What to do if a poll watcher approaches you

[Hawaii Hiker]

[JustAnotherGen]

1. Kick rec and request

Could you cross post this in the African American, Latino, Asian, and Native American groups?

[Hawaii Hiker]

3. How do i cross post something?

Can a post be done once, and linked to the various groups?

[Hekate]

31. Simply start a new OP in each of the relevant groups. Since you have timely info...

....that minorities will find useful, this is a good way to see that those groups will see it as their front pages move more slowly than GD and GD2016.

[The Green Manalishi]

64. Alleged poll watcher is going to get a Union Made in America boot up thier

butt.

I am not a small guy. I am *NOT* a nice person to any foe of democracy.

There would be no moral difference between beating the crap out of someone who would try to intimidate a voter and blowing up a member of ISIS, it's only a matter of blowback.

[awoke_in_2003]

92. I wear made in the US Red Wings...

are they union made? I hope so.

[The Green Manalishi]

113. The made in the USA ones probably are

My mechanic's shoes and my work boots were, at least per the Red Wing sales person.

[liberal N proud]

2. Only certified poll watchers will be allowed in the polls

These people must be cleared by their party and board of elections, otherwise they will not be allowed to stay inside the polling location.

Both sides will have people inside and they have to go through training from with the board of elections and given a certificate that they must have with them insidea the polling location.

They will not be allowed to approach voters or they will be removed. If they see a violation, they will be required to leave the location and call a designated lawyer.

I have done this in the past and have been asked by the Clinton campaign to do it again this year.

[longship]

4. Yup! I have poll watched before.

You are absolutely not allowed to impede the voting process. And you don't get to be a poll watcher without training about the voting laws.

[pansypoo53219]

100. they sequestered the party people out of the way at my polling place.

[longship]

102. Yup! Out of the way to the side.

You are an observer, ONLY!

[MrModerate]

11. Is the practice uniform?

What I've been reading, how poll watchers are treated varies widely based on local practices.

[Ms. Toad]

56. It varies from state to state.

In my state, we don't get certificates - for example (or at least didn't in the 2012 election), but I was allowed in the polls every day during early voting. Unless you are voting, or have an official role, you generally are not permitted to hang about in the polls. Most set a 100' electioneering-free zone outside of the doors.

I'm pretty sure that even though they are not uniform there are procedures in every state - check with the state board of elections to see what the procedure is for your state.

[Botany]

23. i have done election protection/poll watching work before and I will be so again this year

Once your are past the 100' limit to the door of the voting location NOBODY can say
anything to you outside of election workers @ the precinct. If anybody tries to challenge
your right to vote tell the precinct judge and call the police if the person does not
leave.

Nobody is allowed inside the 100' limit to the voting location and or inside the building
unless they have the credentials and or business inside the building.

If somebody tries to bother you outside the 100' limit just keep walking and don't
say anything to them but if they make physical contact w/you call the police and
let the election workers inside the building know about the problem.

[IllinoisBirdWatcher]

29. Sadly, each state is different. Pennsylvania evidently has weak protection laws.

It seems as if the place where tRump is pushing this the most is Pennsylvania.

Hopefully party officials there are already set for a strong proactive response to this threat.

[DeminPennswoods]

73. Not true

Only the election board and certified poll watchers are allowed inside the poll. Certified poll watchers can only watch, not interfere in any way. Partisans outside must be at least 100' from the poll entrance. Absolutely NO campaigning inside the poll. That means any hats, shirts, buttons, stickers promoting any candidate must be removed or covered up. Anyone preceived to be interfering with voters will be tossed out. Take this from a former Philadelphia judge of elections.

[IllinoisBirdWatcher]

82. Many thanks for clarifying and my apologies

I must be mistaken, but I thought I read that it was easier to become a poll watcher in PA than it is here in IL. We have the same 100' electioneering rule with no campaigning inside.

Thanks for the correction.

