Chapter Six — Election Day, Before the Polls Open

Number of poll watchers per precinct
Primary Election Day
per Party 1 2
per Candidate 1 2
per Local
Civic Organization 		1 1
per State
Civic Organization 		1
Total of 2 organizations 		1
Total of 2 organizations
per Ballot Proposition
Proponent & Opponent Groups		 1 1
Statute 10 ILCS 5/7-34 10 ILCS 5/17-23

While this guide is being updated for the search feature and accessibility; pages marked with "🚧" are still under construction.

  1. Entering the Polling Place, Election Day
    1. Arriving Late
    2. The Public In the Polling Place Before the Polls Open
  2. Present Credentials
  3. Examine the Ballot Box/Tabulator
    1. Check That the Seal on the Tabulator Is Intact
    2. Check That the Ballot Box is Empty
    3. Check That the Auxiliary Ballot Box of the Tabulator Is Empty
    4. Examine the Tabulator Zero Tape for Votes
    5. Observe As the Election Judges Compare the Sample Ballot to the Actual Ballot
    6. Observe the Election Judges Compare the Sample Ballot to the Actual Ballot
    7. Check That the Counter of the Tabulator Is Set to Zero
    8. Observe That the Ballot Box/Tabulator Is Locked
    9. Confirm Ballot Box/Tabulator Is On Public View
  4. Poll Watcher Inspection Voting Machines
    1. Observe the Key Security Envelope Being Opened
    2. Observe the Examination of the Voting Machine by the Election Judges
    3. Check Ballot Labels Are In Place
      1. Check That the Voting Machine Counter Is Set to Zero
      2. Check Voting Machine for Electioneering Material
      3. Check the Ballot Labels
      4. Compare the Facsimile Diagrams to the Ballot Labels
    4. Check for Voting Machine Instructional Aids
      1. Facsimile Diagrams
      2. The Instruction Model
    5. Confirm Voting Machine Is On Public View
  5. Examine the Ballot Marking Devices
    1. Ballot Marking Devices Checklist
  6. Checking the Voter Booths
  7. Federal Voting Information Requirements
    1. When Are Federal Laws Enforced?
  8. Signage and Information Required by the State
    1. Propositions and State Constitutional Amendments
    2. Specimen or Sample Ballots
    3. Instructions to Voters
  9. Miscellaneous Checks
    1. Non-Electronic Voter Assist Aids
      1. Wheelchair Accessible Voting Booth
      2. Wheelchair Accessible Voting Machine
      3. Sitting Voter Booth
      4. Portable Voter Booth
      5. Other Accessibility and Accommodation Materials
    2. Electioneering Materials Within the Leased Space
  10. A List of Election Judges and Their Party Affiliations
    1. What If the Election Judge Objects?
    2. The Political Party of the Majority of the Election Judges
    3. Check the Voter Registration of Other Poll Watchers
  11. Find A Chair
    1. Why Sit?
    2. Is the Poll Watcher Required to Sit?
      1. Movement Rules
      2. Conduct Rules
    3. What If There Is No Place To Sit?
  12. Proclaiming the Polls Open
  13. Before the Polls Open, Poll Watcher Checklist
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While this guide is being updated, pages marked with "🚧" are still under construction.