Election Law Poll Watchers

These designated statewide observers may observe in any precinct and can move around to other precincts throughout election day but are otherwise subject to all limitations on precinct nominated poll watchers.

Election law poll watchers. And others with the rights and duties of election challengers and poll watchers. Md code election law 10 311. For example in oregon the law says parties and candidates can sponsor observers to watch election workers open ballots and count them but these monitors must behave in a way that will not interfere with an orderly procedure.

However only one poll watcher may be present in the polling place at one time for each candidate at primaries or for each candidate party or political body during general municipal or special elections from the time election officers meet prior to the opening of the polls until the time that the counting of votes is complete. Despite it being against the law political parties in the past trained poll watchers to intimidate voters as a means of voter suppression. If a poll watcher loses his or her certificate or if the certificate is destroyed the poll watcher may appear before the court of common pleas on election day and after swearing an oath or affirmation may immediately receive a.

In the early 1980s the democratic national committee sued the republican national committee and the new jersey republican state committee alleging that the party under the guise of ballot security harassed and intimidated black and latino voters using. A state or local board of elections a candidate political party or any other group of voters supporting a candidate or issue can appoint an accredited poll challenger or watcher. According to department of state guidance poll watchers must report any potential problems to the election judge on site at polling locations who will then determine if the poll watcher s claims are reasonable and merit follow through.

Poll watchers cannot go into the area where voters are actually casting their ballots and should rarely come into contact with voters. At least 14 days prior to the election parties political bodies and independent candidates may submit up to 25 statewide poll watchers to the state election board. President donald trump has urged his supporters in north carolina to be poll watchers to guard against voter fraud.

In pennsylvania for example poll watchers can observe the election checking turnout and voting machines and also challenge voters by taking their concerns to election officials. Must be a registered voter. Poll watchers also are permitted by law in states that conduct elections mostly by mail.

Election challengers and poll watchers who follow the guidance provided in this publication can play a constructive role in verifying that the election is conducted openly and fairly.