Last revised—May 2010

Election Observer Manual Overview

Election Observer Manual

Navigating Tips

How to Make this Work for You

•Click anywhere for next slide. •Click underlined links to jump there.•Click on back-arrow for previous slide.•Click to return to the Table of Contents.•Click on a tab at any time to jump to that section.

TOC

• Election Manual p XX

Tip

This TIP refers to the page in the Election Manual where you can find the detail about the topic.

Table of Contents

Observation BasicsBefore Voting Takes Place During VotingAfter Voting Takes PlaceForms

Election Observer Manual Overview

TOC

TOC

Observation Basics

• What Observation Means• Where Observation Occurs

Glossary

Ensuring

fairness and

justice!

TOC

What Observation Means

• Observe and document only.• Do not discuss politics or wear

anything political.• Do not handle any official

election documents.• Be courteous and polite.

Caution: The chief inspector can have you removed for any reason.

• Election Manualp 25

Tip

TOC

Where Observation Occurs

Prior to Election Day at:

• The municipal clerk’s office during the absentee voting period.

• Nursing homes and community facilities.

On Election Day at the polls:

• During voting. • After polls close to witness the ballot

count (open to all citizens).

Note: Half-day shifts at the polls are also encouraged.

• Election Manualp

Tip

TOC

• Going to the Polls on Election Day

• What to Do Once You Arrive• Who Else Is Involved• Who Is Eligible to Vote• Who Is Not Eligible to Vote

Before Voting

TOC

Going to the Polls on Election Day

• Polls open at 7:00 AM. Plan on being early.

• Make sure you have the manual.• Take a notebook and a pen for

documenting incidents. • Your cell phones can only be used for

personal reasons outside the polling place (in a hallway, another room…).

• Bring your own:– Food– Drink– Folding chair

TOC

What to Do Once You Arrive

• Sign in to get an observer nametag.• Locate and set-up your spot in the

designated area for observing.• Make sure you are able to hear the

voters.• Check out the polling place:

– Traffic flow.– Security of ballots.– Voting machines.

TOC

Who Else Is Involved

• Chief Election Inspector• Poll Workers• Greeters• Other Election Observers• Attorneys from political parties

Note: You should not act as a greeter – you are there to observe.

TOC

Who Is Eligible to Vote

A voter must be:• 18 years old• A U.S. Citizen• A resident for at least 10 days• Registered to vote

TOC

Who Is Not Eligible to Vote

• Felons• A resident for less than 10 days• Temporary resident with the intent to

move• A person under guardianship deemed

incompetent• Anyone who has made a bet or wager

on the election

TOC

• Registration at the Polls• Verifying Residence• The Voting Process at the Polls• Absentee Ballots• Challenging Voters• Reasons for Challenging• Electioneering at the Polls

During Voting

TOC

Registration at the Polls

Many errors can happen at the registration table; this is the most important area to observe.

• Registrants must fill out a registration form and produce an I.D.– A Driver’s License must be used for ID, even

if it has been lost, stolen or suspended.– A state issued I.D. or the last four digits of

the Social Security Number may be used, only if the person has never been issued a driver’s license.

• Residency must be verified.

TOC

Verifying Residence•The following documents may be used to verify residence:

• Wisconsin Driver’s License• Wisconsin State ID• ID or license issued by a Wisconsin governmental body• Any photo ID card issued by an employer – not a business card• Real estate tax bill or receipt for current or preceding year• Residential lease that’s effective for a period covering Election

Day• University, college or technical institute fee card which includes a

photo• University, college or technical institute ID card which includes a

photo• A gas, electric, or telephone utility bill for the period beginning no

more than 90 days prior to Election Day• A bank statement• A paycheck• A check or other document issued by a unit of government• A corroborating witness

• Print this slide and take it with you to the polls.

Tip

TOC

• Voter gets in line at the check-in table.• Once at the table, the voter, not the

poll worker, states name and address.• Two poll workers check the voter’s

name on identical poll lists.

The Voting Process at the Polls

If the name is … Then…On the list the voter is issued a voter

number and a ballot.Not on the list the individual is sent to the

registration table.

• Voter goes into voting booth and votes, then inserts his ballot into the machine.

TOC

Absentee Ballots

• Citizens are allowed to vote by mail or at the clerk’s office up to 30 days prior to Election Day.

• These “absentee” ballots are delivered to the polling place (or a central count location) on Election Day.

• Poll workers assigned to this:– Announce the name of the voter on the

absentee ballot envelope.– Check for a witness’s signature on the envelope.– Cast the ballot into the voting machine.

• Election observers (that’s you) may also challenge these ballots.

TOC

Challenging Voters

• Election Observers should call the HOTLINE for assistance.

• Observers have the right to challenge a voter’s right to vote.

• The challenge must occur before the voter is given a ballot.

• Observers must signify to the Chief Election Inspector their intent “to challenge.”

• It is the Chief Inspector’s job to make a decision and conduct the challenge process.