[DeminPennswoods]

88. It's not that hard to become a pollwatcher

but they have to arrive with certified credentials and absolutely cannot interfere with voters. One election I had Republican pollwatchers in my precinct poll. They had to be seated with a clear view of the voting machines, but they basically had to be silent and couldn't leave their seats from when they arrived until the poll closed. If they leave the poll, they might not be able to reenter and continue to poll watch depending on how long they're gone. They don't have to stay to watch the election board count the votes and get all the paperwork signed and copies of everything put in the official envelopes for the county, the minority party and the majority party, but if they do choose to stay and watch, they can't leave until everything is done and the official count is picked up (in Phila, that was by the police). Poll watching is really not for sissies as it's a long day, especially since you can't interact with anyone.

In Pennsylvania, poll watching is pretty silly because all of the info on who voted is given to both parties. That means a copy of the hand-written voter list, a copy of the "0" vote count tape that's printed before opening the poll and the official vote count tape at the end of the night. The voting machines have seals that must be cut and saved when opening them, then have seals that go on when the final votes are tallied and printed before the machines are closed up. Then one copy of the official vote is posted on the poll entrance for everyone to see even before the official envelope gets to the county election board.

[ColemanMaskell]

103. Is there anything to prevent thugs from harrassing voters in parking lots and on sidewalks nearby?

What I read of the text of Trump's speech in Pennsylvania sounded as though he was encouraging his would-be goons to skulk menacingly around paths and parking lots adjacent to the designated polling stations and intimidate voters before they can get to the polling places -- to the extent that I was able to understand what he meant.
Presumably the voters can call the police if that happens? Report intimidating groups of white thugs loitering in a threatening manner near the polling stations? Will police respond to that type of complaint? Can any charges be brought?

[DeminPennswoods]

108. Cmtepeople are outside

There are usually committeepeople from both parties outside handing out campaign literature. So if anything untoward was happening, one of them would likely call their party contact and report it. Soon enough lawyers with court orders and/or cops would show up. Or voters might tell someone on the election board and they would contact the right people. Every election board member has to attend training before each election regardless of experience. At least in Philly we got newspapers with all the rules, changes, contact info, etc at training. Questions on issues that might not have been covered were welcomed.

[Mc Mike]

112. 10' away for poll "monitors", 100' away for any law enforcement people.

[mainer]

34. This sounds like it's for "poll watchers" outside the official polling area

In other words, people harassing voters on the sidewalk or those waiting in line.

[The Green Manalishi]

65. As much as I loath Regan (and Eastwood) you know the quote I'm going to use here :-)

[geardaddy]

51. Yes, I have poll watched for a city council election before.

Mainly I was there to get the results at poll close and to call the campaign with those results. But I was instructed to watch for electioneering as well.

[Ms. Toad]

60. That may be the practice in your state - but each state will have its own practice.

People should check with their state boards of elections to find out the practice in their state.

[Big_K]

80. There can also be "informal" poll watchers OUTSIDE of the polls...

I was one for Obama in 2008. Idea was that if we saw something, we'd tell the official poll watcher inside.

So people can still be accosted outside by one or more deplorables.

K.

[Divine Discontent]

101. Yes, did the same for Kerry in '04, in case any of the unnamed deplorables were to

harass people, since I lived in an area that was multi-cultural. My favorite comment from that day was the GOP Poll Watcher being shocked I was a Christian and sooooooo nice but a Democrat...

LOL... I said, yeah, you can't just keep your eyes on Fox and listening to Rush - and for every thing you bring up about why I should be GOP, I can bring up something that asks you why you're not DEM.

[JonathanRackham]

5. So poll watchers can only be men?

[SHRED]

6. It's sexist wording

Good catch.

Should read "them" and "their".

[geardaddy]

55. Yes, it is sexist, but it shouldn't be "them" and "their"

since the object is singular. It should be "him or her" and "his or her"

Sorry, that's my grammar Nazi talking.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

71. language evolves and changes (mercifully)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/01/08/donald-trump-may-win-this-years-word-of-the-year/

[geardaddy]

72. That's good to know.

Thanks.

I wonder if AP or Chicago Manual of Style have followed suit.

[oberliner]

74. "Him or her" is going away just about everywhere

Due to its lack of inclusiveness of gender identifications outside of the binary.

[geardaddy]

77. Yeah, that's what I got from the article that La Lioness Priyanka posted.

Thanks.

[oberliner]

78. Maybe I need to pay for WaPo

That article was blocked for me.

