Make sure your vote counts; Volunteer now

Nov. 2, 2006 - The AFL-CIO and OCSEA District 6, in conjunction with the Ohio Voter Protection Coalition, are gathering union members to volunteer outside of polls on Tuesday, Nov. 7.

All over the state, these volunteers will be able to reach out to attorneys who will be standing by to offer legal assistance.

If you can't volunteer, there's still something you can do to protect our votes: Know your rights.

And, if you need help on Election Day, be sure to look for the volunteers (wearing green vests) standing outside of your polling location or call 1-866-OUR-OHIO (1-866-687-6446).

Finally, review the Ohio Voters' Bill of Rights below.

Voter Bill of Rights

You have the right to vote:

• Without being intimidated or discriminated against.
• If you are in line when the polls close at 7:30 p.m., even if you won’t vote until after 7:30 p.m.
• If you make a mistake on your ballot. (You may request up to two more ballots.)

You will be asked to present a valid ID:

• Valid ID includes any of the following, as long as it shows your name and current address: driver’s license, state ID, military ID, paycheck, government document (other than a Board of Elections notice), current bank statement or utility bill.
• If you do not have your ID with you, if at all possible, go home and get your ID so you can cast a regular ballot.
• If you cannot provide ID, you can vote on a provisional ballot. Then you will have 10 days to go to the Board of Elections office and provide ID.

Your vote WILL NOT COUNT if you vote in the wrong precinct:

• Ask where the correct precinct is. It may be in the same building or at another table in the same room.
• If an election official cannot tell you what and where the correct precinct is, ask the poll monitors outside wearing green vests or call 1-866-OUR-OHIO (1-866-687-6446).
• If your correct precinct is in another location, go there and vote on a regular ballot. If you need transportation, ask the poll monitors outside wearing green vests or call 1-866-OUR-OHIO (1-866-687-6446).

If you are not on the voting rolls:

• Have the poll worker verify that your address is in the precinct.
• If it is, and you are registered to vote, ask for a provisional ballot.

If you’ve changed your name and/or moved:

• Within the precinct: You have the right to cast a regular ballot after you fill out a change of address/name form.

• To a new precinct: You have the right to cast a provisional ballot in your new precinct after you fill out a change-of-address form.

If you are challenged while voting:

• Show your ID to the poll worker.
• You will be questioned about whether you are 18 years of age, a U.S. citizen, a resident of Ohio for 30 days or a resident of the precinct.
• If that happens, you may be asked to verify this information under oath.
• The election officials will decide the challenge and determine how you vote.
• If they dismiss the challenge, you should vote using a regular ballot.
• If they decide the challenge is valid, you should be given a provisional ballot. If you are not given such a ballot, ask for one.
• Follow the instructions of the election offi cials.
• If you have questions, ask a poll monitor outside the polling place or call 1-866-OUR-OHIO (1-866-687-6446).
• After you have voted, report what occurred to a monitor outside the polling place or call 1-866-OUR-OHIO (1-866-687-6446).

VOTE: It’s Your Right

If you need help on Election Day, call 1-866-OUR-OHIO (1-866-687-6446)

Source: Ohio Voter Protection Coalition / AFL-CIO