The ACLU of Massachusetts today announced it has trained over 200 volunteer poll monitors to help ensure voters cast their ballots on Election Day without unnecessary obstacles. In total, the statewide Election Protection Coalition, including the ACLU, has trained more than 1,500 poll monitors.
“This year, voters have more options than ever before on how to cast their ballot,” said Carol Rose, executive director of the ACLU of Massachusetts. “Voting by mail might be the safest option for many voters, but others will choose to vote in person. With hundreds of poll monitors at polling locations across Massachusetts, the ACLU is committed to ensuring that Bay Staters exercising their right to vote are fully supported on Election Day.”
The ACLU conducted virtual poll monitor trainings, and recruited volunteers and members to monitor polling places across Massachusetts. Poll monitors are trained to observe and report issues to the Election Protection hotline, and serve as a resource for voters. Among other voting rights, the ACLU has trained poll monitors to help voters who have requested a mail-in ballot but would like to vote in person.
As a part of the Massachusetts Election Protection Coalition, ACLU staff will also be taking calls from voters who encounter barriers at the polls. The hotline number is 1-866-OUR-VOTE.
For 100 years, the ACLU has worked to promote access to the ballot and fight voter suppression. This election season, the ACLU has filed over 30 legal actions in 20 states to ensure safe access to the ballot in November. Here in Massachusetts, the ACLU worked with voting rights organizations and lawmakers to pass legislation to enable widespread voting by mail during the COVID-19 pandemic. In advance of the general election, the ACLU of Massachusetts has launched new Know Your Rights materials for voters.
