The number 1 rule when going to vote:
DO NOT LEAVE THE POLLING LOCATION WITHOUT VOTING!
If you are a registered voter you have a right to vote and as such you should not leave the polling location without doing so. If your name is not on the active voter roll then ask if your name is listed on the inactive roll. If your name still can't be found and the poll workers are not being cooperative then call the hotline to let them know the issue and call the secretary of state's office or your local board of electios. If you still cannot cast a regular ballot
you are legally allowed to cast a provisional ballot. This ballot will only be counted after your registration status has been verified, but your vote still counts!
The poll workers may send police officer(s) over to "talk" to you. Do not worry and do not leave. Do not make a scene. Remain calm and place the calls that you need to (ie: the 1800 number) and wait. They will try to intimidate you. I've had it happen to me when I was helping someone to vote. They cannot kick you out. Place the calls and wait there until you get to cast a ballot, but do not leave. IF you are at the polling place before it closes then you are still allowed to vote even after the closing time. No matter what they tell you do not leave and make sure you cast a ballot!
If you have any problems call the hotline:
1-866-MYVOTE1
(1-866-698-6831).
We have lawyers who will be fielding calls and answering questions as needed as well as regular people to answer the easier questions. If you are unsure about anything then give us a call!
Also visit www.blackcampaign.com for more info!
In Georgia and many other states there have been reports of voting machine failures. If something goes wrong with the machine while you are trying to cast your ballot notify a poll worker and call the 1-800 number. If you have not cast your ballot (which means you did not get all the way through the questions on the machine to the "thank you for voting" message) or the machine messed up just as you finished let the poll workers know. They should give you another card and tell you to use another machine while they check the one you were using. If they refuse to do so follow rule one. Place necessary calls and ask to complete a provisional ballot if they still refuse to let you cast a regular ballot. They may threaten that you will be prosecuted for voter fraud, but it is not true. If you ensure that the card you were using to cast your ballot is not turned in to be counted (which you would have done by handing it to a poll worker other than the one collecting cards at the exit) then you have not voted and as such could not have committed voter fraud. Again, do not leave without voting and if all else fails cast a provisional ballot!