Know Your Rights at the Ballot Box

Washington, DC | www.adc.org | November 1, 2024 – Election day is less than a week away, and many states have already begun accepting ballots. To help assist voters ADC launched arab.vote, a centralized resource for all your election needs. In addition to letting you check your voter registration status, arab.vote will help you identify your polling place, who is on your ballot, and, most importantly, make a plan to vote by November 5. As more and more Americans go cast their ballots, ADC wants to ensure that you know your voting rights. Find more information and some tips below.

Nationwide Rights

  • All voters have the right not to be discriminated against on the basis of race, national origin, or disability.
  • All voters have the right to vote free of intimidation.
  • All voters who need assistance by reason of disability or inability to read and write in the language of the ballot may choose someone to assist them to vote, as long as the person is not the judge of elections or an agent/representative of the voter’s employer or union.

Registration

States have different voter registration deadlines and requirements, so check what you need to do to register in your state in advance of Election Day. Voter registration deadlines vary and some states allow individuals to register for the first time and cast ballots on Election Day.

  • Check your registration status at arab.vote
  • If you are not registered to vote, arab.vote will provide information about your registration options, which may include online registration.

Election Day Rights and Tips

  • If the polls close while you’re still in line, stay in line – you have the right to vote.
  • If you make a mistake on your ballot, ask for a new one.
  • If the machines are down at your polling place, ask for a paper ballot.

What to do if the poll worker says you are not on the list of registered voters

  • Voters are entitled to a provisional ballot, even if they aren’t in the poll book.
  • After Election Day, election officials must investigate whether you are qualified to vote and registered. If you are qualified and registered, they will count your provisional ballot.
  • Ask the poll worker to double check for your name on the list of registered voters. Make sure to spell your name out for the poll worker.
  • If the poll worker still cannot find your name, confirm that you are at the correct polling place using arab.vote.

Speak English less than “very well”?

Under federal law, voters who have difficulty reading or writing English may receive in-person assistance at the polls from the person of their choice.

  • You can bring a family member, friend, or other person of your choice to assist you at the polls.

Voter Intimidation

Examples of voter intimidation:

  • Aggressively questioning voters about their citizenship, criminal record, or other qualifications to vote.
  • Falsely representing oneself as an elections official.
  • Displaying false or misleading signs about voter fraud and related criminal penalties.
  • Other forms of harassment, particularly harassment targeting non-English speakers and voters of color.
  • Spreading false information about voter requirements.
  • You do not need to speak English to vote, in any state.
  • You do not need to pass a test to vote, in any state.

What to do if you experience voter intimidation:

  • In many states, you can give a sworn statement to the poll worker that you satisfy the qualifications to vote in your state, and then proceed to cast a ballot.
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