7 Ways to Defend our Elections

Be our eyes and ears on the ground. Nonpartisan challengers are stationed at polling places, early voting sites, and absentee counting boards across Michigan to make sure eligible voters can cast their ballots free from interference and intimidation.

Early Voting: 1 to 2 shifts of 4 hours each during the early voting
Election Day: 1 shift of 4 to 6 hours on November 3rd

Sign up here: Nonpartisan Poll Challenger

Article: Michigan Election Observers: Rules and Constraints

Poll workers are paid, trained election volunteers appointed by their local clerk to help run polling locations on Election Day. You will check in voters, verify registrations, and make sure the process runs smoothly and fairly. Must be a registered Michigan voter.

Early Voting: Optional shifts available at early voting sites leading up to Election Day
Election Day: Full day commitment, typically 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM (paid stipend provided)

Submit this application: Kalamazoo County Election Inspector Application

Local Clerk Information | Kalamazoo County, MI

Questions? Contact elections@kalcounty.gov or at 269-384-8080. www.Kalcounty.gov/vote

Poll watchers observe and document what is happening at polling locations,  monitoring voter flow, accessibility issues, long lines, and procedures, and report any concerns to election officials or election protection organizations. Poll watchers cannot challenge voters, question voters, or interfere with election workers. This is an observe-and-report role.

Early Voting: 1 to 2 shifts of 2 to 4 hours during the early voting period
Election Day: 1 shift of 2 to 4 hours on November 3rd

Sign up here: KCDP Voter Protection Volunteer

Sign up here: WMU Campus Poll Observer

Sign up here: Common Cause Poll Watcher

Common Cause Michigan

Help make sure every eligible voter can actually get to the polls. Volunteer drivers provide rides to and from polling locations during early voting and on Election Day. No special training required, just a valid driver's license, a reliable vehicle, and a commitment to making sure no one in our community is left behind.

Early Voting: Flexible shifts available throughout the early voting period based on your availability
Election Day: Flexible shifts of 2 to 4 hours on November 3rd

Sign up here: Ride to the Polls (Detroit area only)

(As our partner organizations introduce Ride to the Polls opportunities in other communities across Michigan, we will notify all EDC members with sign up details and instructions. Stay connected and watch your inbox - more opportunities are coming!)

Help make sure every ballot counts. Ballot curing volunteers help voters fix technical errors on their absentee ballots,  like a missing or mismatched signature, that would otherwise cause their vote to be rejected and not counted. You will help notify voters that their ballot has been flagged, walk them through the steps to fix it, and make sure they follow through before the deadline.

Early Voting/Pre-Election Day: Most ballot curing work happens in the days immediately following Election Day through the certification deadline, expect 2 to 4 hour shifts over several days
Election Day and Beyond: Ongoing through ballot certification

Sign up here: KCDP Voter Protection Volunteer

Sign up here: ACLU Ballot Cure Volunteer (Select "Contacting Michigan Voters" when signing up)

Articles: What is ballot "curing"? How voters can fix their ballots

Articles: Why ballot curing is a potential secret weapon for Michigan campaigns

After Election Day, the real work of certifying the results begins and we need trained observers inside canvassing rooms to make sure it happens transparently and accurately. LWV observers are placed inside county canvassing rooms to monitor the official certification of every ballot cast, absentee, provisional, and Election Day votes. Observers are nonpartisan, do not interfere with the process, and document and report any irregularities through proper channels.

Early Voting/Pre-Election: Training required before Election Day, approximately 2 hours
Post-Election Day: Shifts inside canvassing rooms during the certification period, typically November 4th through November 14th - expect 4 to 6 hour shifts

Sign up here: KCDP Voter Protection Volunteer

Sign up here: LWV Board of Canvass Observer

(866) OUR-VOTE - Lawyer's Committee for Civil Rights

Lawyers and law students are needed to staff the nonpartisan (866) OUR-VOTE Election Protection Hotline - a virtual opportunity to help Michigan voters troubleshoot issues at the polls in real time. Two training sessions are required before your first shift. If you sign up for Election Day, you must also complete at least one shift during early voting to familiarize yourself with the system first.

Early Voting: At least 1 shift of 2 hours required before Election Day during Early Voting
Election Day: 1 shift of 2 to 4 hours on November 3rd - virtual from your own device

Sign up here: Election Protection Hotline