Know your rights.
Find your voice.
Protect your future.
A clearer path through election law for African and Caribbean immigrant communities across the United States. Understand voting eligibility, recognize barriers, and find trusted help for you and your family.
For naturalized citizens, noncitizens, mixed-status families, and community advocates.
Informed.
Protected.
Empowered.
Citizenship & eligibility
Language access & voting rights
Trusted legal information
OUR RIGHTS.
OUR FUTURE.
Different circumstances.
Clear starting points.
Your country of birth is not the same as your citizenship status. Voting eligibility depends on citizenship and the rules where you live.
Your citizenship includes a voice.
Naturalized citizens can vote when they meet their state’s age, residency, registration, and other eligibility rules. Dual citizenship does not by itself disqualify a U.S. citizen.
Review eligibility guidance →Check before you register.
Noncitizens—including green card holders—cannot vote in federal or state elections. A few jurisdictions permit certain noncitizens to vote in specific local elections. That does not authorize voting in other elections.
Find qualified legal help →Get clarity before taking action.
For naturalization applicants, passing the interview is not the final step. USCIS explains that citizenship begins with the Oath of Allegiance. Seek individual legal guidance if your citizenship is uncertain.
Understand naturalization →
Protection is more
than a promise.
Use these legal starting points to ask informed questions. State rules, court orders, and individual circumstances also matter.
Help in the language you understand.
Eligible voters who need reading or writing assistance may choose someone to help, including for language needs. Employer and union-related exceptions apply.
Voting Rights Act §208 / DOJ guide →Freedom from intimidation.
Federal law prohibits intimidation, threats, coercion, and attempts connected to voting. Contact Election Protection about harassment or a possible voting rights violation.
Voting Rights Act §11(b) / DOJ fact sheet →Translated election materials.
Section 203 requires specified jurisdictions to provide assistance in designated covered languages. It does not guarantee a translated ballot in every language or location.
Voting Rights Act §203 / DOJ guidance →Equal access to the voting process.
Federal protections address racial discrimination and access for voters with disabilities. Safely document barriers and ask for assistance.
Voting Rights Act §2 & ADA →What brings you here?
Choose a topic, not an immigration status. This tool points to information; it does not determine eligibility or provide legal advice.
Your selection stays in this page. This tool does not ask for your name, immigration status, or documents.
Start with citizenship, then state rules.
After completing naturalization, review your state’s eligibility and registration requirements. Use official sources for deadlines and identification rules.
Find my state’s rules →
Trusted expertise.
Connected to your needs.
Independent resources, organized by audience. Inclusion does not imply a partnership, endorsement, or guarantee of representation.
8 resources
Election Protection
National nonpartisan voter assistance. Contact 866-OUR-VOTE about registration, polling barriers, and election problems.
Find voter help →Public Rights Project
The Election Protection Hub supports local election officials through legal advocacy, training, and election administration resources.
Explore the Election Protection Hub →Fair Elections Center
Voting and policy resources, including state guides, language access materials, rights at the polls, and a noncitizen voting factsheet.
Explore voting resources →Common Cause
Learn about voter assistance, volunteer poll monitoring, election protection, and opportunities for people with a legal background.
Explore election protection →U.S. Department of Justice
Federal voting rights guidance covering discrimination, intimidation, language assistance, and accessibility.
Read federal guidance →Vote.gov
Select your state or territory to find official registration information. Deadlines, identification rules, and voting options vary.
Choose your state or territory →DOJ Recognition & Accreditation Rosters
Find recognized nonprofit organizations and accredited representatives. Verify current accreditation and the scope of services before proceeding.
Find recognized organizations →USCIS
Understand the naturalization process and when an applicant becomes a U.S. citizen. Seek individual legal advice about past registration or voting.
Review naturalization guidance →No matching resources. Try another search or filter.
A voting concern?
Start a conversation.
866-OUR-VOTE →
Call or text 866-687-8683 for national nonpartisan election assistance in English. These external hotlines are not operated by GABA.
Hours and language availability are set by providers. For Haitian Creole, French, Portuguese, Yoruba, Igbo, Somali, Amharic, or another language, ask what assistance is available. Service in these languages is not guaranteed.
An immigration concern needs immigration expertise.
For a possible false citizenship claim, past registration, or a voting incident with immigration consequences, seek a licensed immigration attorney or a DOJ-accredited representative working through a recognized organization.
Verify an accredited representative →This hub does not offer legal representation or establish an attorney-client relationship.
Protect your personal information.
Do not email GABA an A-number, immigration documents, Social Security number, or detailed legal history. Ask a qualified provider about secure intake and confidentiality before sharing sensitive information.
Official voting rights reporting options →
For you. For your family.
For your community.
Does a green card or work permit allow me to vote?
These documents do not make you a U.S. citizen or authorize voting in federal or state elections. Most local elections also require citizenship. Do not treat a registration invitation as proof of eligibility. Seek qualified advice about any claimed local exception.
My accent, name, or birthplace was questioned. What can I do?
Ask an election official to explain the issue and applicable procedure. Contact 866-OUR-VOTE for help with an eligibility challenge or possible intimidation. Safely note what happened and preserve relevant notices.
Can a family member help me understand my ballot?
Federal assistance protections may allow you to choose a helper when you need reading or writing assistance, including language-related help. Employer and union-related exceptions apply. A helper should assist with your choices, not decide for you.
Can a mixed-status family use this hub?
Yes. Each household member can use these resources without submitting immigration status to this page. Each person’s voting eligibility is separate. Check qualifications before taking an election-specific volunteer role.
What if I see threatening activity or immigration agents near a voting site?
Prioritize safety, avoid confrontation, and contact Election Protection about possible interference. This hub does not promise that voting locations are free from immigration enforcement. Seek qualified immigration counsel for a personal immigration concern. Call 911 if there is immediate danger.
Can GABA take my legal case?
This page does not provide legal case intake or representation. Linked organizations have their own services, eligibility rules, and privacy practices. Contact them directly to confirm whether they can help.
Voting in Michigan?
Use official state resources for registration, local clerk information, ballot tracking, and current election procedures.
Bring trusted information to your neighbors.
Contact GABA about civic education, community outreach, or contributing legal and language expertise. Election-specific roles may have citizenship, residency, training, or other requirements.