Here's one I found though if you are interested:

http://www.americandialect.org/2015-word-of-the-year-is-singular-they

(Possibly redundant)

[geardaddy]

79. Thanks!

[TygrBright]

28. In this case, it certainly seems likely the overwhelming majority will be, um...

...possessed of a Y chromosome.

Normally I'm all in favor of gender-neutral language but in this case the male pronouns seem to have a high chance of precision.

wearily,
Bright

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

53. I post on another board where a woman claimed to be a poll watcher for Romney

Let's just say based on her postings, I don't trust what her methods for challenging voters would be.

[Maeve]

7. PLEASE, as a first step, alert a poll worker/election official!

We can keep this from escalating and we need to know if there is trouble ASAP. We'll get that person out of there and call the cops as needed--the FBI won't be on the scene nearly as fast as the local sherrif will be.

[Hortensis]

22. Good point, Maeve. And in the unlikely event that

officials do not act, the complaint filed with the FBI can extend upward. Yes, I know and agree, but it does happen.

I'm happy to say that when I was a poll watcher for Election Protection back in 2008 the workers at my polling place seemed to do all they could for voters who had been misdirected to the wrong places. They patrolled the lines to help people who weren't supposed to be there--before they spent long hours in their line; and when people who'd waited hours in line elsewhere only to be told they had to go here arrived, they were moved to the head of the line.

That election I had to stay 200 feet away from the polling place and recorded incidents from my station on a grassy hillside overlooking it.

[pampango]

95. Thank you. I'm a poll worker in Ohio. Every poll worker I know would not put up

with an observer doing anything other than observing. Tell a worker if they don't see the violation. If they don't do anything, call the board of elections and/or the local police.

[TonyPDX]

8. Yet another reason I'm happy that we vote by mail here in Oregon.

[napi21]

70. Oregon and their vote by mail program is the first thing I thought of when reading this OP.

I would LOVE for EVERY STATE to switch to that process. I honestly can't see a downside.

[randome]

9. Or this.

[hr][font color="blue"][center]You have to play the game to find out why you're playing the game. -Existenz[/center][/font][hr]

[procon]

10. All states have rules governing poll watchers.

Check out what your state allows here:

http://www.ncsl.org/research/elections-and-campaigns/poll-watcher-qualifications.aspx


My State, California, has an official guide for poll watchers that includes a warning:

"The use of force, violence, tactic of coercion or intimidation to compel
a person to refrain from voting at any election is a felony punishable by
imprisonment in state prison for up to three years."

https://www.lavote.net/documents/a-guide-for-poll-watchers.pdf

[Buckeye_Democrat]

12. I'm getting ready to vote TODAY in Ohio.

I better not be interfered! It's never happened in the past, but the Trump supporters are kooks.

A Republican poll worker once said that the picture on my driver's license didn't look like me (I had shaved my head and wasn't wearing glasses before that picture was taken), but that was the closest to being disenfranchised that I've experienced. I think the old man might've been joking too, but I wasn't sure.

[PunksMom]

33. Let us know how it went please.

[Buckeye_Democrat]

66. Pretty easy... once I realized that I needed to vote downtown! Lol.

I've never voted early except by absentee (mail), so I foolishly drove to my local precinct first!

It was closed, so I looked at my local board of elections website again and realized that all early voting was at a downtown location.

I was pretty dumb to assume that a bunch of different polling precincts would be open all over the county for early voting!

Anyway, I didn't see any Trump supporters. There was a small group of cheerful African Americans passing out Democratic literature just beyond the 100-foot barrier of the building. It turned out that I didn't need to look up the party affiliation of local justices beforehand because they were all shown on one of their pamphlets. (Ohio doesn't show the party affiliation of justices on the ballots.)

All voters had been directed to a large nearby parking garage and received a voucher for free parking after exiting the polling place.

I voted all-Democrat!

[ladym55]

107. Hooray for you!!

Thanks from another Buckeye. We'll be early voting next week.

[Buckeye_Democrat]

67. Also...

1. I brought my driver's license, but didn't need it. Writing down the last 4 digits of my SS number and my name, DOB and address was all that was needed. I had to sign and date the card as well.

