Chapter 6. Before the Polls Open, this link opens in a new browser tab.

6.C.1. Check That the Seal on the Tabulator Is Intact

Before the tabulator is opened for inspection, the poll watcher shall observe the Election Judges as they inspect the seal on the tabulator to insure the seal is not broken.

The Election Judges will break the seal and remove it to continue the inspection of the tabulator.

What the Poll Watcher Is Looking For

Check that the seal is intact and that the tabulator was inoperable.

If the seal is broken or missing:

1. Examination of the tabulator immediately stops.
2. The poll watcher contacts their poll watcher's team.
3. An Election Judge contacts the Election Authority for a replacement tabulator.
4. The polls cannot be opened until a replacement tabulator is installed and inspected.

If the Election Judges refuse to contact the Election Authority or if the Election Authority refuses to replace the unsealed tabulator:

1. The poll watcher challenges, then documents the challenge according to local practices.
2. The poll watcher will report to their poll watcher team for escalation and further instruction.