1. Effective Pollwatching
Naperville Township Democratic Organization
October 2012

2. Effective Pollwatching
What Is A Pollwatcher?
Election Judge Responsibilities
Prior to Election Day
Election Day Set-up
Election Day Voting
Pollwatcher Responsibilities
Before the polls open
While the polls are open
After the polls close
What to do if there’s a problem

3. Effective Pollwatching
What Is A Pollwatcher?
Election Judge Responsibilities
Prior to Election Day
Election Day Set-up
Election Day Voting
Pollwatcher Responsibilities
Before the polls open
While the polls are open
After the polls close
What to do if there’s a problem

4. * Yellow, under-lined text are key points
What is a pollwatcher?
A registered voter, associated with particular party, candidate, organization, or ballot issue
An observer, ensuring election integrity
Appointed by a candidate or party
Given credentials; one per precinct (Must be surrendered to Election Judges)
Allowed access to the polling location…
During polling location setup
While the polling location is open
After the polling location has closed
Can observe and question; cannot touch
* Yellow, under-lined text are key points

5. What is a Pollwatcher? Establishing a Rapport
Introduce yourself; establish a rapport
Be pleasant
Bring food!
Identify the Democratic Election Judge(s); they are on your side
Do not be confrontational
Ask questions, suggest corrections
Note: election judges may limit the number of pollwatchers present due to overcrowding

6. What is a Pollwatcher? Helping us Get Out the Vote
Arrive with a list of the precinct’s voters
Ask to sit at or near the signature capture station… (more on that later)
Track who has voted
Report back who has / has not voted
Step out; call voters who have not voted
Remember: no cell phones allowed!

7. Effective Pollwatching
What Is A Pollwatcher?
Election Judge Responsibilities
Prior to Election Day
Election Day Set-up
Election Day Voting
Pollwatcher Responsibilities
Before the polls open
While the polls are open
After the polls close
What to do if there’s a problem

8. Election Judge Responsibilities
Ensure a fair election for all eligible voters
Most are trained by the DCEC
All judges equal in authority; majority rule
Technical judge responsible for equipment
“Chain of Custody”
Judges from both parties
Majority based on County Governor votes

9. Election Judge: Prior to Election Day
Technical judge has picked up sensitive supplies
Election Supply Cabinet of non-sensitive supplies delivered to polling location
Monday night, available judges set-up:
Signs and supplemental materials
6 voter “stations”
Voting booths (without tabulators/electronics)
ONLY non-sensitive material
Pre-printed applications labeled, if already voted
Sensitive supplies kept with technical judge
Election Supply Cabinet locked and tagged

10. Effective Pollwatching
What Is A Pollwatcher?
Election Judge Responsibilities
Prior to Election Day
Election Day Set-up
Election Day Voting
Pollwatcher Responsibilities
Before the polls open
While the polls are open
After the polls close
What to do if there’s a problem

11. Election Judge: Election Day Setup
Judges arrive 5:00-5:15am
Technical Judge has sensitive supplies
Judges take/sign oath & certificate of inspection
Election Supply Cabinet: unlocked/untagged
Polling location set-up with 6 “stations”…
Voter applications
Signature Verification
Ballot Issuance
Voting Booths
Ballot Box/Tabulator
Voter Assistance “Ask ED” (usually technical judge)
NO Electioneering
Polls open EXACTLY at 6:00am

12. Election Judge: Election Day Setup Voter Application Station
Two judges
Poll record binders of all alphabetized pre-printed voter applications

13. Election Judge: Election Day Setup Signature Verification Station
Two judges (1 from each party)

14. Election Judge: Election Day Setup Ballot Issuance
ALL paper ballots unpacked and available
Different ballot types based on districts
Regular, full ballots for normal cases
Federal ballots for fail-safe voting
Compare ballot types with posted signs
Express poll…
For touch-screen voting
Writes memory card given to voter for voting
Two judges

15. Election Judge: Election Day Setup Voting Booths
Set-up with privacy considerations
Empty and signed (no graffiti)
At least one accessible voting booth
Touch screen voting machine set-up and operational
Verify displayed polling location

16. Election Judge: Election Day Setup Ballot Box / Tabulator
Ensure judges verify it is still empty
Tabulator added and activated
Verify “zero-tape” is produced, contains all zeroes, and is signed by all judges
Tabulator is locked
Technical judge has key
One judge assigned to watch ballot box

