Protect the Vote in 2022

Vote Protectors have a BIG impact. During the 2020 and 2022 Elections, Vote Protectors sounded the alarm when precincts ran out of paper ballots, when voters were denied provisional ballots, and much more. Their work allowed us to fight for and win on-the-spot fixes so fewer voters were turned away. Vote Protectors helped hundreds of voters by answering questions and resolving issues at the polls.

Be a Vote Protector

Growing threats to election workers, voters, and increases in poll worker shortages pose unique challenges to voters. Democracy North Carolina’s nonpartisan Voter Protection program works to ensure that every eligible voter in our state can register to vote and successfully cast their ballot.

Vote Protectors (previously known as poll monitors) serve as our “eyes and ears on the ground” at voting sites across North Carolina. They help voters who encounter problems at the polls and ensure that every polling place is running as it should — sounding the alarm when something isn’t right.

Vote Protectors will monitor polling places in their communities flagging:

• Long lines
• Problems with curbside voting or accessibility
• Voter confusion
• Misinformation or voter suppression

As a vote protector, you will:

• Attend an online training
• Receive a vote protector t-shirt, sign, and other materials
• Monitor voting sites during Early Voting and Election Day
• Report problems to the 888-OUR-VOTE hotline

Accessibility

If you have a disability or health risks that prevent you from leaving your car, please email us and we will work with you so that you can still participate in this program. Another alternative would be to join our Sign Distribution Squad.

When did you last ask yourself: what am I doing for my democracy?

Additional questions? Please contact voteprotector@democracync.org.

Adopt-a-Precinct 

Applications are now closed. As part of Democracy North Carolina’s 2022 Election Protection program, nonpartisan civic groups, faith communities, or nonprofits are welcome to apply for Democracy North Carolina’s “Adopt-a-Precinct” program. Organizations may receive between $500-$1500 to monitor up to three precincts.

NC Election Protection Hotline

888-OUR-VOTE (888-687-8683)

Democracy North Carolina also staffs a voter assistance NC Election Protection Hotline to provide real-time voter information and field voting problems.

We recruit volunteers to answer the hotline during the election season.  Volunteers will answer calls from voters across the state, documenting problems and working to remove barriers to voting. All volunteers will receive a brief training on NC election law before their first shift.  To serve as a hotline volunteer, you should hold a JD, or be currently enrolled in law school, or have prior experience answering a nonpartisan voter hotline. 

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For questions regarding your individual voter registration or for more information, you can visit ncvoter.org, the NC State Board of Elections website, or contact the NC Election Protection Hotline at 888-OUR-VOTE (888-687-8683).