Chapter 9 – Assisted Voting

1. The Impact of Vote By Mail on Assisted Voting

Vote by mail is the first option for those who need assistance voting or are physically unable to to access the polling place.

Vote by mail has reduced the need for assistance measures at the polling place, but has not eliminated voter assistance.

In addition to vote by mail, other assistance to voters is available.

Some assistance is available to the voter at the polling place, such as:
• Chapter 9B, Voter Booth With Wheelchair Access
• Chapter 9C, Voting Machines
• Chapter 9D, Options Available For Voters Needing Further Assistance
• Chapter 9F, Voter Who Cannot Access the Polling Place

Other assistance requires informing the election authority (i.e., County Clerk's office or local Board of Elections) in advance
• Chapter 9G, Curbside Voting
• Chapter 9H, Hospitalized Voters
• Chapter 9I, Nursing Homes & Assisted Living

2. The Person Assisting the Voter

A person assisting the voter is allowed in the polling room with the voter.

Assisting the Voter to the Voting Booth

If the voter needs assistance getting to the voting booth but does not require assistance voting, then once the voter is safely at the voting booth the person assisting the voter will retire outside of the polling room.

When the voter has completed voting, the person assisting the voter can return to the polling room.

Voter's Assistant Remaining In the Polling Room

At the discretion of the election judge, the person assisting the voter may remain in the polling room with the voter.

The voter's assistant cannot position themself where they can observe the voter marking the ballot or be able to observe any other voter voting.

The voter's assistant cannot assist the voter in voting unless both the voter and the voter's assistant sign the voter assistance affidavit.

Assisting the Voter In Voting

If the person assisting the voter will also assist the voter in voting, then both the voter and the person assisting the voter must sign an affidavit before going to the voting booth.

The voter can also request the assistance of the election judges in voting. It is the decision of the voter, and only the voter.

If the voter requests the help of the election judges or if either the voter or the assistant refuses to sign the affidavit, then the assistant will be directed to leave the polling room until the voter has completed voting.

See: Chapter 9D, Options Available For Voters Needing Further Assistance for further discussion of voter assistance.

Needing assistance to vote is not the basis for a challenge.

In fact, as poll watchers we need to ensure that voters needing assistance get whatever help they need to vote.

The Problem

You notice someone in the voting booth hovering over another booth and talking to another voter.

It could be innocent, it could be a good faith effort to help another voter.

Or it could be someone trying to influence or bully another voter.

Ask yourself, does the conversation take longer than to ask, "My pen doesn't work, can I borrow your's when you're done?"

If It Is Not A Short Conversation, Challenge It

If the voter has a question, it the election judge's job to answer a voter's questions.

If someone is assisting a voter, both the voter and the person assisting the voter must sign an affidavit.