WASHINGTON -- October 26 -- With exactly seven days to go before Election Day 2004, the Election Protection Coalition is launching the nationwide, nonpartisan Know Your Rights/Election Protection Program in Georgia.

The Election Protection Program provides voter information and assistance, expert legal help, poll monitors to help voters understand their rights, and voter assistance when problems arise. Election Protection targets historically disenfranchised communities, including Hispanic, African-American and low-income communities, by providing these voters with key information and advice.

More information can be obtained during an Oct. 29 press conference.

WHO: Georgia Election Protection Coalition

WHAT: Press Conference on Georgia Election Protection Program

WHEN: Friday, Oct. 29, 10 a.m. (EST)

WHERE: Georgia State Capitol Building, South Wing

ATTENDING: Charlie Lester, Lawyers' Committee; Cindy Spindler, Georgia Association for Women Lawyers; Rev. Timothy McDonald, People for the American Way; Ann Pickett, policy director, Secretary of State's Office

Election Protection will be working fromform now until Election Day to make sure that every vote counts. On Election Day, a toll- free number (1-866-OUR-VOTE) will be staffed from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. by legal volunteers trained to provide voters with free legal help. Multi-lingual volunteers will be available. In addition, legal volunteers will be on the ground monitoring selected polling places and will be available to intervene in person or place telephone calls to the appropriate election official,or how .

Election Protection is needed now more than ever. State election officials face new requirements under the Help America Vote Act. New and unfamiliar electronic voting machines will be used in some states. Unparalleled numbers of new voters are expected to go to the polls this year. Election Protection is committed to making our system work, educating voters about their rights, and preparing for problems before they arise.

Election Protection is the nation's most ambitious non-partisan program for preventing Election Day disenfranchisement. The coalition of state and national allies seeks to ensure that every eligible voter casts a ballot that counts on Election Day.

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