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Election season is almost over, and Election Day – Nov. 3 – is nearly here. If you’re voting in person this year (or have already voted in person via early voting), we want to know what your experience at the polls – good or bad – was like. See below for details on how to share your story and photos with us.

There is so much to be confident about in this unusual election season. Millions of people are getting out to vote early or by mail. Record numbers of absentee ballots have been requested and returned. Lots of people who have never worked as poll workers before are signing up to do their part. All over the country, people are engaged, fired up and ready to do what it takes to make sure every vote counts.

Those encouraging signs are important, because we know that many communities have good reason to be concerned about fair access to the ballot – especially the communities we serve in the Deep South. Since 2013, when the Supreme Court gutted the heart of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, many states have passed voter suppression laws that target historically disenfranchised communities, particularly Black, Indigenous, Latinx and Asian American voters. Without the protections of Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act, states and local jurisdictions are free to implement election changes without a federal determination that voters won’t be harmed.

Add to that the general difficulties posed by conducting an election during a pandemic – not to mention the threat of illegal voter intimidation during a politically polarized election cycle – and it’s easy to understand why many people are worried about the logistics of this election and the safety of casting a ballot. That’s why the Southern Poverty Law Center wants our supporters to photograph and share their experiences at the polls – good or bad – this year, if they are able.

First, some important notes:

• We do not want you to put yourself in harm’s way to vote. Please follow all social distancing protocols and other guidelines related to COVID-19. If your locality allows voting via drop box, we encourage you to take advantage of it.
• Some states do not allow voters to take and post photos of their completed ballots. You can check whether your state allows “ballot selfies” here. Please follow the rules and regulations related to photography at your specific polling place.
• If you need immediate assistance voting, or experience words or actions that make you feel nervous at your polling place, please call the national, nonpartisan Election Protection hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE.

If you have photos of your voting experience to share with us, here are three ways you can do so:

1. Share your photos with us on social media (Facebook, Instagram or Twitter) by tagging us at @splcenter and/or using the hashtags #WeVote and #WhyIVote.
2. Email your photos to us at [email protected].
3. Submit your photos to us through our website here.

When you submit your photos, please include basic information about where and when the photos were taken and what they show. And if you have additional details or stories to share about your voting experience, please call our hotline: 877-358-0028.

Thank you for helping us track whether voting in this election will be safe, secure and accessible for all. We are excited about this chance for Americans of all stripes to participate in our democracy – especially given the unusual circumstances of this election year – and we hope you are feeling the enthusiasm, too!

In solidarity,

Your friends at the SPLC