Election Protection Poll Monitor Training 2016 General Election 1

Agenda What is Election Protection? What Does the Poll Monitor Do Debunk Myths* Questions and Answers

What is Election Protection? Largest national non-partisan voter protection coalition. Began after 2000 Florida election debacle. Had field volunteers in 22 states in 2012 In NC, part of long fight for voting rights.   Data gathered by poll monitors has helped with lawsuits against voter suppression laws.

Why Election Protection? Goal 1: Make sure every eligible voter has their vote count! Every election thousands of voters are disenfranchised by poorly trained poll workers, confusion, and other problems. Identify these problems & correct them.

Why Election Protection? Goal 2: Collect data and examples to document barriers to voting. Documentation helps improve the voting system and fight against voter suppression Providing good information empowers voters now and helps future voters.

Overview of a Poll Monitor’s Day Help: Poll Monitors make a difference by helping voters get to vote! Document: Poll Monitors are the eyes and ears of attorneys and experts answering the HOTLINE

866 – OUR – VOTE 6 8 7 - 8 6 8 3 *888–OUR–VOTE 888 - 687 – 8683 HOTLINE 866 – OUR – VOTE 6 8 7 - 8 6 8 3 *888–OUR–VOTE 888 - 687 – 8683

Overview of a Poll Monitor’s Day Show up on time and for shift at assigned precinct. Check-in with any Poll Monitors on duty and complete Precinct Checklist. Put up sign and stand outside the buffer zone. Ask the next voter if they would complete the Exit Survey. Watch out for any circumstances or issues that may limit voting. Pay attention for frustrated voters leaving the polls. Use Incident Report to document problems. Connect voters to experts through the hotline

Overview of Poll Monitor’s Job 1. Be Completely NON-PARTISAN 2. HELP 3. DOCUMENT and 4. Be a RESOURCE and a CONNECTOR

HELP the voter successfully vote TIP Bring a folding chair, flashlight, water and snacks.

No sunglasses; let them see your eyes! The Poll Monitor’s Day TIP Wear comfortable shoes, your yellow Vote Protector T-shirt and a No sunglasses; let them see your eyes!

NON-PARTISAN Voter Advocate Make sure the “Trouble Voting” sign is visible near poll’s exit door, separate from other signs. Stand outside of polling place, beyond the “buffer zone” – generally 50 feet from door. Talk with voters when they leave. Don’t compete with partisan volunteers.

NON-PARTISAN Voter Advocate If you’re the first monitor for the day, introduce yourself to the Chief Judge. Be friendly; say you’re with a non-partisan group providing information and collecting feedback for research. Be completely non-partisan. Don’t be lured into discussions about candidates or political parties. Just say: “I’m here today to help all voters. ”

NON-PARTISAN Voter Advocate TIP When you put on the Yellow Shirt, you are taking the role of Vote Protector for all voters

HELP the voter successfully vote INTERACT > Ask next voter (don’t pick) to fill out an Exit Survey: “How was your experience today? We’re conducting a quick survey about people’s voting experience; it’s anonymous... It’s for UNC-Charlotte research.” If a voter looks upset, check in and ask: “Was there a problem inside today?... Maybe I can help.”

HELP the voter successfully vote Be calm, help communication: Many problems can be resolved with clear information or better communications between a voter and poll official. Get the name and cell phone of the voter and name of an election official if available, or a description. Use the Incident Report. If the voter is willing, call the Hotline (or let them call) right away; don’t get bogged down in details.

HELP the voter successfully vote If the voter won’t wait, write their name, number and summary of the incident on the Incident Report and call the HOTLINE yourself. Give them the wallet card. Handling an Incident takes priority over Exit Surveys. In general, you don’t go inside. However, let election officials know about a problem outside the poll, so they can try to fix it.  

What’s Your Job When Questions Are Asked? HELP What’s Your Job When Questions Are Asked? Don’t try to answer all the voter’s questions! You are NOT the expert. You are a Resource and Connector. Provide the WALLET CARD. Use your backup - the HOTLINE. Don’t guess; just say you’re a volunteer and can call for help to get the answer. Tell voters that the HOTLINE is staffed by attorneys and voting rights experts who are waiting to take their call.

