Chapter 2 – Basic Poll Watcher Rights & Responsibilities

2.D.4.a. Other Poll Watchers.

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, if they are there as poll watchers — like you — they are there to put their partisanship aside to do the job of a poll watcher.

If, on the other hand, they are not there to act in a non-partisan manner, sic an Election Judge on them. Continue to do so until they act right.

2.D.4.b. The Number of Poll Watchers.

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.

Let's talk about a reasonable number of poll watchers.

Try to keep the number of poll watchers to a manageable number. Don't tempt the Election Judges to toss you 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 your poll watcher team for a new assignment.