1. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS GUIDES IN AAPI LANGUAGES
Know Your Rights Guides Available In:
- English
- Chinese
- Korean
- Spanish
- Arabic
Know Your Rights Mini-Cards Available In 17 AAPI Languages: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1bUQp912kX9WTeS0ubMXnn6KGE8Bd5MPG
(Courtesy of Asian Americans Advancing Justice, Immigrant Legal Resource Center and South Asian American Policy & Research Institute)
2. KNOW YOUR VOTING RIGHTS
- The 14th Amendment extends citizenship to all natural born or naturalized Americans regardless of race and guarantees that rights of citizenship, such as voting, cannot be restricted by the states.
- The 15th Amendment prohibits restricting the right to vote due to race.
- The 19th Amendment extends voting rights to all women.
- The 26th Amendment extends the right to vote to everyone 18 years of age and older.
- Additionally, the 24th Amendment explicitly bans poll taxes, which often prevented low-income citizens of all races from voting.
3. MAKE A PLAN TO VOTE
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Check your voter registration status.
Some states may have early deadlines while others may allow same-day registration. -
Check your state Voter ID laws, if any, for a list of accepted forms of ID.
- Voters abroad: visit VoteFromAbroad.org. You can get assistance in the chat box or in a live Zoom session.
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Voters in the US: visit VoteRiders.org to find your state ID laws or contact them for assistance at 866-432-8683
Check your voting locations. Find Language Assistance.
Some centers are assigned by voting precinct, other areas may be different. Check with your local election administration or tax office on their language assistance resources.
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Mark your calendar, review voting dates and times.
Voting dates vary state to state and times may vary locally. - Register and request your ballot be sent to you at VoteFromAbroad.org.
4. VOLUNTEER FOR VOTER PROTECTION PROGRAMS
Be the reason the midterm elections are fair. Volunteer for voter protection programs across the country.
Available Volunteer Roles:
- Voter Assistance
- Voter Protection
Please visit our volunteer survey and sign up!
5. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS WHEN DEALING WITH IMMIGRATION
- The 4th Amendment protects every “person” from unreasonable searches and seizures and allows people to remain silent rather than being a witness against themselves; while the 5th Amendment guarantees every “person” due process of law.
- These Amendments mean that regardless of citizenship status or national origin, we all have the right to remain silent (5th) and refuse entry into our homes (4th) and refuse permission to search our belongings and refuse warrantless entry into our homes (4th) and decline to consent to a search of our belongings (4th).
6. EXERCISING YOUR RIGHTS - WHAT TO SAY WHEN DEALING WITH IMMIGRATION
I do not wish to speak with you, answer your questions, or sign or hand you any documents based on my 5th Amendment rights under the U.S. Constitution.
I do not give you permission to enter my home based on my 4th Amendment rights under the U.S. Constitution unless you have a warrant to enter, signed by a judge or magistrate that you slide under the door.
I do not give you permission to search any of my belongings based on my 4th Amendment rights. I choose to exercise my constitutional rights.
7. HOW TO RESPOND TO INTIMIDATION OR IMMIGRATION
Beforehand:
- Carry U.S. issued ID and/or copies proving citizenship or legal documentation. State ID or passports are good. Keep copies of birth certificates or naturalization papers. Avoid carrying the originals.
- Carry red cards for you and others. Practice saying your rights out loud to help assert your legal rights.
- Know your resources. State and local governments plus groups like the DNC have resources to report intimidation or find support.
During:
- Document. You can record without impeding activity. This serves to record violation and abuse of constitutional rights.
- Remain calm. Gather information. S.A.L.U.T.E.
- Size: How many agents present?
- Activity: What are they doing?
- Location: Where is this happening specifically?
- Uniform: What type of vehicle do you see? Any specific logo? Which department is involved?
- Time: When did it start and end? Is it ongoing?
- Equipment: What tools or other things of note did they have?