CAPE CORAL, FLA — You've made your plan and now it's time to vote.
But when you get right down to it, there may be some barriers to the process. And several elections watchdog groups want to make sure you know your rights as voter.
One of the being Liza McClenaghan, the State Chair for Common Cause Florida.
When it comes to voting by mail, if you mess up, she says you a can get a new ballot ahead of election day.
"You can request a new ballot from the supervisor of elections. There's no time to mail it to you so you can go to the office to pick on up," McClenaghan said.
Now let's talk in person voting. McClenaghan says you have a right to ADA compliant equipment and assistance of your choosing.
"So you can bring anybody you'd like to assist you in the voting process as long as it's not your employer or your union representative. They don't have to be a citizen, they don't have to be over 18, and they don't have to be a registered voter," she said.
And as long as you're in line by 7 p.m. on election night, at your correct polling place, you have the right to vote. No matter how long you have to wait.
And *two elections officials should be on hand to determine the cut off point.
"Together they'll got to the end of the line and they'll identify the last person in line at 7 o'clock," said McClenaghan.
Elections watchdogs like Damon Hewitt, Executive Vice President of the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, also warn of voter intimidation at or around the polls..
"You may also engage with people who don't want you to vote," he said.
If you do meet up with someone who you think is feeding you false info or trying to scare you, Hewitt says you shouldn't talk to them and put physical distance between you and the person if need be.
Once that's done he says you should call your local elections officials and then give him a call.
"Make sure you document the issue and give us a chance to help you at the lawyer's committee and the election protection coalition and the election protection hotline."
The Election Protection hotline number is 866-687-8683.