17. Election Judge: Election Day Setup Voter Assistance (“Ask ED”)
Pollwatcher administration
Election judge guide
All affidavits for special cases
Provisional ballots
List of all registered voters
Cell phone for DCEC use
1 judge (usually technical judge)

18. Election Judge: Election Day Setup Electioneering
Safe zone: 100’ from room entrance
If zone within building, judges can elect to make entire building safe zone.
Safe zone must be signed
NO candidate, party, issue promotion…
(buttons, badges, shirts, caps, stickers, signs, handouts, etc.)
Outside building is fair game
Exception: churches and private schools (if they so elect and inform judges)

19. Effective Pollwatching
What Is A Pollwatcher?
Election Judge Responsibilities
Prior to Election Day
Election Day Set-up
Election Day Voting
Pollwatcher Responsibilities
Before the polls open
While the polls are open
After the polls close
What to do if there’s a problem

20. Election Judge: Election Day Voter Application Station
Judge asks voter for name and address
Must be audible for pollwatcher to hear
Asking for ID not allowed
Exception: Application says “Registered by mail”
If signature not readable: new signature capture
Judge finds application; voter signs
Any problem: directed to voter assistance

21. Election Judge: Election Day Signature Verification Station
Both judges verify signature, and initial
Any problem: directed to voter assistance

22. Election Judge: Election Day Signature Verification Station: CHALLENGES
Any voter, judge, or pollwatcher can challenge a voter’s right to vote.
Must state the reason to the judges (moved, qualifications, already voted, etc.)
Judges decide; majority rules
If challenge denied, voter can vote
If challenge upheld, voter directed to voter assistance station

23. Election Judge: Election Day Ballot Issuance
Judge(s) ensure application is initialed
Asks voter for preferred voting process:
Paper
Electronic touch-screen
Directed to Express Poll judge

24. Election Judge: Election Day Ballot Issuance – PAPER ballot
Judge selects ballot matching ballot type indicated on pre-printed application
Judge initials ballot with red pen
Judge numbers and files application
Judge gives receipt to voter
Judge gives ballot to voter and offers a paper privacy cover
Directs voter to vacant voting booth

25. Election Judge: Election Day Ballot Issuance – ELECTRONIC ballot
Judge issues voter card based on ballot type indicated on pre-printed application
Judge gives memory card to voter
Directs voter to electronic touch-screen machine

26. Election Judge: Election Day Voting Booths / Ballot Box
Paper ballot voters directed to ballot box
Spoiled ballot can be re-issued
Judge verifies ballot is initialed in red
Judge does not touch ballot without voter’s permission
Only voter inserts ballot into ballot reader
Touch-screen voter returns voter card

27. Election Judge: Election Day Voter Assistance
All non-normal issues resolved here
DCEC contact/help very common
Proper affidavit completed/filed
Military
Address change / registration
Name change
Fail-safe federal ballots
Assisted voter
Provisional voting

28. Effective Pollwatching
What Is A Pollwatcher?
Election Judge Responsibilities
Prior to Election Day
Election Day Set-up
Election Day Voting  Closing
Pollwatcher Responsibilities
Before the polls open
While the polls are open
After the polls close
What to do if there’s a problem

29. Election Judge: Election Day Closing
Judges will start closing 6:00-7:00pm
Any voter in line at 7:00pm allowed to vote
Judges will divide and conquer
Order of closing not as important as every step being done
All judges have to sign all sensitive materials
Typical closing time: minutes
One judge from each party returns materials (if student judge, must be registered)

30. Election Judge: Election Day Closing
Paper ballots…
Check auxiliary ballot box compartment
Record number of paper ballots tabulated
Spoiled ballots sealed
Poll record binders sealed
Ender card used to close election

31. Election Judge: Election Day Closing
Paper ballots…
Tabulate/print 4 copies of paper ballot results (Pollwatcher(s) can request additional copy)
Memory card removed  into pouch
Voted ballots removed and hand counted
Voted ballots secured
Write-in votes manually tabulated
All voted ballots sealed and signed

32. Election Judge: Election Day Closing
Electronic / Touch-screen ballots…
Supervisor card / PIN used to end voting
3 copies of electronic ballot results printed (Pollwatcher(s) can request additional copy)
Memory card removed  into pouch
All voting hardware disassembled
Provisional ballots sealed and signed
Official ballot record completed & signed

