Question regarding the Pennsylvania "no poll watchers"

[backtoblue]

I caught a few minutes of Rudy and some GOP guy in Pennsylvania saying that since they did not have access to some of the votes, that those ballots should be thrown out.

The guy mentioned that they had to watch from 100ft and couldnt see.

In my state, poll watchers have to register before election day. All others have to stay back 100ft (same as electioneering laws)


Anyone know what is going on?

[BumRushDaShow]

1. Everything out of their mouths is bullshit

The Philadelphia "regular and no-excuse absentee ballot" counting is being done centrally at the PA Convention Center in one of their large halls. There is a barrier set up for media and watchers to view the ballot canvassing and the whole process has been live-streaming 24/7 (since they are working 24/7) since they started the canvas at 7 am EST yesterday when the polls opened.

Here is their live stream (every once in a while, they will pan and zoom and otherwise move the camera around) -

It's a pretty big operation and luckily the city was able to apply for and receive a $10 million grant to pay for more workers, new high-speed scanners, letter extraction machines, PPE for the workers, get more supplies and funding for postage, etc., to do this. They have been running 3 shifts/day so far.

ETA - I did a screenshot yesterday when they had pulled the camera back to show where the media/watchers were stationed relative to the counting process.




The issue here is that this is not "voting" but ballot-counting, so there may be different procedures for that vs for actual poll watching (which requires that the watcher be a resident of the county by state law).

[backtoblue]

5. Thanks!

I actually worked as an official this cycle. Our little precinct went smoothly and we had no poll watchers sign up or any shenanigans outside.

Even in this VERY red area, the election officials are professional and perform their duties with pride.

PS. Hope to see ya in MIRT this next term

[lapfog_1]

2. without knowing anything at all about the situation

other than the phrase "Rudy and some GOP guy" a rational person would conclude that they are lying.

[backtoblue]

6. Touche

[whttevrr]

13. ha ha ha 😅

Thanks, needed that.

[yellowdogintexas]

3. trying to bully their way into the room to harrass the counters.

We scan our mail ins, but the ballot board has already completed the verification process which we started doing Oct 15.

However my friend on the ballot board said that "observers" crowded into the building to the point that the ballot board folks couldn't get out of the room to use the restroom. This room has a wall of windows on the outside wall and on one of the inside walls, with blinds drawn. Finally the Elections Administrator said he would open the blinds if they all stayed outside. These were not offical poll watchers either. Since this was merely signature screening of the mailing envelopes the 100 foot rule may not have applied; secrecy envelopes were not opened until Tuesday when voting began.

I firmly believe that one of the instructions given to the sheep was to disrupt the process wherever possible. Hence the mess in Michigan and the hollering in PA

If you are not a registered poll watcher, you are SOL and 100 foot rule should apply.

[backtoblue]

7. That is my understanding as well

Gotta give so much props to these hard working election workers. Long hours, little or no pay, crazies busting up in their workspace...


Having worked for the first time this election, I have so much respect for the long timers.

[backtoblue]

8. That is my understanding as well

Gotta give so much props to these hard working election workers. Long hours, little or no pay, crazies busting up in their workspace...


Having worked for the first time this election, I have so much respect for the long timers.

[mcar]

4. I was a credentialed poll watcher yesterday in Fl

Did a full 13-hour shift.

I had to attend several training sessions sponsored by the FL Democratic Party, get a signed letter and badge from the Supervisor of Elections.

I also poll watched a few shifts for early voting. I saw not one Republican poll watcher.

We also had poll observers outside, 150 ft from the polling place. That way, we could communicate if there were any issues.

I believe that the Republicans just thought they could muscle their way into situations like in PA. But the rules are the rules.

Rudy can pound sand.

[backtoblue]

10. Thank you mcar!

I worked as an election official. We didnt have any pollwatchers sign up. My day was about 13 hours too.

I found that rep and dems both took their jobs and oaths seriously. It was quite an experience.

[mcar]

14. That was my experience too, backtoblue

The poll workers were so professional, and very kind to me.

Thanks for your contribution to the cause!

[DeminPennswoods]

9. Poll watchers are inside and there are strict rules

on their behavior. They have to be certified by their party to be a poll watcher and bring that certification with them to show the judge of elections.

What Rudy's presumably referring to is that Rs were not allowed to watch inside the satellite election offices where voters were going to apply for/receive/fill out and return their absentee ballot. The courts ruled they weren't entitled to "poll watch" at those locations.

[gollygee]

11. There are always tons of poll watchers

and some of them are serious partisans. They take this job for a reason. You have people who would definitely say something paying very close attention to all voting. This is all bullshit.

[KentuckyWoman]

12. 99% chance he's flat lying.

https://codes.findlaw.com/pa/title-25-ps-elections-electoral-districts/pa-st-sect-25-2687.html

The law states they have to stay outside the enclosed area. NY Post (Trumpys) say registered observers are 25 ft and that is too far. Biden camp is not whining. I should think with social distancing measures, 25 feet from the farthest away ballot counters in the center of the room is reasonable.

[yellowcanine]

16. If you can't see what is going on from 25 feet you need some new glasses.

Course Rudy's glasses always look as if he never cleans them so there is that.

[yellowcanine]

15. There are poll watchers, they just aren't Rudy and his gang. Hopefully it will stay that way.

They are just flinging shit against the wall to see what sticks.