Target States

On November 8, 2000, Americans woke up to the sobering reality that there are serious flaws in the way this country conducts elections. Between 4 and 6 million voters-- disproportionately from minority communities--were disenfranchised during that election, according to a study conducted by Caltech and MIT.
In county after county, state after state, problems like these deprived citizens of their most fundamental right--the right to vote.

• Late processing of voter-registration applications
  
• Improper purging of validly registered voters
  
• Mistakes in voter registration lists
  
• Late opening of polling sites
  
• Deceptive practices aimed at suppressing black and Latino voter turnout
  
• Harassment and intimidation of voters
  
• Closure of polling places with voters still waiting in line to vote
  
• Confusing ballots and ballot instructions
  
• Malfunctioning voting machines
  
• Disrespectful or misinformed election officials
  
• Inaccurate vote counts

Although irregularities are nationwide, 14 states have been targeted as having a particularly extensive history of voting irregularities. These are states that are of particular focus for the Election Protection Program, and local Attorney Networks are being set up in these states. The Election Protection Program will target 30 states with large African American, Latino, and Native American populations.(click here to learn more, and to volunteer).