2. It was moderately busy. There was a pretty high percentage of AA voters when I was there.

3. I verified that the print-out of my votes matched what I selected on the electronic device.

[PunksMom]

69. Thanks! I'm glad it went smoothly for you:)

I so wish Pa. had early voting.

[lark]

13. Vote Early!

Avoid the angry assholes. It will be hard for Russia to steal the vote if Clinton is so far ahead on early voting.

[Sunsky]

57. This nt

[flamin lib]

14. The use of recording devices, including cell phones, is prohibited in Texas. nt

[niyad]

49. even outside the polling place? I think that we are actually talking about der drumpfenfuhrer's

brown shirts, who will be outside, more than likely.

[flamin lib]

50. No electioneering within 100 ft of the door. No signs, pamphlets or other political promotion.

Also no interfering with voter's access to the polls anywhere on the property. Recording is considered intimidation.

[niyad]

52. hmmm, calling spies 'r us--need lapel pin camera immediately!!

[armed_and_liberal]

15. Can we just grab them by the poll?

or what little there likely is.

[Cal33]

16. I'm glad I live in a blue state and I don't have this problem. It's a great idea getting

the FBI involved in this type of fraud.

One of the more difficult problems to resolve is the fraudulent electronic
voting machines. They leave no trace.

[maddiemom]

17. Having served as an official poll watcher a few times,

I deeply resent these "Trump goons" being referred to by that title. I highly agree that voting machines need to go.

[Hortensis]

26. Agree entirely with both. They are NOT "poll watchers."

[ffr]

18. Better than picture, VIDEO RECORD them impeding voters, then call

Most cell phones do that quite nicely.

[sarge43]

19. Thank you for posting this. Good to know.

I just put the FBI number on the contact list. I doubt anything will happen - the local cops are in the same building as the polling place, but with Trump's true believers, you never know.

[workinclasszero]

20. Please try to impede and obstruct me from my right to vote

all you deplorable scumbags!

PLEASE TRY IT ASSHOLES!!!!

That's all I have to say.

[UCmeNdc]

21. Thanks This should be printed in MSM newspapers and put in ads on TV

No one ever said what do you do if you are challenged at the polls.

[angrychair]

24. Thanks for this

I've have been a poll observer since 2004 but I live in Washington now...no polls here and happy for it. Here you fill out your ballot, seal it in an envelope, sign it and drop it in a special box, 2 weeks before Election Day if you do it quickly enough. I will vote long before Election Day.

[brooklynite]

25. NO! NO! NO!

First, broadly speaking, I don't like getting legal advice from internet memes...

Second, taking photos in a polling place may be equally illegal.

Third, calling the FBI (which office?) is, at that moment, massive overkill that will not achieve anything productive. Feel free to call afterwards, but for the moment, deal with the people in front of you.

As a former Ward Committeeman / Poll Watcher / Election official, let me offer some different advice.

FIRST: anyone who challenges you directly should be asked to identify themselves and state their authority for doing so.

SECOND: anyone challenged should talk to the Democratic Poll Watcher in the voting site AND/OR the voter protection volunteer (I'll be one) outside. These people will be able to tell you your rights and support you in any challenge to your right to vote. They will know the law, and they will know the options you have. They will also be able to report the challenge to campaign headquarters which will be able to notify the media, public officials, and the judiciary as necessary.

THIRD: don't leave unless directed to by the Democratic Poll Watcher (sometimes requesting a Court Order may be the desirable plan of action) or by the police or other authorities (they may be exceeding their authority, but this isn't the place to fight it out). You have waited in line, and you should not give up your position until such time as your situation is resolved.

[PunksMom]

35. And NEVER leave without voting a provisional ballot.

[mainer]

36. I suspect Trump poll watchers will be outside the polling area

and patrolling the sidewalks to stop you even before you get inside the building. Outside the building, taking pictures should be legal.

What we need is voter protection outside the building.

[brooklynite]

37. That's where Voter Protection teams will be located

Out of State volunteers, even lawyers, have no authority in another State's polling place. They'll be posted outside and will be in communication with Campaign HQ if legal action is required.

[mainer]

44. the real problem will be precincts with large #s minorities

I hope there are Voter Protection volunteers to cover every precinct around the country.

