NAACP Monitors Voting Problems Nationwide

NAACP
Voting Status Update

Dear Friend,

It's Election Day, and our Election Protection hotline has been ringing since the minute the polls opened. As of 10am, over 12,000 reports have been logged. Most of the reports involve faulty or inadequate voting equipment and polling place issues, but we have also logged 115 incidents nationally of voter intimidation

In Virginia, where the NAACP filed a lawsuit to keep the polls open longer, we are seeing several problems. More groups are joining the call to keep the polls open two hours later tonight. There are reports of massive voting machine failures, over two dozen precincts opening late, people being turned away, and voter intimidation.

In Michigan we have received calls about malfunctioning voter machines in at least ten precincts, causing extremely long waits. Unfortunately, the waits are causing some people to give up and get out of line. We will continue to monitor the situation in Michigan throughout the day.

And in Florida, we've just received a slew of reports about broken optical scanners and extremely long lines. We also just received a call that absentee ballots were not received at a rehab center for elderly residents.

We'll be here at the Command Center all day to respond to voting problems in real time. In addition, the NAACP has trained poll monitors strategically placed across the country to monitor 750 precincts where there has been a history of discrimination, and the NAACP Voter Relief team is driving between polling places in the Baltimore/DC/Virginia area offering coffee, water, and snacks to the voters standing in long lines.

And if you haven't voted yet, get out there and make your voice heard!

Sincerely,

Kirk Clay
Director of Civic Engagement

UPDATE:

We're here at the NAACP Command Center, where calls are still coming in from people who are having difficulty casting their vote. The 866-OUR-VOTE hotline has taken over 32,000 calls so far today from across the country, reporting long lines, inadequate staffing or materials, and at least 400 incidents of voter intimidation.

Of particular concern today is the youth vote, as so many of our young people are participating in their first election. But many could fall victim to a text message circulating in an attempt to suppress their votes. The text message reads: "Due to long lines today, all Obama voters are asked to vote on Wednesday. Thank you for your cooperation."

We are also concerned about the continuing issues coming out of Virginia, where extremely long lines and potential ballot shortages may make it difficult for many Virginians to cast their vote.

Election Protection volunteers are working with officials across the country to find solutions to these and other problems that are popping up as we move into the evening, often the busiest time for the polls. There is some good news, too. Election Protection officials have been able to work with precincts to make the wait times shorter for folks, and to insure that the elderly and disabled are accommodated.

If you haven't already, please get to the polls and cast your vote. And if you have a problem voting we'll be here, please call us at 866-OUR-VOTE.

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