Poll watchers inspect voting materials to make sure they are accurate
Poll watchers are people who watch over an election to make sure that it takes place in accordance with the laws. Poll watchers check the credentials of voters who arrive at the polls, check the validity of votes and make sure that votes are properly recorded. Poll watchers may be required to be registered voters for the area where they are observing the polls.
Authorization
Poll watchers must obtain proper authorization to perform this job. There may be restrictions on the number of poll watchers who can be present at a voting location. Poll watchers are selected by interested groups, such as issue advocacy organizations, political parties or political candidates, and may receive official documents certifying their eligibility.
Voting Observation
Poll watchers observe voting methods. The poll watcher observes the recording of the vote as well as the operation of the voting machines. According to New York City's Poll Watcher's Guide, responsibilities include comparing information recorded by a voting machine with information recorded on a paper ballot. The poll watcher may also inspect the voting booths to make sure they have not been modified.
Verifying Credentials
Poll watchers must verify voting credentials. Watchers make sure that each voter who shows identification is registered and listed on the sign-in sheet as a resident of the area. This includes checks to make sure that a voter is not voting in more than one location. Watchers record information on who has voted and who has not voted. Poll watchers also compare signatures on registration forms to the signatures on the voter's identification cards, and they check visual identification.
Reporting Violations
Law enforcement is not a duty of poll watchers. Poll watchers cannot prevent an individual from voting, although they do report any election law violations to police officers and elections officials. Poll watchers can report a voter for electioneering or attempting to campaign for a political candidate at the voting location, and they have a duty to be impartial and not electioneer themselves.
Verifying Instructions
Poll watchers record the information given in voting instructions to make sure it is correct. This is an important task, because incorrect information leads to serious controversies such as those recorded in the 2000 Presidential election. Poll watchers make sure that the information given to voters is clear and complete, and they are allowed to inspect the demonstrations provided to voters on methods used to mark the ballots.
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