Chapter 2 – Basic Poll Watcher Rights & Responsibilities

2.G.2.a The Observer

The observer, named by an established party, is allowed to be at the Central Counting Location at all times.

There are no credentials to be presented; the established party informs the Election Authority of their choice.

There is no procedure to remove an observer from an established party. The observer cannot be told to leave.

If the Election Authority persuades the established party to remove the observer, the observer shall remain until the replacement observer arrives.

The observer at the Central Counting Location may or may not be a poll watcher.

The observer, as representative of the established party, can be whomever that party's committee assigns.

For the purposes of ths guide, we will assume that the person assigned by the established party is an experienced poll watcher.

The presence of the observer does not diminish the number of pollwatchers required by statute. Just as the presence of pollwatchers does not nullify the observer's presence

Candidates and civic organizations can also request observers at the Central Counting Location, but it is up to the Election Authority to grant them access.

See: The Central Counting Location. this link opens in a new browser tab..

2.G.2.b. Poll Watcher at Election Judge Panels

All Election Judge Panels at the Central Counting Location require poll watchers.

The number of poll watchers attending an Election Judge Panel is independent of the observers at the Central Counting Location, and does not diminish the number of observers or of poll watchers.

See: Election Judge Panels. this link opens in a new browser tab..