People need to check to see that they are listed in the rolls of active voters.  They can go online to: www.elections.state.ny.us, (click on "Voting Information" on the left side), or call their County Board of Elections:

                    In Albany County, the number is 487-5060;

                    In Rensselaer County, it is 270-2990; and 

                    In Schenectady County, it is 377-2469.

             Don't wait until the last minute.  It is too late to register now, but not too late to protest if you believe you should be registered and active.  If a voter has not voted in the last two presidential elections, their name would have been put into the status of "inactive".  Voters should bring some type of ID, with address, picture preferred, to prove that they are who they say they are, and that they live where they say they live.  This is not required by law, but if their names are not in the books, this will help.

            If you are told your name is not in the book, you should ask for a "provisional ballot".  If you can prove you in fact have the right to vote in the polling place where you are, your provisional ballot will be counted later, if the race is close enough.  This is better than not voting at all.  Poll workers are not necessarily required to tell you about these provisional ballots, voters need to know to ask for them. If a voter is listed in the book as unqualified to vote, it is important that they find out just what category they are listed in, or why they are not allowed to vote on the machines. Then the voters need to contact their county board of election, even after election day (soon after), to seek to prove that they had the right to vote.  Otherwise the provisional ballot will not be counted, no matter what.

            Is it possible for you to see if people in your organization, church, or neighborhood can see if people with cars would be willing to provide transportation for those people who cannot drive or walk to their pollsite?

            Also, if there is anything that seems not right at the polling site, make a note of it and contact your BOE as soon as possible- preferably before the polls close.  And call 1-866-OUR-VOTE.  This number is especially good while the polls are still open.  After election day, you can call the same number, or the NY Democratic Lawyers Council, at (212)-725-8825.  But don't let these things go by unreported, especially if you are pretty certain something was wrong.

           Albany County is also still in need of poll workers, and they will provide the training.  Polling sites with inadequate numbers of poll workers are an invitation for problems and longer waiting times on election day, especially with record numbers of registered voters this year.  Please call the Albany Co. BOE.  Their number is 487-5060.

         These are most of the main precautions people should take to make sure our Democracy operates as it should.  The importance of vigilance for this election cannot be overstated.  Please forward this information on to others, and especially to those who can spread it around, such as pastors, organization leaders, etc.