[SharonClark]

63. My experience as well in my precinct.

I've been a poll watcher and the number of the VP lawyer was always handy. It felt reassuring that I never had to make that call. I love poll watching and seeing my neighbors vote D.

[Blue Idaho]

39. Excellent Advice...

First and foremost, learn your state's requirements for poll watchers. Know what paperwork they must file and what documents they must have to act in that capacity. Also be courteous to all the people and respect the process. If you have questions - ask them. It's important to know your rights as a voter and to understand the legal process of voting in your state.

[Ms. Toad]

58. In Ohio, at least, the third point is not good advice.

Yes, contact the Democratic Poll Watcher.

BUT, depending on the reaction of the Democratic Poll Watcher that could result in the poll watcher being kicked out and leaving the precinct without democratic eyes on the ground.

If asked by the officials to leave, don't jepoardize leaving the poll without a poll watcher for the rest of the day by insisting on direction from someone who (at least in Ohio) is not authorized to permit you to stay in the poll. If a poll watcher is removed by the board of elections, in our county we only have 2 people authorized to be roving replacements.

Our poll watchers have the means to reach the "war room" of democratic observers, who have connections to the Board of Elections to obtain a formal resolution. Waiting in the parking lot will not jeopardize your right to vote - and will also not jeopardize our ability to keep eyes on the ground for the rest of the day.

[Cooley Hurd]

76. Thanks brooklynite!

I looked it up and you're 100% correct. Here's a link to a poll watcher's guide for NYC:

http://vote.nyc.ny.us/downloads/pdf/documents/boe/pollworkers/pollwatchersguide.pdf

[blueseas]

27. K&R

Read, please!

[mcar]

30. K&R

Thanks.

[sarae]

32. K&R

[vercetti2021]

38. K&R

I live in a pretty red area in Texas. But never know man. Besides knowing me and my smart ass attitude I'd end up getting punched. Big mistake for the tDump supporter.

[GWC58]

40. I've never

had any problems with poll watchers. Living in a Blue state helps, of course. That being said I do live in a red pocket. Mr. Anti-cannabis Andy Harris is my Representative.😱😩 I knew when that tea party asshole handily won his primary it's two more years of his ass. I'm voting Democratic no doubt!🤗

[nolabear]

41. People should print up flyers and hand them out at polling places.

I assume that's permitted? Or since they're wearing red shirts (so they claim) people wear blue ones and simply stand beside them.

It's weird being in a mail-in vote state. On the one hand you can vote early and don't have to face those people with fear. On the other I suppose votes can be coerced in private. But I doubt that would be a big factor.

What an insane time.

[dembotoz]

42. i generally like to vote on election day to see for myself if there are problems

participation in my precinct seems lower than elsewhere in the school where i vote so lines are not a problem.

i live in a very red town in a very red area so red assured the polls are well staffed and the process is smooth.

my main complaint is that the pta used to have a bake sale fundraiser which has been discontinued and i miss the
chance to get some cookies afterward

[allan01]

43. when will the rs realize that it is all peoples have the right to vote

thanks for the info. i vote by mail i dont drive .

[perdita9]

45. Cameras are not allowed in Pennsylvania Polling Stations

Although you can take a picture of your ballot in the voting booth.

[Stonepounder]

46. I live in one of the bright red states (sigh)

However, my polling place is City Hall and the police dept is right behind the City Hall bldg. Since KY is so Red, I doubt that anyone is going to challenge. But if they do, I'll be ready.

[geardaddy]

47. Great advice!

Though, I'm not worried. I live in one of bluest districts in the country. My rep is Keith Ellison!



I thought about watching the poll watchers though.

[oasis]

48. I wish a Trumpoid would try to block me from my rights as a citizen.

Here's the cellphone I'm gonna use.

[calimary]

54. I put it on my Facebook page and pinned it to the top of my Twitter page.

Yay! I never tried that "pin it to the top" on Twitter before! Learning as I go! I may actually become more agile on Twitter because of this campaign. Never dealt with it much, before now.

[elmac]

59. I think there should be a number 4 option on that list

kick um in the balls if he doesn't step aside.

