FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Zachary Stalberg President and CEO (215) 557-3600, ext. 106 (267) 241-1628 (cell)

Election 2012
OVER 800 NON-PARTISAN VOLUNTEERS READY TO HELP VOTERS IN COMMITTEE OF SEVENTYS ELECTION DAY PROGRAM
WHAT: The Committee of Seventys Election Day program has recruited and trained more than 800 non-partisan volunteers to make tomorrows voting process easier and better for voters in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties. It marks the first time that Seventy is expanding its election program into the suburbs. 120 of those volunteers will be on telephones, answering voters questions. Voters can call 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683), and a volunteer will

answer their call, field their question, and assist their process of voting.
Tomorrows Election Day program the largest in Seventys 108-year-old history -also features exit polling of Philadelphia voters from 7 a.m. 11 a.m. to determine whether they would have been prepared to show a photo ID if the states controversial voter ID law was in effect. The purpose of the exit polling is to help determine how many city voters might need a photo ID if the law, which has been blocked for in-person voters tomorrow, is in place for future elections. WHO: Members of the news media are invited to observe Seventys Election Day Program in action and to visit the polls with our volunteers. Food and wireless access to the Internet are available at Seventys office. WHEN: Tuesday, November 6, 2012, 7:00 a.m. 8:00 p.m.

WHERE:

The Committee of Seventy, Eight Penn Center, 1628 JFK Blvd., Ste. 1002, Philadelphia, PA 19103.

CALLS:

Call 215-557-3600 (extensions below) or reach Election Day staff by cell phone or e-mail: ext. 106; 267-241-1628, ext. 102; 215-470-8316,

Zack Stalberg, President and CEO: zstalberg@seventy.org Ellen Kaplan, VP and Policy Director: ekaplan@seventy.org

Luke McKinstry, Head of Election Program ext. 112; 484-574-3466, lmckinstry@seventy.org Joe Grace, News Media/Communications: jgrace@seventy.org Background: The Committee of Seventy, which conducts the nations oldest non-partisan Election Day Program, will send out over 800 trained volunteers to help monitor polling places throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania for the November 6 General Election. Significant features of Seventys program include: ext. 110; 215-964-7093,

A highly structured, 5-county operation designed to ensure that questions, concerns, or problems at polling places throughout the Philadelphia region are answered and handled promptly and efficiently. The polls are open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683) HOTLINE for voters to report problems at the polls. Volunteers or law enforcement representatives, if needed, will be dispatched by Seventy to resolve issues called into the hotline. News media representatives are encouraged to report and broadcast the Hotline number. Exit Polls on Voter ID: Seventys volunteers will be stationed at selected Philadelphia polling places to get a sense of whether voters would have been prepared for the voter ID law if the law had been in effect. Contact Ellen Mattleman Kaplan for more details. International Visitors: Seventy is hosting international visitors, including members of the Russian consulate in New York, who are interested in observing local elections.

Eight Penn Center 1628 JFK Boulevard Suite 1002 Philadelphia, PA 19103 p. 215-557-3600 f. 215-557-3608 www.seventy.org

Regular Media Updates: Seventy will provide the media with regular updates on whats happening at polling places throughout Election Day. Contact Joe Grace to make sure youre on Seventys media list. Partnerships with the City Commissioners and law enforcement agencies in Philadelphia. Seventy is working closely with Philadelphia City Commissioners to help city voters have a good experience at the polls. The public/private partnership extends to law enforcement. Representatives from the D.A.S office and citys Law Department will be stationed in Seventys office to handle any serious problems throughout the day. Personnel from the U.S. Attorneys Office will be available as needed. Comprehensive Election Information: Seventys website www.seventy.org has extensive information on the elections and practical advice for voters. For example, NO PHOTO ID FOR NOW, is a Q&A guide for voters who are still confused about Pennsylvanias voter ID law. It can be viewed at: http://www.seventy.org/OurViews_How_Philly_Works_No_Photo_IDFor_Now_Practical _Advice_for_Voting_on_November_6.aspx.

The Committee of Seventy is a non-partisan organization fighting for clean elections. To learn more about Seventy and the 2012 elections, go to www.seventy.org.

Eight Penn Center 1628 JFK Boulevard Suite 1002 Philadelphia, PA 19103 p. 215-557-3600 f. 215-557-3608 www.seventy.org