Poll monitors needed in CO, FL, OH, and NM on Nov. 2

[intheflow]

Friends,

I've signed up to be a poll monitor on Nov. 2nd in Colorado for the non-partisan, national group, Election Protection. Today they sent me this email saying they needed more volunteers to monitor in key states.

If you're interested and able to do it, here's what they sent me to pass along to you:

Key states need you!

Join me and thousands of other citizens who want to make sure that every registered voter is allowed to vote and that every vote counts. We all remember what happened during the 2000 election and we need to make sure it doesn’t happen again. The Election Protection partnership needs your help – especially in Florida, Ohio, Colorado and New Mexico.

Volunteer today to at http://www.ElectionProtection.org .

[CrispyQ]

1. Forgive my ignorance, but

is a poll monitor different than an election judge?

[PretzelWarrior]

2. help out. what is a poll monitor? educate us?

thanks in advance

[intheflow]

4. Great question -- Yes!

Election judges get to go in the buildings while people vote, and they work for the state or county (which means, they get paid).

Poll monitors (as I understand it, this is my first time doing it) are volunteers who basically stand outside polling stations and discreetly look to see who's wearing an "I just voted!" sticker as they leave the polling place.

If no sticker, ask them if they were able to vote.

If their answer is no, can go in and try to get them a provisional ballot or legal help if they need it.

[kostya]

5. Click the link, tells all

After you indicate your availability, civil rights groups will assign you to a much needed task such as:

Poll Monitors
Perform on-site poll monitoring, offer immediate voter assistance, report evidence of problems to same-day legal assistance Voters' Hotline.

Bill of Rights Canvassers
Hand out state-specific Voters' Bills of Rights in key neighborhoods where voting rights are at risk. Encourage voter participation at the polls on election day.

[alittlelark]

3. I'm going to Albuquerque to work w/them

I'll find out the precinct on the 1st. Should be interesting. The sign-up was easy, and all I have had to do so far is be part of a conference call for 50 minutes. I'll be in NM for 6 days, and working with them for 3 of them.

It makes my flight and car rental tax deductible as well!.

[intheflow]

6. Conference call

Yeah, they say it'll take 50 minutes, but if you can volunteer in your hometown, it should only take about 1/2 hour. Almost all the questions after that (on my call) were about traveling far to work the polls.

Only exception was lawyers who wanted to know if they could help in any legal capacity. Not being a lawyer, I didn't pay attention to the answer.