Meet Jeanne: The Volunteer Who’s Protecting Your Right To Vote

Meet Jeanne*! A dedicated advocate for fair and accessible elections, Jeanne has volunteered with the Texas Civil Rights Project’s Election Protection program and with other organizations since 2020.

Thanks to supporters like you, the Texas Civil Rights Project can recruit, train, and mobilize Election Protection (EP) volunteers across the state. Volunteers like Jeanne make a difference during critical elections, including local elections held earlier this month and the 2024 presidential election. Together, we're not only defending the right to vote—we're building a culture of care and community around it.

“My first experience as a volunteer with EP was in fall of 2020, when I did several Poll Monitor shifts in my county at one of the more popular early voting locations. The responsibilities were to be a resource for any issue. I had the EP toolkit with ID examples, additional info on terms like provisional voting and statement of residency.  I also loved having the phone number and hotline where the voter could obtain reliable, factual assistance. Since then, I have volunteered with EP every year and even completed roving shifts to other polling locations.”

Jeanne

When Jeanne volunteered with Election Protection, she encountered voters with urgent, practical questions: "What will be on the ballot?" "Will a paper ID be allowed?" "My address is old — can I still vote?" "Do they have drive-thru voting here?" and more.

She also saw firsthand how seemingly small barriers could cause real confusion — like in the fall of 2024, when voters struggled to find curbside voting parking in a crowded lot. Following Election Protection’s guidance, Jeanne and other EP volunteers were able to advocate for clearer signage and a dedicated parking spot within just a few days.

As an on-site volunteer, Jeanne relied on the Election Protection information toolkit and hotline to provide clear, reliable answers in real-time. Because of these resources, she was able to help voters navigate confusion and move forward with confidence. Your support makes this possible, ensuring volunteers across Texas have the tools to stand with voters and protect their rights at the polls.

Volunteers like Jeanne are the heart of our democracy. Their work doesn't always make headlines, but it makes all the difference for the voters they helped.

For Jeanne, what sticks with her about this work is the experience of seeing voters show up to have their voices heard — and being able to support them through the process.

As she puts it: "It is a great experience to see the intricacies of the voting process, where people go to voice their opinion because it matters. If you are also able to support someone with any little question or just to relieve some tension, you will walk away on a high."

Calls answered, questions resolved, and voters supported are possible because of your commitment to this work. When you support the Texas Civil Rights Project, you help ensure that trained, compassionate volunteers like Jeanne are there when it counts most—on the frontlines of democracy, protecting the rights of Texans.

Jeanne's experience on the ground showed how Election Protection volunteers do more than answer questions—they help identify and address systemic barriers to voting.

“We also noted instances of electioneering outside the 100 ft line, but within 10 feet of the curbside voting designated area. The voter reported that it was distracting and intimidating. We then called into the hotline, who steered us toward Disability Rights Texas. Today, I understand that there is current legislation underway to address this issue. The cycle of seeing the issue, working to find out who can address it, and potentially getting resolution was productive and gratifying.”

Jeanne

Jeanne is one of hundreds of Election Protection volunteers across Texas who show up when voters need support. At a time when access to the ballot is under threat, this work is more essential than ever. In moments of disenfranchisement, we come together, not just to respond, but to care for one another and protect our shared rights. This is what community looks like in action.

Thank you for being part of this community. Your support ensures that Election Protection volunteers like Jeanne have the tools, training, and resources they need to protect voters — and helps us meet every election’s challenges, one voter at a time, with care and determination.

*denotes name change