As Proskauer’s Pro Bono Counsel, Michelle Moriarty not only manages the pro bono program but also participates in some of the Firm’s most impactful pro bono projects. She has volunteered on the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law’s Election Protection hotline for years and will be a hotline captain for this year’s election cycle. Michelle recently caught up with associate Elliot Stevens, who will serve as one of Proskauer’s hotline leads this year, and associate Matt Westbrook, another hotline captain, to discuss their experiences fielding voter calls over the last few weeks.
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Proskauer Volunteers Join Election Protection Call Center to Safeguard Voting Rights
Since 2006, Proskauer has partnered with the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law to help lead the non-partisan Election Protection hotline (866-Our-Vote). This election cycle, Proskauer will once again lead the Midwest call center, in collaboration with the legal departments of a number of corporate clients.
Election Protection and the Need for Nationwide Voting Standards
Proskauer’s participation in Election Protection, through hosting a call center with Firm, client and alumni volunteers across the United States, provides an invaluable service to individual voters ensuring they have an equal opportunity to cast their ballot. This volunteer experience also provides great insight into the current condition of democracy in America. It lays bare some fundamental weaknesses in the US electoral systems of voting, but also suggests a potential roadmap for reform.
One thing becomes clear to anyone who takes part in this effort – the US does not have a system of voting but rather has many systems, each controlled on the local level. From registering to vote to voting itself, including voter ID laws and the ability to vote by mail, elections vary widely from state to state.
Rules change as soon as one crosses state lines and even county lines in some instances, causing widespread voter confusion. The essential and what should be fairly straightforward act of voting in the US has become too complicated.
Election Protection 2020: Preparing Voters for Election Day
For the past 14 years, Proskauer has partnered with the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law in its Election Protection initiative, a nonpartisan project mobilizing law firms, law schools, in-house counsel, and other members of the legal community to ensure every vote is counted fairly and equally. Proskauer will again host a national call center to provide comprehensive voting information, as well as monitor election-related issues.
Countdown to Election Day: Making Your Voting Plan
In the midst of a pandemic and with less than a month until Election Day, every American must have a plan to ensure their vote is cast. If you choose to vote in person, locate your local polling place online or through the 866-OUR-VOTE hotline, arrange for transportation, and no matter how long the wait may be: stay in line. Make sure you know your polling place’s hours, and bring the documentation your state requires. Review your employer’s policies regarding taking time off to vote, and arrange for childcare, if necessary.