Voter Protection in New York State and Beyond--November 4th

Today I spent the day in training to be a poll watcher on November 4th, Election Day. We were a group of lawyers, and will be assigned to voting precincts where there are newly registered voters, mostly Democrats, whose new registrations might be challenged.

First, I wanted to share with you the New York State Voters' Bill of Rights, written by The New York Democratic Lawyers Council. This information is available for download at the New York Democratic Lawyers Council, on the right hand side of the home webpage.

Anyone in New York State can check to see if s/he is registered and where to vote by going to the official New York elections webpage.

Polling places are not changed this close to the election! Do not be fooled by flyers and robocalls that might say otherwise.

The ACLU has a state by state voting guide to assist with voting regulations that have been implemented since the federal government passed HAVA--Help America Vote Act--another example of Bush sponsored legislation that does exactly the opposite of what it seems to mandate.

Or you can check out the rumors portion of the Obama site.

Let's get to the New York specifics:

1. First time voters do not have to show identification unless it says "ID required" next to your name in the registration book at your voting place. However, bring ID just in case.
2. New York accepts as ID: current and valid photo ID; current utility bill or copy; bank statement; government check, paycheck, or document from a government entity indicating your name and address.
3. You have the right to vote even if challenged by a poll watcher or poll inspector by machine or by affidavit ballot.
4. If your name is not in the registration book, have them check to make sure there haven't been spelling or transposition issues. Also, have the election officials check to make sure that your current address is actually assigned to this voting place. Your affidavit ballot will not count if you are at the wrong voting place. The election officials have to tell you whether you are at the right place based on your address. Also have the election officials check the back of the book to make sure that late registration voters were not added in supplemental alphabetical lists.
   
5. If you are in foreclosure and haven't yet established a new residence, you may vote in the voting place where your former home is located.
6. You are entitled to time off from work to vote if there is not a four hour period before or after work in which you can vote.
7. Under New York law, you may not wear a campaign button into the protected zone around the polling places.
   
8. You have the right to vote so long as you are on line or in the voting place by 9:00 pm on Election Day. The poll must stay open to accommodate you.