Hotline answers voters’ questions

September 21, 2012 at 12:06a.m.

COLUMBUS

Civil-rights and voter advocates are publicizing a hotline they hope will help eligible Ohioans cast ballots in the November general election.

The hotline can be reached toll-free at 866-687-8683, and the Lawyer’s Committee for Civil Rights and like-minded groups plan to use it and lawyers and volunteers on the ground in the Youngstown area and other Ohio cities to address concerns raised by voters.

“This is a hotline that’s run 365 days out of the year to answer any questions voters have about the voting process,” said Sonia Gill, representing the Lawyer’s Committee. “This can be a question that’s as simple as where is my polling place, am I registered, what’s my registration status or as complex as asking about if they were dealing with intimidation at the polling place or some issue with provisional ballots that they may be uncertain about.”

Ohioans have until Oct. 9 to register to vote or update information on file with county boards of elections. Information about registrations and polling places also is available at MyOhioVote.com, a website run by the secretary of state’s office.

Gill said Ohio is among the swing states being targeted by the Election Protection Coalition to ensure voters have access to the polls. In addition to the hotline, the group will send monitors to precincts in larger cities, including Columbus, Cleveland and Youngstown.

“We want to make sure that we are out on Election Day making sure that voters are not going to be indiscriminately challenged or intimidated at the polling places,” she said.