Chapter 2 Basic Poll Watcher Rights & Responsibilities, this link opens in a new browser tab.
2.E. What Can A Poll Watcher See?, this link opens in a new browser tab.
2.E.1. Confidential Records
Some addresses — such as those of battered women's shelters and certain law enforcement personnel — are restricted.
It is unreasonable for a poll watcher to request to view those records.
Do not ask an election judge for your ex's address.
The following information has also been designated as confidential:
- any portion of an applicant's Social Security number;
- any portion of an applicant's driver's license number or State identification number;
- an applicant's decision to decline voter registration;
- the identity of the person providing information relating to a specific applicant;
- the personal residence and contact information of any applicant for whom notice has been given by an appropriate legal authority; and
- the voter's email address.
A poll watcher may overhear any of the above or see the above as part of the voter registration process or the ballot application process, but the poll watcher must treat such information as confidential.
What the Poll Watcher Is Looking For
When a voter requests a ballot, the voter states their name and address in a loud and clear voice.
Even if the voter voluntarily hands the Election Judge an ID, the name and address must be said out loud.
See: The Voter States Their Name & Address, this link opens in a new browser tab.
Examples:
Reasonable Record
Did [name] at [address] vote?
If the Election Judge has time, the Election Judge may answer whether an identifiable person has voted.
Unreasonable Record
What is the name of the person who just voted?
Once the voter's name and address has been clearly and publicly stated during the ballot application process, it is not information a poll watcher may later request or retrieve as a record.