Our Faith Our Vote Tuesday is the day!

Here is the UCC Election Day Check list.

Election Day Checklist The end is in sight! Election Day is almost here! You've stuck with us this far - join us in our final push to prepare for the elections. Voter registration is way up! Overall, 13 battleground states have already received 3.4 million new voter registrations as of Oct. 14, 2008 compared to 1.8 million new registrations in 2004. This is exciting, but the overwhelming number of people expected to vote on November 4th is going to put a big strain on our electoral system. It is all the more important to watch for incidents of voter disenfranchisement and intimidation. The following are just a few of the disturbing incidents that have been reported so far: Voters in Philadelphia are being told that they will be denied the right to vote if they have unpaid parking tickets. FALSE! In some areas, flyers are being distributed with misinformation about elections, including such false warnings that anyone whose home is in foreclosure cannot vote. UNETHICAL! Some Georgia residents waited 6 to 8 hours to cast an early ballot, in large part due to computer glitches and an overload of the state's computerized voter verification system. DISTURBING! What can you do to insure that your vote and the votes in your community are counted? Prepare yourself! Know where your polling place is located This may seem simple but knowing your polling place will save you time and frustration. You can use this tool to find it right now. (LINK http://www.866ourvote.org/find-polling) You can also help members of your church find their polling places. Set up your computer during coffee hour so anyone can find their polling location or print out directions to local polling stations so everyone knows where to go! Know about your state's voter requirements Does your state require ID at polling places? What kind of identification is acceptable? Make sure you know what to expect in your state. Know your rights No one should be able to deny you your right to vote. Come prepared with the facts in case you encounter unexpected problems at the polling place. The UCC OFOV project has prepared a basic Voter Bill of Rights in English and Spanish for your use. Spread the knowledge with this useful bulletin insert. Include it in your Sunday worship materials so all your friends and neighbors can be prepared. If you encounter any problems call the election protection hotline for immediate assistance from trained legal professionals. 1-866-OUR-VOTE. Consider voting early Massive voter turn out is going to lead to long lines on Election Day. If you know you won't be able to make it to the polls on November 4th consider voting early or requesting an absentee ballot. To find out if your state offers early voting click here. Don't wear buttons, stickers, shirts or carry signs promoting a candidate to a polling location The laws about this vary state-to-state and county-to-county. Because there is a great deal of confusion about this among poll workers, voters and officials it is better NOT to wear campaign gear when you go to vote. Prepare Your Church! Voting can be difficult to fit in your schedule. With jobs, children and pets to care for many people have trouble finding time to cast their ballots. Help the members of your church find time to vote. Car pool Make sure everyone has a ride to the polls. Get some drivers to volunteer and find out who needs a ride. Make a sign-up sheet and divide responsibility so that everyone who needs a ride from home or work can make it to their voting place. Child Care It's hard to make time to stand in line and vote when you have kids to worry about. Open up the church nursery and offer to watch your members' kids while their parents vote. They will appreciate it more than you know! Dog Walking Offer to walk dogs so people are free to vote and free from worrying about their pets waiting in the car or at home. This is a great way to get your youth group involved in the voting process and will be appreciated by pet owners. Encourage everyone in your congregation to vote Sometimes we all just need a little reminder! Thank you for your engagement in this election! ______________________________________________________________ I can't tell you how to vote and who to vote for. All I can say is VOTE. Make sure you're friends and neighbors and even your relatives VOTE! Jeannette