Introduction

The 866-OUR-VOTE Election Protection Hotline is a nonpartisan service providing voting information to those contacting the hotline. Hotline volunteers are integral to this mission. The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law staff, as administrators of the 866-OUR-VOTE hotline, will work to ensure that hotline volunteers’ rights are observed. Hotline volunteers must abide by the following code of conduct.

Volunteer Rights

Election Protection hotline volunteers have the right to:

A clear explanation of the hotline leadership structure;
A clear explanation of the hotline volunteer requirements;
Appropriate training;
Access to accurate substantive resources;
A positive volunteer experience;
Provide feedback on the volunteer experience and have the input acknowledged by staff; and
Be free from discrimination, harassment, intimidation, bullying, or coercion from staff and other volunteers.

Volunteer Responsibilities and Code of Conduct

Election Protection hotline volunteers are responsible for:

Remaining nonpartisan in all activities related to and performed for the Election Protection program;
Representing themselves as a trained volunteer, not as an attorney for Election Protection, the 866OurVote hotline, or for callers;
Refraining from volunteering for Election Protection while running for office or employed by a political party or campaign.
Maintaining confidentiality and privacy of those who contact the hotline, other volunteers, and the law firms that participate in Election Protection;
Completing all requirements and trainings before the start of the first shift;
Using Our Vote Live (OVL) and other hotline platforms in the manner instructed;
Giving the best possible information to voters, based on the resources available and/or consultation with hotline leadership;
Using established issue escalation procedures in contact centers and command centers;
Being on time for shifts and remaining available and responsive during the entire shift;
Taking interactions during the entire shift and not scheduling meetings or taking client calls during the shift.
Canceling shifts in the volunteer portal if your schedule changes and you can no longer volunteer;
Following contact center procedures as detailed during training, in volunteer resources, and as directed by Election Protection staff and volunteer leaders during the shift;
If part of command center structure, following the established escalation protocols for issue resolution and voter follow-up and coordinating with local and national Election Protection leadership; and
Acting responsibly and with integrity during hotline shifts and treating with respect all individuals engaged under the mission of Election Protection.

Privacy Policy

To the extent that information disclosed to me by an individual contacting the hotline or by personnel working for the Election Protection Program is confidential or private in nature, I will not disclose such information without prior written authorization. Additionally, in the event that any confidential information or material relating to the law firms or organizations that are hosting and supporting Election Protection Program activities is disclosed to me, whether or not such disclosure is voluntary or accidental, I shall not make any further disclosure of any such information or material.

I shall keep confidential and follow established online incident reporting procedures for handling certain information, such as personally-identifiable information about callers who report election incidents. I will not redistribute private emails or other private communications without prior written permission from the person(s) whose private information would be disclosed by my actions and authorization from the Election Protection program to disclose such information. While acting as an Election Protection volunteer or otherwise acting in the name of Election Protection, I will not make partisan political statements in support of or in opposition to any candidate for public office or any ballot measure. This prohibition includes, but is not limited to, posts on social media, a blog, tweeting, texting or other forms of verbal or written communication. I will not knowingly engage in illegal distribution practices when posting incidents and other information into the online incident reporting system. Some examples of illegal distribution are: posting large portions of copyrighted material; posting libelous material; posting material that knowingly aids in a crime; posting a credit card number; or posting passwords.

I will not attempt to gain unauthorized access to any Election Protection platforms nor use them to gain unauthorized access to other systems. I will not use any Election Protection platforms to harass individuals or organizations.

Indemnification

I understand and acknowledge that I may be personally liable for any negligent or intentional acts or omissions by me causing injury to others, including but not limited to: (i) unauthorized use or disclosure of confidential or private information; (ii) unauthorized use of copyrighted material; and/or (iii) any other violation of this Code of Conduct. I will not seek indemnification from, or otherwise hold liable, the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law for any such conduct by me that results in a claim by third parties against me.

Attestation

I understand that any violation of this Code of Conduct or Privacy Policy may result in termination of my volunteer status and may have other negative consequences.

I warrant and represent that I am participating in this nonpartisan project to improve the election process, promote voter enfranchisement, and ensure that every vote counts as intended by the voter. I will not disrupt the election process or interfere in any way with the legal duties of poll workers and election officials. I understand the Election Protection Program is a nonpartisan effort and agree that during my volunteer shift I will not elicit or convey to any person seeking assistance any partisan information. I have read, understand, and agree to the Election Protection Program Volunteer Rights, Responsibilities, Code of Conduct, Privacy Policy and Indemnification described above.