Chapter 5 — In–Person, In–Precinct Voting

1. Present Your Credentials

A poll watcher must present their credentials to a election judge upon entering the polling place.

At 5:00AM, upon entering the polling place, election judges may be a bit distracted with their own responsibilities to accept the poll watcher's credential at that moment. Election judges may not have the poll watcher's sign–in sheet ready.

What Do You Do?

Have your credentials ready before you enter the polling place.

While waiting to enter or immediately upon entering, tell the election judges, "I have my credentials, when you are ready for them."

When the election judge is ready, present your credentials and sign in. Sign in with the time you entered the polling place.

You can continue with your own poll watcher activities while you are waiting to present your credentials.

NOTE: Be sure to present your credentials before the polls open.

If, ten minutes before the polls open, you still have not presented your credentials, insist that an election judge accept your credentials as required by the law.