[bluestateguy]

115. Yes thank you.

nt

[ProudProgressiveNow]

61. K&R nt

[SunSeeker]

62. K & R & bookmarked!

[burrowowl]

68. K&R!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[murielm99]

75. Contact your election authority first.

Most of the time, that is the county clerk. I live in a red county, but I know they don't want that going on here. They are scrupulous in most cases. They will call the police if needed.

Take it further up the chain only if necessary. GOTV first.

[dflprincess]

106. County or City Clerk

as well as contacting your state's Secretary of State (assuming that's who oversees elections in your state).

Also, campaigns may have hot lines set up for voting problems.

[raven mad]

81. I've actually been one, several times.

Mostly to answer questions, and remaining nonpartisan.

[PCIntern]

83. I had a problem in 2008 here in PA

I kept asking "who are you sir?" About 20 times loudly. The whole polling place went silent. I said I was going to call the States Attorney General. H finally told the lady I could vote. I wasn't done. I said that I was going to call the Law when I finished. Which I did

[beachbum bob]

84. I recommend posting this photo and a comment on your facebook wall every day from now to the

election...we will not let zealots turn America into some 3rd world country

[Beartracks]

85. "Poll watcher" should be in quotes.

Much like the "voter fraud problem" they are purportedly so worried about.

=============

[Bill USA]

86. excellent. I would add: ask for their name and identification so you have the correct info for your

complaint.

[patricia92243]

87. What are they watching for? How would they know that I am going to vote Dem? This has never made

sense to me.

[ColemanMaskell]

104. The plan seems to be for them to operate at polling locations in non-white areas.

Non-white voters are overwhelmingly pro-Democratic, especially in this election.

[GulfCoast66]

89. Since I am a white man

Who drives a truck and wears boots no one will think to challenge me. They will make incorrect assumptions about my vote.

However, if on the off chance someone attempts to challenge my right to vote I will put those boots to work.

[RainCaster]

90. In Washington State we can mail our ballots in

No Trumpettes can intimidate us!

[annabanana]

91. 100% pass it on to Philly

I believe there may be some real probs in Pa

[The Wizard]

93. Try this

You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You are entitled to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney one will be provided for you.

[MineralMan]

94. Grope him?

[unitedwethrive]

96. Thanks for posting!

[ThoughtCriminal]

97. Too bad we didn't have cell phone cameras

When Rhenquist was harassing minority voters in Arizona. Would have been fun to show that when he denied doing it at his confirmation hearings.

[pansypoo53219]

98. if i get one, he WILL be groped.

[Auntie Bush]

99. Kick him/her in the groin and push them out of the way.

[Marthe48]

105. Snopes has accurate phone numbers

I just was on the www.snopes.com site and this meme is featured. Snopes doesn't debunk the advice, but gives phone numbers to agencies that can help better. PA is going to be a state where 'poll watchers' have leeway to be obstructive.

http://www.snopes.com/2016/10/12/how-should-voters-respond-to-unlicensed-poll-watchers/

[47of74]

109. I'd show the poll watcher this...

...and tell him or her to guess which animal I am in this photo and what he or she is dangerously close to doing by getting in my way.

[ochem]

110. Im thinking about

Being a Poll Watcher Watcher.

[OldRedneck]

111. In Virginia . . .

There are three groups of people at the polls:

1. Officers of Election. These are the people inside the polls who check you in to ensure you are registered; hand you a ballot; point you to the voting machines; assist if you ask for help.

2. Poll watchers/observers. These people are authorized by each party to sit/stand inside the polling place and OBSERVE operations . . they do not talk with voters, do not have anything to do with the process. They watch.

3. Campaign workers. These are the people outside the polls handing out literature for their candidates, posting signs, etc. In VA, they must be 40 feet away from the entrance -- we paint a line on the ground that they cannot cross.

If anyone other than an Officer of Election inside the polls offers to check your registration, asks you name, etc., they are hindering your right to vote. IMMEDIATELY tell someone working inside the polls, and, call the cops if you wish.

In my small rural VA county, we already have coordinated with the sheriff and state police to quell any nonsense at the polls.

[bora13]

114. just do it

An anticipated t-rump comment, "If I win there will be a lot of people committing suicide, big league"