Discuss this in our online forums

Neighborhood VoteWatch is a way for us all to make sure that our votes--and each others votes--count. If the Secretaries of State won't do their jobs, it's up to us.

Neighborhood Watch has been a fantastically effective way for community members to look out for each other--and therefore the entire community.

Highly-trained legal representatives can't be everywhere to watch that the election goes over the way it should. In fact, some Secretaries of state are doing everything they can to make sure watchdogs are not around. Scary, huh?

Well, remember the buddy system back in school? Watch the person next to you and the person in front of you and make sure everyone comes back from the outing OK.

Here, we do the same for election day. Watch the person next to you and the person in front of you to make sure that their votes are counted and that they're not disenfranchised. Download our checklists and your state's Voter's Bill of Rights and take it with you to the polls.

Also, be aware of this new Republican dirty trick and how to get around it.

GET FREE NEIGHBORHOOD VOTEWATCH BADGES, PRINTS & INFO

Download our template to print out FREE NEIGHBORHOOD VOTEWATCH Badges and Window Prints for you, your family, and friends. It's a visible reminder to everyone that we are taking our election rights seriously and are looking out for each other.

Download your VOTER'S BILL OF RIGHTS guides from your state and your VOTER EMPOWERMENT GUIDE for your state.

Download the NEIGHBORHOOD VOTEWATCH BADGE template or WINDOW PRINT (Adobe pdf) to print your own badges or stickers (Avery 5264 works perfectly for the badges or use a letter-size sheet of sticker paper and cut it).

FIVE TIPS TO REMEMBER

1. Everyone in the country who is registered to vote is entitled to vote on a regular or provisional ballot, with details varying state to state.

2. Find out in advance where your polling place is; you'll do the most to make sure your vote counts by being in the right place. Encourage your friends and family to do the same.

3. Vote early in the day, or if your state allows early voting, vote early, so if there are any problems you have time to sort them out. Encourage your friends and family to do the same.

4. At least for all newly registered voters, bring a government or institution issued ID, with your name and address on it. It doesn't have to be a photo ID but a photo ID is best, such as a driver's license, passport, or state or school ID card. THEY MUST HAVE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS ON THEM. Other acceptable but less preferable forms of ID are bank statements, utilitiy bills, and the like.

5. Familiarize yourself with the sample ballot available in your district. Know the system of voting for your district

MAKE FRIENDS WITH YOUR NEIGHBORS

Say hello the the people in front and next to or behind you (your 'buddies'). Introduce yourself. Ask them if they are sure they are in the correct polling place, and if they are familiar with the method of voting used in your polling place. Ask if they need assistance or information. Help them or direct them to a helpful pollworker, if the pollworkers are helpful. Ask if this is their first time voting or not. Let them know if they need assistance with anything, you'll help out if they like.

Remember: Most states will let you (or your buddy) get at least one new ballot if you made mistakes on yours. Don't suffer the fate of the dimpled chads. Start fresh if you have to.

IF YOU SEE A PROBLEM

If you notice someone having trouble with the pollworkers, or being turned away, or worse, intimidated by anyone, step in. Don't let even ONE vote be turned away. (Remember Florida? 534 votes would have made a world of difference).

Offer your assistance to the voter. If they are in the wrong polling place, offer to help them find the correct one. Tell them about the ELECTION PROTECTION HOTLINE and offer to take them to a phone, lend them your cellphone, or whatever is required to help them get their vote counted. THIS IS WHAT WILL WIN THE ELECTION. Community.

If you have any concerns, call the Election Protection Hotline toll-free at 1-866-OUR VOTE (866-687-8683). Lawyers will be standing by to provide immediate, on-the-spot assistance.

Receive bilingual voting assistance at 1-888-Ve-Y-Vota (1-888-839-8682), sponsored by the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials, Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund, National Council of La Raza, and Univision.

Voting assistance in several Asian languages is available at 1-800-966-5946, the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund's National Voter Complaint Hotline.

Know Your Rights!

Download your “Voter’s Bill of Rights.” Print a copy for a friend, too!
Understand your rights and responsibilities on Election Day -- download a Voter Empowerment Card specific to your state.

If you believe that you are registered to vote, but your name does not appear on the rolls on Election Day, you have the right to a provisional ballot. However, laws and policies regarding how provisional ballots will be counted vary considerably. Make sure you are told what the FREE ACCESS system is for your provisional ballot; it will let you check to see that your vote has been counted. Polling places are required by law to give you a means of checking whether your vote was counted. Don't leave without it.

Voters with limited English proficiency and those with disabilities have the right to bring a family member or friend into the polling booth to assist them. Voters in some jurisdictions have the right to bilingual voter assistance.

Take steps to ensure that a vote cast on a paperless direct recording electronic (DRE) voting machine or paper optical scan system will not be lost.

Your state may give employees the right to take time off of work on Election Day to vote find out.

Know When & Where to Vote

The General Election is November 2, 2004. The locations of polling places in each community are determined by state and local election officials. Plan ahead -- find your polling place and hours.

Some states allow early voting. For more information on early voting deadlines, contact your Secretary of State.

Request an absentee ballot.

Know What to Expect at the Polls

You may be asked to provide identification. State laws vary so play it safe by bringing your ID.

Know which candidates and issues will be on your ballot, and learn more about them before you vote.

Use an interactive map to learn which voting system (e.g. optical scan, direct recording electronic (DRE), punchcards, mechanical lever machines, and paper ballots) will be used to record your votes this November.

Some information here sourced from CivilRights.org