RESOURCE TIP Bring cell phone fully charged with the HOTLINE number saved and on speed dial. 866 - OUR – VOTE 866 – 687 - 8683

DOCUMENT problems to help future voters Tools to help you document: Polling Place Checklist Exit Survey with large envelope “Hot Tips for Voting” Wallet Card Incident Report

DOCUMENT problems to help future voters Incidents that you should document: Any situation where a voter shows frustration or says they were unable to vote. Document and call HOTLINE. Long lines that discourage people from voting – 45 min. Document and call HOTLINE. Document means write down NAME & PHONE #.

DOCUMENT problems to help future voters More Incidents to Document: Curbside voting is unavailable, slow or inconsistent. Someone passing out misinformation about voting rules. A voter is told their name is not on registration rolls but they are sure they are registered.

DOCUMENT problems to help future voters More Incidents to Document: Voter not offered provisional ballot. If voting machines aren’t working, the precinct runs out of ballots or closes early. Pay attention to discrimination or unequal treatment of voters by officials. Document!

DOCUMENT problems to help future voters Voter harassment of voters in line outside of the polling place, or by challengers who target certain kinds of voters. Election official refuses to let any voter get assistance including a voter with a disability . Police intimidation or roadblocks around the poll DOCUMENT and call HOTLINE!

DOCUMENT problems to help future voters TIP Have multiple pens. Tie pen to the clipboard with yarn or string.

CONNECT Fill out report and dial the Hotline You’ve heard the problem. Now what? Document and Call the Hotline Document: get the name & cell phone on Incident Form Begin filling out the incident report while dialing the HOTLINE. When the call is answered, summarize the situation in 15 seconds and give the phone to voter to receive assistance. Listen as voter answers questions and continue filling out the incident report. Especially if voter walks away, give them a WALLET CARD card and tell them to call HOTLINE when they can.

CONNECT Fill out report and dial the Hotline TIP Practice your 15 second summary: This is ______(your name), a poll monitor in ________ county at polling place _______(name and location). Mr./Ms. had an_______ issue with voting today. They’re getting on the line now for assistance.

Dispatched Legal Response Team NEW RESOURCE Dispatched Legal Response Team

RESOURCE: LEGAL TEAM Legal volunteers dispatched by the HOTLINE Command Center. You may see them during your shift (black t-shirts with Election Protection logo)

RESOURCE: LEGAL TEAM Someone inside challenged a voter’s eligibility. A pattern of voters not being able to vote, or having to take extra steps. Someone is discouraging people from voting. There is someone in/outside the polling place giving misleading info. Someone is intimidating voters.

Poll Monitor Summary Stand outside of polling places, beyond the “buffer zone.” Be non-partisan. SMILE! Advocate for all voters. Document all incidents. Save the HOTLINE on speed dial. At the end of your shift, put your Polling Place Checklist, Exit Surveys and Incident Reports in the large envelope provided.

You can’t vote if you don’t have a valid NC driver’s license. MYTH BUSTER You can’t vote if you don’t have a valid NC driver’s license.

NOT TRUE The ONLY time a person is required to show any ID is related to registration as a first-time voter: * same-day reg * problem on form

MYTH BUSTER Cameras are not allowed inside the polling place. What about cell phones?

Cell phones are viewed as cameras Cell phones are viewed as cameras. Their use to record or communicate (talk) is not allowed. Voters can use to retrieve their cheat-sheet.

Voters not inside the polling place by the closing time are too late. MYTH BUSTED Voters not inside the polling place by the closing time are too late.

FALSE Not so! Voters in line by the closing time can vote. On Election Day, closing time is 7:30 PM. During early voting, closing time may be 5:00 or 6:00. The same rule applies.

THANK YOU for protecting voting rights in NC! Election Protection Questions & Answers THANK YOU for protecting voting rights in NC!