Power Coalition & Partners to Provide Rides to the Polls & Voter Protection on Election Day
The Power Coalition for Equity and Justice (PCEJ) and our partners will be joining forces to protect voters and provide rides to the polls all Election Day long. Louisiana voters can visit powercoalition.org to find their polling place, sample ballot, a ride to the polls, and more important election information, and call 866-OUR-VOTE if they experience problems voting.
NEW ORLEANS, LA | November 2, 2020—Nearly 1 million Louisianans have already cast their ballots this election season, and another 1 million-plus are expected to vote on Election Day, tomorrow, Tuesday, November 3, when polls will be open from 6:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
“The Power Coalition and our partners have already made more than 1.2 million voter contacts over the past couple of months, where we’ve talked to folks about how important it is for them to use their voice by voting in every race on their ballot,” said PCEJ Executive Director Ashley Shelton. “We’re incredibly excited to see the immense amount of energy around this election, which is reflected in the big turnout numbers, and we are excited to support and carry that momentum through to Election Day.”
Throughout the day, the Power Coalition for Equity and Justice (PCEJ), our friends at Voice of the Experienced (VOTE), and our many other partners will be providing rides to the polls, voter protection services, and other information and support to people across Louisiana. On our website (https://powercoalition.org), we provide links where people can find their polling place, get a ride to the polls or volunteer to give rides to the polls, download a sample ballot, learn about their voting rights, and find out what they need to bring to the polls with them.
Election Protection
This election is likely to draw the highest voter turnout of any in modern history, and it’s imperative we ensure that everyone gets to exercise their franchise. That’s why we’re teaming up with the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under the Law, the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, and State Voices to run the Election Protection hotline in Louisiana. Voters experiencing any problems at the polls can call 1-866-OUR-VOTE, where legal aid will be on-call to answer questions and troubleshoot issues in real-time. We will also be monitoring social media for reported voting problems.
Rides to the Polls
Along with our voter protection work, we’ll also be helping people get rides to the polls all across the state. All of our rides to the polls information is available at https://powercoalition.org/powerrides/, where people can request a ride or volunteer to give rides.
To reserve a ride in New Orleans, people can call us at 504-434-2299 or Rhodes Funeral Home at 504-943 3422 (our second year in a row partnering with Rhodes); in Baton Rouge, they can call 225-317-9028; in Shreveport, they can call 318-615-9203; and in Lafayette, they can call 337-385-3887. We have laid out a strict set of health guidelines for this program, and will be asking people to sign a waiver.
People can also fill out a ride request online, including requesting discount codes for Lyft, at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc7ggqTWNxR-mLTSc8HsqIw7vT1KM7hekj38czyEcvq5-pgrg/viewform. And public transportation will also be free on Election Day in both New Orleans (RTA–busses and streetcars) and Baton Rouge (CATS–busses).
Events
- 8:00 – 10:00 a.m.: MetroMorphosis, BR for the People, Together Baton Rouge, and the Power Coalition will be hosting a rally downtown Baton Rouge, at 251 Florida Street, to encourage the youth to get out and vote!
- 8:00 – 10:00 a.m.: Breakfast & Vote. Pick up some breakfast and a sample at St. Paul Baptist Church, 10438 Boudreaux Rd., Gonzales, LA 70737, then go vote.
- 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.: Virtual Power Coalition Voting Rally, featuring faith leaders and community organizers from all over Louisiana. Register at bit.ly/ElectionKickback2020.
The Power Coalition for Equity and Justice works to build voice and power in traditionally ignored communities. We are a coalition of groups from across Louisiana whose mission is to organize in impacted communities, educate and turn out voters, and fight for policies that create a more equitable and just system in Louisiana.
Who: Power Coalition for Equity and Justice (PCEJ), Voice of the Experienced (VOTE), Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under the Law, NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, State Voices, Rhodes Funeral Home, MetroMorphosis, BR for the People, Together Baton Rouge
What: Power Coalition for Equity and Justice, Voice of the Experienced, and other partners to protect voters, provide rides to the polls, and host events across Louisiana during Election Day, Tuesday, November 3.
When: November 3, 2020
Contacts:
Ashley Shelton, Executive Director, Power Coalition for Equity and Justice, (225) 802-2435, ashelton@powercoalition.org
Peter Robins-Brown, Communications Director, Power Coalition for Equity and Justice, (504) 256-8196, prb@powercoalition.org