Hundreds of volunteers ready to watch Illinois polls Nov 3
Voting rights groups have trained observers to report violations at polling places during Tuesday's midterms.
By Harper Collins ·
Hundreds of trained volunteers will stand watch at Illinois polling places on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
The League of Women Voters of Illinois led a coalition of organizations that prepared poll monitors and watchers for the midterm election. These observers are accredited by local election authorities. Their role is to observe voting locations and report suspected violations of voting rights.
The coalition has monitored polls in previous cycles. League officials said they increased oversight this year due to threats of interference and the spread of misinformation. Becky Simon, president of the League of Women Voters of Illinois, stated the group aims to prevent voters from staying home out of fear or concern. "What's important on November 3 is that all eligible voters go out and vote," Simon said in a news release.
Christian Harris, executive director of Common Cause Illinois, said the campaign seeks to instill confidence in voters. "Elections are for the people," Harris said. "It's only appropriate that the public plays a role."
The coalition includes the Chicago Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights, Chicago Votes, Common Cause Illinois, Equity and Transformation, First Defense Legal Aid, the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, the League of Women Voters of Chicago, and the Workers Center for Racial Justice. The group established communication lines with election officials statewide. Volunteers will station themselves in and around polling places to spot voter intimidation, electioneering, or interference. They will not replace election judges, who are trained by local authorities to administer polls. Observers are advised to call 866-OUR-VOTE to report violations rather than taking action on their own.
Voters are encouraged to report suspected violations by calling or texting 866-687-8683. The League of Women Voters of Illinois hosts a Midterm Election Guide on its website. That resource covers mail-in ballots and voter intimidation. General election information is available at VOTE411.org/LWVIL.
Observers will deploy to their assigned locations on election day.
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