What's the supposed reason for calling for "poll watchers"? I mean, obviously...

[Ms. Toad]

12. Nothing nefarious about poll watchers. They are called different things -

But I've been an observer (what they are called in Ohio) for the last 3 presidential elections, and plan to be one again this time.

They are appointed on behalf of the presidential candidate - generally - to ensure that things run smoothly. So (formally, Barack Obama appointed me twice and Hillary Clinton once.) We're trained to note when things are wrong (e.g. when voters are being given bad information, when the Democratic pollworker steps away without a replacement leaving the Republican pollworker the only one in place, to assist voters in getting to the right precinct, figuring out why they aren't on the roster, etc., and to note missing voters so we can do a last minute get-out-the vote effort).

Democrats have always (in contested states) at least had a full complement of observers. Republicans have generally not. They may be waking up to the reality that they should have observers.