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1.28.2008

aaldef's asian american election protection project

AALDEF, the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund, recently announced the details for its Asian American Election Protection Project for the 2008 Presidential Primary Elections. Attorneys, law students, and community volunteers will cover a hundred poll sites in four states where Asian language voter assistance is provided and where Asian Americans reported voting barriers or intimidation in recent elections.

They'll be monitoring elections in New York and New Jersey on Super Tuesday, February 5, and in Virginia and Maryland on February 12 for language assistance (ballots, interpreters, signs and voting materials) and non-discriminatory implementation of voter identification requirements.

Volunteers speaking Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese will be at poll sites to take complaints from voters about election irregularities and other obstacles. Voters can also report Election Day problems to AALDEF's toll-free hotline at 800.966.5946, or by e-mail to votingcomplaints@aaldef.org. One-hour training sessions for volunteers will take place at the following locations:
NEW YORK and NEW JERSEY - Monday, Jan. 28
12 Noon - Weil Gotshal & Manges LLP, 767 Fifth Avenue, at 59th St.,Midtown Manhattan

NEW YORK and NEW JERSEY - Tuesday, Jan. 29
12 Noon - Shearman & Sterling, 599 Lexington Avenue at 53rd St., Midtown Manhattan
6:30 PM - White & Case, 1155 Avenue of the Americas, bet. 44th / 45th Sts., Midtown Manhattan

NEW JERSEY - Saturday, Feb. 2
3:00 PM - KAVC, 1562 Lemoine Ave, Fort Lee , NJ

WASHINGTON, DC / VIRGINIA - Monday, Feb. 11
12 Noon - Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe, 1152 15th Street, bet. L and M Sts., N.W., Washington, DC
6:00 PM - APALRC, 1600 K Street, N.W., Washington, DC
For more information on AALDEF and the work their doing on Election Day, go here. Also be sure to read their recent report on discrimination faced by Asian American voters. Poll monitoring will help ensure that all eligible Asian American voters can participate in the electoral process and have their votes counted.