UNITED SIKHS ALERT: Combating Voter Intimidation During 2020 Election

 
October 31, 2020
New York, NY
UNITED SIKHS is collaborating with other national and local civil rights organizations in an effort to keep everyone safe.  We are providing practical information to ensure that our communities are inclusive, peaceful and resilient to violence.  We need to ensure that every American is able to vote safely, freely, and confidently during this contentious election.
“There has been an increase in far-right and extremist hate speech and acts in the months leading up to the elections. We must be vigilant and ensure that it does not affect individuals at the polling sites,” states Jasmit Singh, UNITED SIKHS Advocacy Director.
It is illegal to intimidate voters and a federal crime to intimidate, threaten or coerce any person for the purpose of interfering with their right to vote or to vote as he or she may choose. Most voters will cast their votes safely, but it is important to remain vigilant and to be prepared to keep the community safe.
Examples of voter intimidation are aggressively questioning voters about their citizenship, criminal record, or other qualifications to vote; falsely presenting oneself as an elections official; spreading false information about voter requirements (such as an ability to speak English, or the need to present certain types of photo identification in States with no such requirement); displaying false or misleading signs about voter fraud and the related criminal penalties; verbal threats of violence; brandishing firearms or the intimidating display of firearms; aggressively approaching voters’ vehicles or writing down license plate numbers, disrupting voting lines or blocking entrances to polling sites and other harassment, particularly toward non-English speakers and voters from minority communities. Factsheet: Protecting Against Voter Intimidation
The Election Protection helpline provides state-specific information in multiple languages to overcome any obstacles to casting your vote.  They can be found at:  866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683).
You can also familiarize yourself with the state-specific laws regarding militias and armed individuals at polling sites.
For immediate, emergency assistance with a voter intimidation issue, please contact your local police.
Incidents of voter intimidation should be reported to UNITED SIKHS at law-USA@unitedsikhs.org
Keeping each other safe during this election will help ensure that every American is able to vote safely and with confidence.
Eva Landeo, Associate Legal Advisor
UNITED SIKHS