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

6.C.3. Check That the Auxiliary Ballot Box of the Tabulator Is Empty

Tabulators have a secondary ballot box, known as the auxiliary ballot box, which the Election Judge and observers are required to verify is empty.

The use of the auxiliary ballot box depends on the design of the tabulator.

• For some tabulators, it is a depository for ballots that the tabulator rejected after counting.
• In other tabulators, it is a ballot box for uncounted ballots.

Rule of Thumb.

The poll watcher team should inform the individual poll watcher how the tabulator is designed to use the auxiliary ballot box.

The Election Judge will open the auxiliary ballot box in the tabulator.

The Election Judge will step aside to allow the poll watcher and other observers to confirm that the auxiliary ballot box is empty.

No poll watcher or observer is permitted to touch the tabulator.

If any portion of the auxiliary ballot box is not observable, the Election Judge will adjust the election equipment to make the interior observable.

After the observation is complete, the Election Judge will lock the auxiliary ballot box, which will remain locked until the polls close.