Problems on election day? The VA ACLU has your back

by | Nov 2, 2016 | POLITICS

The flaming garbage fire that is the 2016 election cycle is about to come to an end and the local chapter of the nation’s largest Civil Liberties group wants to make sure it goes as planned.

The flaming garbage fire that is the 2016 election cycle is about to come to an end and the local chapter of the nation’s largest Civil Liberties group wants to make sure it goes as planned.

The Virginia ACLU has sent out information for folks who feel like their rights might be violated when they go to vote. Whether it’s someone intimidating you ahead of poll entry or a polling place not letting you vote even if you made it to the line on time, they’ll do the best the can to help your voice get heard.

Polls are open 6 AM–7 PM – if you get there by 7, you should be able to vote. DON’T FORGET TO BRING A PICTURE ID like one of the 10 options listed below:

1 – A Virginia driver’s license or Photo ID
2 – A Veteran’s ID from the Virginia DMV
3 – US Military ID
4 – A US Passport or Passport Card
5 – A student photo ID issued by any institution of higher education or any private school in Virginia
6 – A Virginia photo voter ID obtained from a local general registrar’s office
7 – Another photo ID issued by the federal government, Virginia, or a local body of Virginia government
8 -An employee photo ID issued by your employer
9 – Tribal enrollment or other tribal ID if issued by one of 11 tribes recognized by Virginia
10 – Nursing home resident ID if issued by a government facility

To find your voting location, head over here and enter your registered address.

But if you are denied access or have other problems at the polls, the ACLU has an open phone line and email address – 804-644-8080 or acluva@acluva.org – to respond to issues sent throughout Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 8.

“The ACLU of Virginia continues to be concerned about free and fair access to the polls as a result of the mandate that went into effect in 2013 requiring voters to bring photo identification in order to exercise their right,” said ACLU of Virginia Executive Director Claire Guthrie Gastañaga in a press release along side the information below. “We stand ready to protect and defend anyone whose right to vote is denied.”

Brad Kutner

Brad Kutner

Brad Kutner is the former editor of GayRVA and RVAMag from 2013 - 2017. He’s now the Richmond Bureau Chief for Radio IQ, a state-wide NPR outlet based in Roanoke. You can reach him at BradKutnerNPR@gmail.com




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