The Obama website has information for lawyers who are interested in protecting voters' rights here.
If you're in Florida, you can also get more info about volunteering to help at the polls here.
As the email I got earlier this summer said:
The effort to promote and protect the vote has begun -- and it needs volunteers. Earlier than ever before, in a more comprehensive fashion than ever before, building on three years of base work and an extensive primary season, we're making sure that every eligible citizen who wants to vote can, and that the vote will count.
If you're not a lawyer, you can still help in the Voter Protection Program. You can click on your state on the map, and see what the rules/laws/procedures are for voting in your state, and how to cast a provisional ballot if there's a problem at the poll for you in November.
During the 2004 election, I was a poll attorney here in Florida - which was, of course, both Ground Zero and Holy Ground for making sure that voters had the chance to vote, and that their votes were counted. Back then I was five months pregnant and worked the poll from about 6:30 in the morning until about 8 PM, and it was a fascinating experience. Here's a bit from the liveblogging I did on my personal journal at the time:
Approx 9 AM
It's quiet here now, but the line is amazingly long.
When I arrived, along with another lawyer from the campaign, they wouldn't let us in - some issue about them not having our names on the lst that had been submitted two weeks ago - and the clerk threatened to call the police if I was upset. Not a nice or sane thing to say to pregnant!woman. She also threatened to have us removed if we spoke to the people in line. Two voters waiting in line whipped out their cellphones to call the cops to have us arrested, as well, which was very scary. Finally, at about 710, 45 minutes after I'd arrived, the clerk came back and said we could go in - she'd gotten our names confirmed with someone who had a clue at the supervisor's office. The first person she'd spoken to was an idiot.
So now I'm inside with my cashews & water bottle, and I don't think I'm going to end the day in jail. The line is long but people are patient and the room itself is a nice temperature.
Approx 4 PM
The clerk here at our poll is rather intimidating. She's threatened to have us arrested, thrown out and banned from the room, but she always relents. She won't let us talk to voters here in the room but finally promised that if we left to help anyone, she'd let us back in.
And worst of all, neither she nor the election advisor (who communicates with the supervisor's office) will tell people that they can vote a provisional ballot. It's only after people have become frustrated and leave, or if they know to ask for it when they talk to the clerk, that they can get it. But so far, only one person's walked out without voting. Not a terrible record for a double-precinct.
Please note - I'm not affiliated with the Obama campaign at all. I'm hoping to be a part of the Florida Democratic Lawyers Council project for the election, but just as an ordinary volunteer. Oh, and this is my first diary here, after lurking for over four years. Hi!