be voting on the same corrupt machinery, or to have your ballot counted by the
same corrupt machinery, that's used on E-Day proper. Also, all those voters who
vote early will mean that many fewer voters in the turnout on Election Day--
and we need a record-breaker, to make yet another theft that much
more inexplicable.
So if you do vote early, try to turn out on Election Day as well--not
to vote, of course,
but just to be there to enlarge the crowd, and also to help keep an
eyes on things.
(And if you have a problem with the machinery--a problem that you can
perceive--
be sure to report it, by calling 1-866-OUR-VOTE, or telling the
election protection
people, or the videothevote team, assuming that they're there.)
2. I would add to these 12 points that you should not wear your Obama
hats or t-shirts
or buttons or whatever to the polls. In some states it's illegal
("electioneering"), while
in others, where it's legal, you can run into a partisan poll worker
who will say that
it's illegal and attempt to disenfranchise you.
MCM
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12 Ways You Can Safeguard the Vote
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RESOURCES
Are you worried that we will wake up November 5th to find that, once
again, election results in key races are in question? Here's what you
can do.
These recommendations from the staff at
<http://www.yesmagazine.org/default.asp?ID=254&utm_source=oct08vote&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=7_YES>YES!
Magazine are simple ways you can protect your own vote-and the
fairness of the system, based on the recommendations of leading
voting integrity advocates.
Please
<http://www.yesmagazine.org/newsletters/newsletter_forward.asp?Issue=oct08vote&utm_source=oct08vote&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=8_txtFwd>forward
this checklist to others to help make our election system work.
BEFORE ELECTION DAY
1. Check your registration. Even if you think you're registered, you
may not be. Check online at <http://www.CanIVote.org>www.CanIVote.org.
2. Vote now. Check if <http://knowhowtovote.us/>early voting is
possible in your state. If you're voting by mail, check carefully
where you need to sign, how to seal the envelope, and how to mark the
ballot. And note: Some ballots require extra postage.
3. Practice your vote. Electronic voting machines can be difficult to
use. <http://verifiedvoting.org/>Verifiedvoting.org is preparing
links to video demos of how to vote on the machine you will find at
your polling station. If you'll be using a paper ballot, check out
the sample included in your voter pamphlet.
4. Find out who's in charge. Make a phone list of your county and
state
<https://www.overseasvotefoundation.org/overseas/home.htm>election
officials-it may save valuable time on Election Day if you need to
get registration verification or other information.
ON ELECTION DAY
5. Vote early. Avoid the frustration of long lines. Also, if you
encounter problems, you'll have time to sort them out and may be able
to help others.
6. Take your government-issued ID and your cell phone, if you have
one. If you have problems, or see problems, call a hotline
immediately (see point #9). You may not need ID to vote, but it's
best to have it. If you have trouble with your registration, ask for
a provisional ballot.
7. Avoid Straight Party Voting, if it's an option in your state. Vote
for each race individually, even if it takes a little longer.
8. Verify your vote. If you're voting on an electronic voting
machine, check the review screen to make sure it reflects your vote.
If the machine produces a paper record, check as you go along that
everything is working correctly. If not, speak to a polling
attendant-don't leave until you're sure your vote has been properly
recorded.
9. Document and report. If you encounter difficulties, or see others
experiencing difficulties (excessive lines, voter harassment,
malfunctioning machines, etc.), make a detailed record. Get all the
facts you can-location, names, specific problem.
The best way to report problems is to call 1-866-OUR-VOTE
(1-866-687-8683), which has volunteer lawyers in 15 locations
standing by to provide rapid-response assistance. You can also
contact your party of choice. We have more suggestions
<http://www.yesmagazine.org/default.asp?ID=254&utm_source=oct08vote&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=9_docprobs>here.
AFTER ELECTION DAY
10. Call your candidate. If there are questions about an election
result, urge your candidate to ask for an audit. Ask how you can help.
11. Call your election officials. If you have concerns, let your
county and state election officials know, and monitor their response.
Ask them not to certify the election before all challenges and
recounts are finished. And send a copy of your message to your local
newspaper editor. If you're confident about the election result,
thank the officials for a difficult job well done.
INTO THE FUTURE
12. Work for fair, transparent elections. 66% of Americans don't
trust the electronic voting machines many of us will be voting on
this November. Join the movement for election reform in between
elections. Use our
<http://www.yesmagazine.org/default.asp?ID=254&utm_source=oct08vote&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=10_YEStools>YES!
Tools to find out how.
Yours for democracy,
Fran Korten
Publisher, YES! Magazine
<http://www.yesmagazine.org/?utm_source=oct08vote&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=11_www>www.yesmagazine.org
Read more about the key issues we'll be voting on in the
<http://www.yesmagazine.org/47prom/fti47_Vote.asp?utm_source=oct08vote&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=12_PAmer>Purple
America issue of YES! Magazine.
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