Voter Suppression and Intimidation Pose Threat to Democracy
What can you do to fight back?
Media Contacts:
Becky Simon, LWVIL President, communications@lwvil.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CHICAGO, IL, October 14, 2024 — Voters: Your right to vote is legally protected from intimidation and harassment. Federal law makes it a crime to intimidate, harass, or deceive voters at home or the polls.
Voter suppression is any attempt to prevent or discourage certain Americans from registering to vote or casting their ballot.
Voter intimidation is any act that causes voters to feel unsafe about exercising their right to vote. You may not be threatened, coerced, frightened, assaulted, compelled or discouraged to vote one way or another, or not to vote at all. The right to vote necessarily includes the right to be free from intimidation and harassment.
Voter suppression and intimidation today uses new trends and new technology. It might include robocalls and social media posts giving incorrect information about where to vote or promoting the false idea that voters' personal information or ballot choices will be shared with the government, the public, or with law enforcement.
The League of Women Voters of Illinois is fighting voter suppression and intimidation by mailing thousands of Get Out The Vote postcards, deploying nonpartisan pollwatchers throughout the state, observing public testing of voting equipment, and actively fighting misinformation and disinformation.
“A true democracy is where every person has the desire, the right, the knowledge, and the confidence to participate,” said Becky Simon, President of the League of Women Voters of Illinois. “We encourage you to join the League of Women Voters of Illinois in our fight to support everyone's freedom to vote.”
If you think you have spotted voter suppression or intimidation, what should you do? Know your rights! Document incidents thoroughly using your phone (outside the polling place) or by taking notes. If your voter registration is denied at your polling place, you may ask a poll worker to double-check your registration, and you may still cast a provisional ballot.
Avoid engaging with groups or individuals employing intimidation. Incidents of voter suppression or intimidation should be reported to the Illinois State Board of Elections at 217-782-4141 or the Election Protection Hotline:
English: 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683)
Spanish: 888-VE-Y-VOTA (888-839-8682)
Asian Languages: 888-API-VOTE (888-274-8683)
Arabic: 844-YALLA-US (844-925-5287)
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Founded in 1919, the League of Women Voters of Illinois is a nonpartisan organization that encourages informed and active participation in government. It influences public policy through education and advocacy and does not support or oppose any political parties or candidates. With over 100 years of experience and more than 800 local and state affiliations, the League is one of America’s most trusted grassroots organizations. Membership in the League is open to people ages 16 and over. For further information, visit lwvil.org.