Election Protection Toolkit
You don’t need to be an expert to make a difference. Start with one action.
Taking Action to Protect Free and Fair Elections
Free and fair elections don’t happen on their own. They are carried out – and protected – by everyday Americans.
Across the country, voters, election workers, and public officials are working to ensure elections are secure, accurate, and accessible. But they can’t do it alone.
This is where you come in.
Why This Matters
Our elections are built on transparency, accountability, and public participation. Thousands of Americans – from poll workers to local officials – work together across political lines to ensure every eligible vote is counted accurately.
But these systems depend on public trust and engagement.
Protecting elections isn’t just a government responsibility. It’s a shared one.
How You Can Take Action
1. Help More People Vote
The Challenge: Too many eligible voters don’t participate – due to confusion, missed deadlines, or lack of a plan.
Take Action:
- Encourage people in your life to register to vote
- Help someone make a clear voting plan
- Share accurate voting information with your network
Why It Matters: Even small increases in participation can shape election outcomes.
Timing: Now through Election Day
Resources:
2. Support Election Workers
The Challenge: Elections rely on a large, temporary workforce. Shortages can lead to long lines and delays.
Take Action:
- Sign up to be a poll worker
- Encourage others in your community to step up
Why It Matters: Well-staffed polling places ensure smooth, accessible elections for everyone.
Timing: Now through late summer
Resources:
3. Stand with Election Officials
The Challenge: Election officials are facing increasing pressure and harassment.
Take Action:
- Attend local election board meetings
- Speak up in support of fair and impartial election administration
- Send messages of appreciation to election officials in your community and across the country
Why It Matters: Public support helps election officials do their jobs with confidence and integrity.
Timing: Now through December 2026
Resources:
4. Stop the Spread of False Information about Elections
The Challenge: False or misleading information about elections can spread quickly and erode trust.
Take Action:
- Share accurate, verified election information
- Respectfully correct misinformation and false narratives in your personal networks. Lead with curiosity and facts, not shame or arguments
- Direct people to trusted, official sources
- Encourage people to ask where information came from before sharing it and to check multiple reliable sources before believing or reposting claims
Why It Matters: People trust information they receive from people they know. Your voice is powerful. Encouraging habits of verification and critical thinking can protect against the spread of falsehoods and strengthen confidence in elections.
Timing: All year
Resources:
5. Hold Leaders Accountable for Ensuring Fair Elections
The Challenge: Some elected officials may attempt to pressure election officials, manipulate rules, interfere with or delay certification, or cast doubt on lawful results.
Take Action:
- Contact elected officials and candidates
- Ask them to commit to fair and peaceful election practices and to respect lawful results
- Tell them to oppose intimidation, political interference, and executive branch interference in election administration
- Support leaders who defend free and fair elections
- Speak out when officials spread false claims or excuse misconduct
Why It Matters: Accountability helps protect the integrity, trust, and fairness of the election process.
Timing: All year
Resources:
6. Monitor Elections Responsibly
The Challenge: Election oversight is important – but must be conducted lawfully and responsibly.
Take Action:
- Sign up to be a trained nonpartisan election observer or party poll watcher
- Learn the rules, voter protections, and reporting procedures in advance
- Follow all instructions from election officials and poll workers
Why It Matters: Responsible oversight strengthens transparency and public confidence.
Timing: Election Day
Resources:
7. Report Issues
The Challenge: Problems like voter intimidation or interference can happen in real time.
Take Action
- Report voter intimidation, harassment of election officials, and attempts to interfere with voting
- Use official election protection hotlines
Why It Matters: Timely reporting helps ensure issues are addressed quickly.
Timing: Early voting through Election Day
Resources:
- Hotline Information:
- Call or text the Election Protection Hotline to connect with a trained volunteer or to report voting issues: 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) or info@866ourvote.org
- Spanish/English 888-VE-Y-VOTA (888-839-8682)
- Asian Languages/English 888-API-VOTE (888-274-8683)
- Arabic/English 844-YALLA-US (844-925-5287)
8. Stay Engaged Year-Round
The Challenge: Election protection doesn’t begin or end on Election Day.
Take Action:
- Stay informed about election policies and processes
- Support nonpartisan election protection efforts
- Keep conversations about voting going year-round
Why It Matters: Strong elections are built over time – not just during election season.
Timing: All year
Resources:
- How Elections Work: Key Election Information and Resources
- Vote411: Personalized Ballot and Candidate Information
- Rock the Vote: Democracy Explainers
- Bipartisan Policy Center: What to Know About U.S. Elections
- Ballotpedia: Election Dates Calendar
- Follow Election Protection on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook for nonpartisan information about voting, and share the info with your friends.
- Verified Voting Foundation: Sign Up for Voting News
- Follow local and state Board of Elections on social media
Tell Congress: Protect Free & Fair Elections
There are many ways to get involved -- and contacting your elected officials is one way to make your voice heard.
