AG Schneiderman Announces Election Day Hotline to Help Ensure Access for Voters Across New York State During 2013 Election Cycle

Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced an Election Day hotline to help ensure that minority-language voters, people with disabilities and all eligible voters are able to cast an effective ballot during the September 10th primary election. The Attorney General urges voters to call the Office’s Hotline at 800-771-7755 or email civil.rights@ag.ny.gov at any time between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. to report issues or problems at the polls.

“My office is committed to full enforcement of the Voting Rights Act and other federal and state laws that require equal access to the ballot box. Our Election Day hotline will help ensure that all eligible voters across our state are able to exercise their constitutionally-protected right to vote on Election Day,” said Attorney General Schneiderman.

During the Office's 2012 Election Day monitoring effort, the Office fielded hundreds of complaints from voters across the state and worked with local election officials and others to help troubleshoot and resolve many issues and barriers faced by voters at the polls. This year's 2013 monitoring efforts comes on the heels of recent agreements secured with Schenectady, Sullivan, Ulster, Rockland, Dutchess, Putnam and Chautauqua Counties pursuant to Section 4(e) of the Voting Rights Act, which requires that certain Spanish-speaking voters be provided bilingual ballots, bilingual election-related materials and language assistance at the polls. The Election Day hotline is part of Attorney General Schneiderman's ongoing statewide initiative to ensure that these and other voters have equal access to the political process and do not encounter language barriers on Election Day.

In addition, the Attorney General's Office will be focused on barriers impacting voters with disabilities and other issues faced by minority voters. The Office will receive and respond to election-related complaints relating to any of the statutes that the Office enforces. Attorneys within the Office's Civil Rights Bureau will work with election officials across the state to respond to and address problems as they arise.

To report a complaint about discriminatory voting practices on Election Day, call the OAG's Hotline at 800-771-7755 or email civil.rights@ag.ny.gov at any time between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m.

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