Chapter 2 – Basic Poll Watcher Rights & Responsibilities

2.E.3. A Poll Watcher Cannot See A Ballot

From the time an election judge hands a voter a ballot until that ballot is submitted to the ballot box/tabulator, the ballot is off limits from observation; not just by the poll watcher but by anyone in the polling room.

A poll watcher should position themselves where they can see the voting booths but not where they can see the content of the ballot. In the rare occasions a poll watcher nears a voting booth with voters present, such as when accompanying election judges in assisting a voter, the poll watcher should do their best to position themself where they cannot see the ballot.