A poll watcher is a volunteer and a very important one. The Republican party officials in your county or city can have you placed in any district they choose. Hopefully one where all the workers are democrats. They are required to give you a seat from which you can observe. You will be there before the polls open and can verify the ballot boxes or machines have not been stuffed ahead of time. You will be there at the end of the day as the votes are counted and tallied, and will get the opportunity to sign off on and record the final precinct vote counts.
You will be in a position to protest any observed irregularities, and you will be given phone numbers or Republican party officials to call in the event the irregularities are not corrected.
There is no pay but you have more freedom than the workers, who cannot get up and observe with the same degree of freedom.
If you are selected to observe in a precinct with a Democrat captain and all Democrat workers, you will likely be treated with what I call "civil coolness" and you will feel like "the enemy", but they may warm up to you.
Are fair elections worth approximately 20 hours total of your time? They are mine.
That is an interesting idea, I might have to take you up on that. I’ll contact the local election board and check into this.
Don’t much matter around here, Texas Our Texas, will go for the R’s I’m sure, but it might be an eye opener.
That is an interesting idea, I might have to take you up on that. I’ll contact the local election board and check into this.
Don’t much matter around here, Texas Our Texas, will go for the R’s I’m sure, but it might be an eye opener.
HOw do i do this in NH
“City of Brotherly Love, pick up the white courtesy phone!”
We were not permitted to use cellphones in polling locations
We were not permitted to take pictures if we thought something was “wrong” etc. So if I saw a poll worker telling someone where to mark a ballot...no recording it. No evidence.
Basically if we needed to do anything and call for assistance we actually had to do that off the polling location grounds!
But they didn't need to worry about the GOP ....we were failed by absolute disorganization. Volunteers never got notification of which poll, no ID to get in to observe, it was an epic failure. I scheduled a day off to do this, lost a days pay etc. and was stationed nowhere.
WE got letters of apology a week later ....
I don't understand why this stuff is so freakin’ hard to do in OHio? It is not like our first election.
The fact ours was so screwed up should not discourage anyone from doing this. In fact, I found the whole experience tremendously enlightening and I learned a lot about how things are controlled in my county.
In the primary I just made sure I took my time casting my ballot, I took a booth close to the check-in tables etc. and made sure I paid attention at all the actions happening in that location. From being accosted going into the location by a liberal who was upset she had to go to a Catholic School to cast a ballot to people shaking their heads in disbelief at her antics...to the ‘attitude’ when I asked for a republican ballot....
Cuyahoga County, Ohio gave 0bama Ohio last time and unless the GOP gets serious and gets it together...it will again.
My mom and I are both poll workers for our district. There is some training needed, but it’s only a few hours. Most polling places will be desperate for help this election, we’re expecting to get swamped!
Wayne, great post and a great mission. From your years of service do you have any good stories of catching any illegal voters?
Great post! I am one step ahead of you. I know where “get out the vote” struck last year and this year I will be there with a camera ready to go. I am not alone. THE VOTING LOCATIONS IN COLUMBUS OHIO WILL BE WATCHED!
I’m also in AL. In Huntsville area . . . I volunteered in ‘08 and ‘10 and never heard from a soul.
I’d still love to volunteer. I’ll try again this year. I don’t think there are a lot of shenanigans going on out here in Madison County, but nonetheless I’d love to poll watch. A family tradition in my family.
Thanks for posting. If 10% of Freepers in swing states volunteered as poll watchers and deterred five illegal votes apiece, it would make a difference. And believe me, your simple presence will deter illegal votes. There are many stories to be told, but the long and short is that a visible hall monitor reduces bad behavior.
For those who are interested in poll watching, please make sure to specify if are willing to do just election day or if you are also available for early voting. It is also helpful if you go to your state's website and print out all laws that are relevant to voting particularly those that deal with when a voter must cast a provisional ballot.
Great idea Wayne. So glad you put it out for the FReeper challange! I am a precinct captain and will be at my precinct keeping an eye open!!
My wife is the local election judge.
There will be no hanky-panky at the polls locally.
She has many years of experience and knows the election rules.
I probably will be helping.
And we know most everyone in town.
I have saved this info for the future when I may be free to do this, Wayne, and I thank you for your efforts. I am glad you posted this, and hope you continue to do so.
I have already volunteered for the worst poll location in S/W Houston.. It has an 80% AA population.. I did it in 2008, and 2010, so they already know me and have grown to expect me to call their BS at every opportunity..
I think there was near 100 ballots in 2008.. Even more in 2010, but they learned a lesson the first time so they didn’t even argue that much..
They shout and scream as I file objections, but those votes never get counted at the end, because I stay until I get a finding..
They called the police against me three times in 08, but not in 2010, but I stood my ground, and the cops took one of them away.. I have never raised my voice I just smile and fill out the forms to substantiate my objection on solid grounds.. :)
So it would make sense you vote absentee ballot if you volunteer?