The Missouri Voter Protection Coalition trains hundreds of volunteers to observe polling places and staffs the nonpartisan 866-OUR-VOTE hotline with attorneys and legal professionals. Volunteers help voters address accessibility barriers, misinformation, intimidation, identification questions and other problems while relaying operational issues to election officials.
Why It Matters
This is a concrete example of residents helping protect access to the ballot without administering the election or working for a political campaign. The combination of observation, legal assistance and real-time communication can resolve small problems before they prevent eligible voters from participating.