33. Election Judge: Election Day Closing
One copy of printed results tape from each machine posted at polling location
Non-sensitive supplies sealed in Election Supply Cabinet
Sensitive supplies returned to DCEC in blue rolling bag
Memory cards hand-carried back to DCEC by Technical Judge and one judge from opposite party

34. Effective Pollwatching
What Is A Pollwatcher?
Election Judge Responsibilities
Prior to Election Day
Election Day Set-up
Election Day Voting  Closing
Pollwatcher Responsibilities
Before the polls open
While the polls are open
After the polls close
What to do if there’s a problem

35. Pollwatcher Responsibilities Before the Polls Open
Did all judges arrive by 5:15am?
Did the Technical Judge have the sensitive supplies?
Was the Election Supply Cabinet sealed?
Did the seal number match what was recorded the previous night?
Were the pre-printed applications for those having already voted labeled? (green labels)
Did all judges take/sign the oath?

36. Pollwatcher Responsibilities Before the Polls Open
Was the “NO Electioneering” zone identified?
Were all ballots unpacked and available
Were the ballot types correct?
Were the voting booths private and empty?

37. Pollwatcher Responsibilities Before the Polls Open
Was the ballot box verified to be empty?
Did all judges sign the “zero” tape?
Was the tabulator locked?
Were provisional ballots readied?
Did the polls open exactly at 6:00am?

38. Effective Pollwatching
What Is A Pollwatcher?
Election Judge Responsibilities
Prior to Election Day
Election Day Set-up
Election Day Voting  Closing
Pollwatcher Responsibilities
Before the polls open
While the polls are open
After the polls close
What to do if there’s a problem

39. Pollwatcher Responsibilities When the Polls Open
Can you hear the name of the voter?
Are ID’s illegally being required?
Are any challenges handled properly?
Are voters being harassed or intimidated?
Are both signature judges initialing the application?
Is the ballot judge asking the voter to confirm the correct ballot style?
Is the ballot judge initialing ballot with a red pen?

40. Pollwatcher Responsibilities When the Polls Open
Is the ballot judge reminding voters to vote both sides of the ballot?
Is the ballot judge offering the voter a privacy cover?
Is the ballot box judge verifying that that the voted ballot is initialed in red?
Is the voter allowed to insert their own ballot privately in to the ballot box?
Is the voter assistance judge allowing voters to vote provisionally?

41. Pollwatcher Responsibilities When the Polls Open
Helping the NTDO…
Track voters on your list of precinct voters
Follow-up… either:
Leave the polling location and call voters who have not yet voted. Remind them of the importance.
…or…
Hand off your list to your partner and get a new list. Your partner will call the voters.
Offer rides if someone needs one

42. Effective Pollwatching
What Is A Pollwatcher?
Election Judge Responsibilities
Prior to Election Day
Election Day Set-up
Election Day Voting  Closing
Pollwatcher Responsibilities
Before the polls open
While the polls are open
After the polls close
What to do if there’s a problem

43. Pollwatcher Responsibilities After the Polls Close
Did the polls close exactly at 7:00pm?
Were voters allowed to vote if in line?
Was the auxiliary compartment of the ballot box checked?
Were the memory cards removed and placed in the memory card pouch?
Were provisional ballots sealed and signed?
Were write-in votes identified and separated for return to the Election Commission?

44. Pollwatcher Responsibilities After the Polls Close
Were the voted paper ballots hand-counted and recorded on the official ballot record? (new this year)
Was the official ballot record completed and signed by all judges?
Were result tapes posted in the polling place?
Did you receive a copy of the result tape if you requested one?
Were all materials locked and sealed in the Election Supply Cabinet, or returned in the rolling blue bag or memory card pouch?

45. Effective Pollwatching
What Is A Pollwatcher?
Election Judge Responsibilities
Prior to Election Day
Election Day Set-up
Election Day Voting  Closing
Pollwatcher Responsibilities
Before the polls open
While the polls are open
After the polls close
What to do if there’s a problem

46. How to Handle Problems Record observations, issues, names, times, …
Politely point out concerns; enquire
Insist on corrective action if needed
Call the Election Commission ( )
Remain at the polling location until help arrives
For serious problems, call the police
Aurora:
Naperville:
For an emergency, call 9-1-1