1. "Was it busier than you expected? "
2. "I know you're busy, but I just need to see a few papers before you put them away." (Provisional affidavits, change of address, federal ballots issued, spoiled ballots.)
3. "You know, I'm not permitted to touch materials, so if you could turn this page for me, that would be great."
4. "I don't want to be in your way, so if you can show me the Judge Suggestion Sheet, thanks."
5. "I'd like to see the tallies of federal ballots, provisional ballots, and changes of address. I'll write them down as fast as I can!"
6. "I'd like to have a copy of the poll tapes from the machines."
7. "May I take a picture of the sealed ballot box?" (Taking pictures, video, audio in the poll is at the judges' discretion)
JUDGES' ATTITUDE TOWARD THE POLLWATCHER
Most judges are friendly and receptive to pollwatchersl. However, some judges may be grouchy or may resent the presence of the pollwatcher. Some may be in a bad mood before you even engage them. It happens. Try to realize that other factors may have contributed to their mood--fatigue, frustration, or sickness.
Please be understanding!
The judge may just be unaware
of a particular procedure or law. Politely suggest the correct one, showing the
judge the citation in the pollwatcher toolkit. Let's face it--no one likes to
be told they are doing something wrong!
1. "I'm sorry, I see that the election code here says that...." (Point to and read the correct law)." In particular: Judges must never ask for a voter's Social Security number, not even when a photo ID is required.
2. "I know that it may be confusing to determine the correct ballot, but this sheet from the State Board of Elections states that the correct ballot is...." Point out the correct ballot--full, federal, or provisional--ONLY if you are sure that it IS the correct ballot.
3. "I don't mean to interfere, but the voter has two forms of ID and doesn't need to show a photo ID."
4. "I know that you were busy, but that ballot didn't get initialed. I would hate to see the ballot get disqualified."
5. "I notice that you're pushing the touchscreens over the optical scan machines. Judges aren't permitted to promote one type of voting machine over another."
6. "I see that the count of ballot applications does not match the machine counts plus the paper ballot counts."
7. " I see that a voter is talking on a cellphone while voting. Please tell the voter to cease, the voter seems to be receiving assistance on how to vote without his aide having signed an affidavit."
IF A JUDGE CONTINUES TO VIOLATE A LAW OR PROCEDURE AFTER THE POLLWATCHER HAS POINTED OUT THE CORRECT ONE--
DO
NOT ARGUE WITH THE JUDGE.
FILL OUT AN AFFIDAVIT and AN INCIDENT REPORT.
Tell the judge:
1. "I've pointed out to you the election-code section that covers this
procedure. Now I'm filling out an affidavit to document the violation. I have
your name as.... I have the violation as.... I have the time of the violation
as...."
2. "I am sorry, but I have no choice but to call the election authority
[or 'the States Attorney office', etc.]."
Most often the judge will relent rather than get reported.
CHALLENGING A VOTER OR OTHER PERSON IN THE POLL
Rarely, you may need to challenge a voter or other person in the poll.
Challenge anyone who is--
* misrepresenting their eligibility to vote.
* unauthorized to be in the poll.
* tampering or interfering with the election.
* attempting to persuade others how to vote.
* voting for a disabled person without their permission.
On the other hand, you can dispute an invalid challenge made by a judge, a
pollwatcher or a voter.
Note: According to the Brennan Center for Justice, VOTER FRAUD IS EXTREMELY
RARE.
B. POLLWATCHER CHECKLIST (Partial)
BE RESPECTFUL OF THE JUDGES and KNOW ELECTION LAWS !
Preparation: Bring--
* Pollwatcher credentials .
* Folder of pollwatching materials ; pens; one set of report forms for
each precinct.
* Phone numbers of co-workers.
* Map of route to your polling station(s).
* Food/snacks for self, judges, others.
* Cell phone , fully charged.
* Audio/video equipment ; extra storage media; extra batteries, fully
charged.
Before Polls Open
* Arrive at poll as early as judges if possible.
* Give your Credentials to the judges.
* Observe the zero tape, serial numbers of machines and memory cards,
and all seals.
* Record machine & memory-card serial #'s.
* Verify that early-voter application blanks get stamped as
"Already voted."
During Voting Hours
* Sign in upon entering or leaving the poll.
* Record the names and affiliation of judges, and of all
technicians and couriers.
* Jot down the names of other pollwatchers.
* Check the color code on the voter's ballot application:
White = Regular, Grey = Mail-in Registration, Pink = Challenged.
* Fill out Incident Report forms as needed.
* Don't touch ANY poll materialsl No papers, machines, books,
pencils--nothing!
Judges Actions
* Judges must clearly announce the name and address of each
voter.
* Judges must allow you to observe ballot-applications, voter
signatures, and all other materials. (Stand behind judges' table?)
* A judge must initialize the paper ballot right before handing it to
the voter.
* If a voter is not in the poll book, the judge must check the regular
and the suplemental registration list, then call the Board of Elections, if
necessary.
* In multi-precinct polling places, judges must direct voters to the
correct precinct.
* In split precincts (those straddling two legislative districts),
judges must give the voter the ballot for the right district.
* Judges must not promote one type of voting machine as better than the
other.
* Judges must not permit unauthorized persons to linger in the poll. Ask
judges whether suspicious persons have credentials. Authorized personnel---
pollwatchers, election authorities, states attorneys, reps of the attorney
general.
* If the voter is in the wrong precinct, the judge must direct them to
the right precinct.
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