3.D. Other Poll Watchers
That's you!
Let's take a minute to talk about other poll watchers you may meet in the Polling Place.
Treat them with respect. It may be the only respect they get all day.
Even if they are from an opposing party, opposing candidate, or supporting the opposing side of a proposition. When a poll watcher is in the Polling Place, they are there to put their partisanship aside to do the job of a poll watcher.
If, on the other hand, they act only in a partisan manner, sic an Election Judge on them. Continue to do so until they act right.
3.D.1. The Optimal Number of Poll Watchers In A Polling Place At One Time
The state (and the state alone) sets the maximum number of poll watchers per Polling Place.
But with political parties, candidates, civic organization, and proposition poll watchers available for each precinct, poll watchers can proliferate like rabbits.
A majority of Election Judges can claim the Polling Place is overcrowded and ask poll watchers to leave.
There are rules for the removal of poll watchers from the Polling Place.
See: Removing Poll Watchers this link opens in a new browser tab.
Let's talk about a reasonable number of poll watchers.
NOTE: This discussion does not supersede a decision on overcrowding in the Polling Place made by the Election Judges.
Rule of Thumb
Three poll watchers per Polling Place are usually enough unless the poll watchers are assigned to a Voting Center.
Use your own judgment.
Try to keep the number of poll watchers to a manageable number.
Don't tempt the Election Judges to toss poll watchers out.
Check the poll watcher sign-in sheet for their sponsors.
Two main party poll watchers and a candidate poll watcher is a good mix.
Give deference to the party poll watchers and candidate poll watchers because they are the hardest for Election Judges to throw out of a Polling Place.
There is always another Polling Place that needs a poll watcher. Talk to the poll watcher team for a new assignment.