Election day is November 5th! Are you ready? 

It’s no secret that a lot is at stake for this upcoming election. With the election just around the corner, there may be an increase in threats of violence by folks who want to intimidate voters at the ballot box. These safety threats can range from verbal and physical harassment, disinformation and misinformation about voting, digital attacks, general intimidation, and other forms of violence. 

Here at PWN, we know that we keep each other safe, not cops. In the spirit of collective care, here are a few tips and tricks to keep you and your community safe this election season. 

There’s safety in numbers. Ask a friend or family member to accompany you to the polls and vote together.

As you enter, vote, and exit the polling place, take stock of your surroundings. Listen to your instincts. If something feels off or if someone makes you uncomfortable, write it down, alert a poll worker, and call the voter protection hotline.

Familiarize yourself with examples of voter intimidation and know your rights at the polls! Remember you are your best advocate. 

Take a few seconds now, and add the Election Protection Hotline number to the contacts in your phone. In case you or someone else runs into any problems while trying to vote, you experience voter intimidation, or if you have any questions about voting, you’ll have the number ready. Examples of things to report would include if a polling place is inaccessible for a person with a disability, if a polling place doesn’t open on time, or if someone outside the polling place is physically confronting voters.
  • English: 1-866-OUR-VOTE / 1-866-687-8683
  • Spanish: 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA / 1-888-839-8682
  • Arabic: 1-844-YALLA-US / 1-844-925-5287
  • Bengali, Cantonese, Hindi, Urdu, Korean, Mandarin, Tagalog, or Vietnamese: 1-888-274-8683
  • American Sign Language video call number: 301-818-VOTE (301-818-8683)

Do you know you have the right to assistance at the polls? If you have are a person with a disability, you have the inability to read or write, or you are a voter who has difficulty understanding English, you can bring someone (who is not your employer or union representative) into the voting booth to help you understand and cast a ballot.

In case there are long lines at the polls, be sure to bring water and snacks with you to prevent fatigue and to keep you energized. 

We are still in the COVID-19 pandemic and people living with HIV are at a higher risk for developing Long Covid. Exercise community care and wear a mask (N95s and K94s are the best) at the polls to protect your fellow voters, particularly those who may be immunocompromised. If you can’t afford a mask, check to see if there is a local mutual aid mask bloc in your area that can donate some masks. 

It’s no secret that trans voters face barriers to voting due to transmisia and strict voter ID laws across the country. Check out the Voting While Trans Voting Guide for more info on how to be prepared at the ballot box and keep the Transgender Law Center’s Legal Information Helpdesk on hand for more specific questions.