FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- Monday, November, 2008, 1:00 PM EDT

CONTACT:

Baratunde Thurston, Jack and Jill Politics, jackturnerpolitics {at} gmail {dot} com
Tracy Viselli, Reno and Its Discontents, tracy {at} renofabulousmedia {dot} com
Jon Pincus, Liminal States, jon {at} achangeiscoming {dot} net

Cyberspace -- The Voter Suppression Wiki has issued an action alert encouraging people to prepare for election day by double-checking their polling place, saving national hotline numbers 1-866-OUR-VOTE and 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA on cellphones, printing out voting rights information, and avoiding campaign clothing or buttons. The alert and accompanying video also include a "packing list", recommends that people bring water, folding chairs, and umbrellas to share with others in lines that are expected to be hours long in many places -- and cautions people to be aware of last-minute scams.

"I hadn't thought of storing the Spanish and Asian-language hotline numbers on my cellphone," says Jon Pincus of Liminal States, vice-chair for online visibility of the Computers, Freedom, and Privacy conference. "But what if I run into a voter needing help who's not as comfortable in English? Small steps like these can make a big difference."

The video, appearing in YouTube's News and Politics featured selections page, similarly hammers home on the recommendation to "prepare for a chaotic environment at the polls" from the recent Workshop on Last-minute strategies for reducing voter suppression. "The more prepared voters are before they get to the polls, the more smoothly the voting will go," advises Lillie Coney of EPIC and the National Committee for Voting Integrity. "Any hiccup at the front of the line has consequences for the people who haven't voted yet. If you have problems, don't get into an argument with the poll workers. Call the hotline instead."

With such lengthy lines, having chairs available for elderly voters, and water for whoever who needs it, not only makes the experience more pleasant, it also makes it easier for people to decide to stay and vote rather than leaving. Coney adds two important points that all voters should keep in mind: "Remember that voting with a provisional ballot is better than not voting at all. And if you are in line when the polls close -- you are still allowed to vote."

The caution to be alert for last-minute scams is particularly important given reports of deceptive rumor-mongering phone calls. "In Nevada, for example, we're hearing reports that people are being given false information about polling place changes," says Tracy Viselli of Reno and Its Discontents. Voters should confirm their polling sites with their local election authorities or at http://govote.org.

The Voter Suppression Wiki is asking its members to forward the action alert and video via email, blogs, and social network sites such as Facebook, MySpace, and Black Planet. Blogs and other media, online and off, are also encouraged to provide this kind of empowering advice to their readers, as well as feature election protection resources such as hotline numbers on their front pages.

"All of the debates, research, organizing and enthusiasm can be undermined if people don't head to the polls prepared," said Baratunde Thurston, co-founder of the Jack & Jill Politics blog and initial creator of the Voter Suppression Wiki. "What we're offering are a set of clear steps to ensure that everyone has a positive voting experience. Then we can all get some sleep."