Election 2024: Know Your Rights Before You Head to the Polls

Happy Election Day! Time to head to the polls, assuming you haven't already as part of early voting or mailed yours in. But before you go make sure you know your rights, just in case you run into problems when casting your ballot.

In the four years since the last presidential election, several states have passed new election laws, many in the name of boosting election security. But voting rights advocates argue that voting was already secure and what the laws actually do is make it harder for some legitimate voters — particularly people of color and other marginalized communities — from voting.

For example, the US Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed Republican officials in Virginia to go forward with a plan aimed at removing 1,600 suspected noncitizen voters from the state's rolls ahead of the election. Civil rights groups, backed by the Biden administration, challenged the plan, saying it had also led to some legal voters' being removed from the rolls.

In other states, voters are facing hurdles including things like new proof of residency requirements, shortened deadlines for mail-in ballot applications, the elimination of drop boxes and restrictive voter ID requirements.

Before you head to the polls, make sure you know where you're going, have everything you need and know your rights. Here are a few pointers from the American Civil Liberties Union, Election Protection and Verified Voting.

Know your rights

Double check your polling location. The Voting Information Project, which is run by the group Democracy Works, is a good place to start. You can enter your address to get your polling location and hours. Otherwise, give your local election officials a call or go directly to their website. Be wary of unsolicited emails, texts or social media posts. They could be a scam or part of a disinformation campaign.

Know what you need to vote. Some states require identification. Others may require ID or other proof of residence if you're voting for the first time. Know before you go.

Know your rights at the polls. If you're in line when the polls close, you can still vote. If the voting machines go down, stay in line and ask for a paper ballot. And if you make a mistake, you have the right to ask for a new ballot.

What if your name is not on the poll's list of voters? Spell out your name to make sure that the poll worker is getting it right, the ACLU advises. Ask the poll worker to double check that you're at the right voting location. If you are, ask the poll worker if there's a supplemental list of voters or if there's a statewide database they can check. If they still can't find your name, you're still entitled to a provisional ballot. This lets you vote, then officials will investigate later to find out if you're entitled to vote. If you are, your vote will be counted.

What counts as voter intimidation? While observers are allowed at polling locations, they are not allowed to aggressively question voters about their citizenship, criminal record or other qualifications to vote. People are also barred from falsely representing themselves as election officials or spreading false information about voting requirements. 

What if I have a disability or struggle with English? Polling locations are required to be accessible for people with physical disabilities or other mobility issues. Voters with disabilities and who have difficulty reading or writing English also have the right to receive in-person help from the person of their choice, with some restrictions, the ACLU says.

Need help? If you're turned away from the polls, denied a provisional ballot or feel you've been subjected to voter intimidation, call the Election Protection hotline at 1-866-OUR-VOTE. Cases of voter intimidation should also be reported to local election officials.

Why it matters

Damon Hewitt, president and executive director of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, says the right to vote is under "unprecedented attack" across the country, with those efforts too often targeting people of color. 

"The voter suppression we're seeing today really echoes some of the worst moments in our nation's history," Hewitt said on a conference call with reporters last month.

But he added that at the same time there have always been leaders, community organizations and everyday people who have stepped up to protect the right to vote.

"We stand united, fighting back against these efforts to intimidate, confuse and discourage the American people from making our voices heard," Hewitt said.

His group and others have joined forces again this year to form the Election Protection, a coalition of civil and voting rights groups, which is mobilizing to help if voters run into problems on Tuesday.

The main Election Protection voter hotline can be reached at 1-866-OUR-VOTE. Additional resources, including hotline numbers for voter help in multiple languages, can be found on the group's website.