The ACLU of Minnesota is taking concerted action today to protect voting rights and ensure every vote is counted, and to reassure Minnesotans that delayed results are not a cause for alarm.
As part of a broad, ongoing campaign to engage and mobilize historically disenfranchised voters across the state, ACLU-MN staff, volunteers and organizers today will be in the field to protect voting rights and election results by:
Partnering with the 866-OUR-VOTE hotline to flag and respond to voter issues, including potential voter intimidation. Other ACLU-MN attorneys are standing by to respond rapidly to any issues.
Working with several other nonpartisan organizations to post outdoor poll monitors across the state to look for instances of voter intimidation, suppression, long lines or other observable problems.
Distributing voter education materials to voters in Twin Cities’ polling places – and across the state via social media – to inform them about their rights at the polls and reassure them about delayed election results.
“Minnesota has a long history of conducting free and fair elections, and we’re expecting that history to be reflected today,” said ACLU-MN Chief Programs Officer Ben Feist. “At the same time, voters are aware that voter intimidation and disinformation are a nationwide concern. Minnesota voters can be confident that they have both the protection of law and the weight of the ACLU behind them when they assert their precious right to vote.”
The ACLU-MN urges the public to be patient as we wait to learn election results. Because of COVID-19, a record number of Minnesotans have cast absentee ballots. These can take longer to process, and several states won’t start counting these ballots until the polls close. Add in coronavirus precautions to protect election workers, and it’s likely some results won’t arrive until after Election Night, especially nationally.
“In past years, voting results have come in during the waning hours of Election Day,” said ACLU-MN Executive Director John Gordon. “This year, with COVID-19, we’re preparing for Election Week – or maybe Election Month. With so many of us voting from home, the results will almost certainly be delayed. That just demonstrates our commitment to counting every vote and shows that our democracy is hard at work.”
Voters who experience issues or witness intimidation at the polls should call the voter protection hotline at 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683).
The ACLU of Minnesota is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that defends the civil liberties of all Minnesotans through litigation, lobbying and community engagement.
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