NAACP urges Alabama voters to report polling problems in Tuesday’s midterms

Long lines, inaccessible polling places and voter intimidation are among the problems Alabamians should watch for as they head to the polls Tuesday—and voting rights advocates want voters to know where to turn for help.

Emahunn Campbell, assistant counsel at the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, told APR that voters should report problems to the Election Protection hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE.

“There are a few things that voters should certainly be aware of, both at the polling places and then when it comes to larger concerns that some folks have talked about,” Campbell told APR.

“We want to make sure that the polling places are ADA-compliant. We want to ensure that individuals who need assistance voting can get that assistance. We also want to make sure that people are able to vote efficiently, quickly and without problems—and we want them to be able to vote safely,” Campbell said. “So, if there are long lines, we want to make sure that that's being reported to our voter hotline, 866-OUR-VOTE—and that's of course with any voting issue at the polls, we want that to be reported.”

Campbell also stressed that Alabamians who arrive at their polling place before the polls close at 7 p.m. should be guaranteed access to the ballot box.

“We want to make sure that polling places are staying open as long as they're supposed to stay open to ensure that everybody actually gets to vote,” Campbell said. “So in Alabama, polling places close at 7. If you arrive at or before 7, if you're in line, you want to make sure that you get in there and vote. That means that a polling place stays open to ensure that everybody who arrived at or before 7 can do that.”

With the Trump administration indicating that it may attempt to deploy federal law enforcement to polling places as an intimidation tactic, Campbell also encouraged voters to be on the lookout for public or private actors who may pose a threat to election safety.

“When it comes to federal law enforcement, we want to ensure that that's reported and we want to make sure that people feel safe going to the polling places,” he said. “So if there's any sighting of any kind of private actor causing disturbances at the polling places, including holding firearms—and of course, anything regarding federal law enforcement at or near the polling places—we want to make sure that we're addressing that and that folks are calling our number again, 866-OUR-VOTE.”

While LDF does not necessarily expect any such intimidation in Alabama, Campbell said the organization is remaining vigilant and will respond with a “multi-pronged strategy that includes litigation” if necessary.

“We expect and hope that there will be no issues when it comes to federal law enforcement being at or near the polls, but we're prepared to handle it if necessary, if it’s reported to us, and we'll be ready to respond,” Campbell said.

“We have folks who are prepared if necessary to intervene legally through the federal courts if federal law enforcement poses any kind of threat or inhibits individuals or intimidates folks when it comes to them exercising their democratic rights,” he added.

Campbell reiterated that if individuals have any questions or concerns on or before Election Day, they should call 866-OUR-VOTE, where they can speak with a trained Election Protection volunteer.

“We're really excited about people getting to the polls, and LDF will be there making sure that folks can vote freely and fairly,” Campbell said. “Given our history of ensuring that Black people especially are protected at the polls, I just want to make sure that folks know that LDF and other organizations are prepared to make sure that folks are voting safely and that these are free and fair elections.”