TOC

Reasons for Challenging

• The challenge must be based on the following questions:– Are they a citizen of the U.S.?– Are they 18 years old?– Are they a resident for at least 10 days?– Are they a felon who has not had their

rights restored?– Have they been judged incompetent?– Have they made a bet or wager?– Have they already voted in this election?

TOC

Electioneering at the Polls

• The following must be 100+ feet from the polling place:– Candidates, political supporters, or activists.– Distribution of campaign materials or display

of campaign signs.

• A vehicle with political bumper sticker may remain ONLY as long as it takes its owner to vote.

• No political discussions may take place inside the polls.

• Voters are allowed to wear political apparel, but they must leave as soon as they finish voting.

TOC

• After the Polls Close• Closing Procedures

After Voting

TOC

After the Polls Close

• The polls must close at 8:00 PM, unless by court order.

• The chief election inspector will position a designated poll worker at the end of the line at 8:00 PM.

• Any citizen, including a candidate, is allowed into the polling place to witness the counting of ballots.

TOC

Closing Procedures

• Election observers are asked to witness the closing procedures – a crucial part of the Election Day.

• This process has many facets – at the first sign of trouble call the HOTLINE.

• Tabulators aid the poll workers in counting and tallying the votes.

• Numerous forms must be filled out and certified.

• Ballots (used and unused) must be accounted for, secured, and sealed.

• Documentation of this process must be included in your notes.

Final Comment

Congratulations and Thank You!• Your day is done.• Make sure you answer the questions

from the questionnaire at the back of the manual directly into your notes.

• Organize and secure all your documentation and take it home with you.

• If there is a recall or problem at your polling place, you will be called upon for your documentation! It is important.

Last revised—May 2010

Thank you for your service to our country

TOC

• Official Election Observer Manual

• Hotline Data Sheet• Questionnaire

Forms

TOC

Hotline Data SheetHOTLINE NUMBER: 1 -______ -______ -________

Municipal Clerk: _________________________ Phone: _________________________________

County Clerk: ____________________________ Phone: _________________________________ How the HOTLINE NUMBER works:

– This number changes every election. It connects to people who will help you determine what to do.Why you should call:

– You should call whenever you see or hear something that is out of the ordinary. Pay attention to the contents of this manual and the examples it contains for further guidance.

When you should call: – You may call before the polls open, throughout the day, or after the polls close with any questions

you have regarding something you have observed during your shift, especially if you have brought it to the attention of the Chief Election Inspector and it has not been resolved.

How you should call: – Make sure you bring a cell phone and paper and pen for use during your shift on Election Day. You

are not allowed to call from inside the polling place itself, so make sure you step out into a hallway or outside if necessary. It may be important for you to make your call from a location that is more private so as not to be overheard.

You should:– Document the information with the date and time the incident occurred.– Include a description of the person in general and a name if at all possible.– Include a description about the incident itself with the names of any people involved. – Document the steps you may have taken to get it corrected in case there is a problem with the

polling place or the election in general.

Print this page.

TOC

Questionnaire• Save your notes until after the election has been certified and there is no chance of a recount. If you feel there are any problems as you

document your day, call the HOTLINE NUMBER. If you are assigned to the first shift of the day:

1. Document the county, municipality and wards where you are observing. 2. Note the date and the time your shift began. 3. Note the names of any election officials present, including the Chief Election Inspector and the poll workers. 4. Are there any other campaigns or groups present? 5. Did all election officials agree that the machines present were the proper machines? 6. Did at least two election officials identify each machine; verify that it was the proper machine; that it was in the proper

working order and that it was secure? 7. Did each machine’s vote counting mechanism show a “zero count” (no pre-Election Day votes)? 8. Did the machines appear to be well kept and in working condition?

• Observations to be made throughout your shift (remember to include the time and a description of the event or situation, and a description or the names of any people involved):

1. Answer questions 1-4 above. 2. How many election officials were present in the polling place? 3. Were there any unauthorized persons in the polling place? 4. Were there long lines at the polls? 5. How long was the wait to cast a ballot? Check this at various times throughout the day. 6. How many voting booths were there? 7. Did the voting equipment appear to be in good working order? 8. Are there adequate supplies? (Blank ballots, marking pens, etc.) 9. Was the polling place handicapped accessible? 10. Were election instructions posters displayed where they could be easily read? 11. Is there any campaigning in the polling place? 12. Do you see any effort to intimidate or interfere with individuals seeking to cast a ballot? 13. Were you ever barred from observing the voting process? 14. Are voters who are in the wrong polling place being redirected to the proper one? 15. Are there any instances where a voter was permitted to vote a regular ballot (not a provisional one) even though the

voter wasn’t qualified to do so? 16. Did provisional voters and poll-workers properly complete and sign the certifications on the provisional ballot

envelope? Are provisional ballots being placed in the provisional ballot envelopes, sealed and placed in the separate provisional ballot box or envelope?

17. Have you observed any voter that voted more than once? 18. Does anything seem unusual about the polling place?

Print this page.