Did some web surfing today and came up with a number of good tips for us poll watchers. So I thought I would consolidate them into a single diary and add what I think are some common sense tidbits of my own. If you have already been trained you can ignore this. Hope it helps:
- Bring a pad and several pens - You will need these to document any repub. challenges or simply to explain a ballot to a confused voter.
- Bring Local Precinct Maps - I have heard these are sometimes hard to get a hold of, but you might check with local DNC reps. or get them through one of the groups like MOVE-ON or ACT. If you can find them it will help you in assisting a voter who is told he/she is in the wrong precinct.
(More in Extended Entry)
- Provisional Ballots As A Last Resort - If a voter has registration problems, try to see if the poll worker will allow the voter to vote on Nov. 2 by showing some proof of residency and/or signing an affadivit of residency. Provisional ballots should only be used when all other avenues to allow the voter to vote on Nov. 2 have been exhausted. Determining whether a provisional ballot will be counted is a new frontier and no one can predict how this will go. The best way for a voter to have his vote count is to vote on or in some States before Election Day. Also, provisional ballots could be subject to post-Election Day Repub. challenges.
- Contesting Challenges - If there are republican challenges to individual voters, stay calm. Ask for the basis of the challenge. Ask what evidence, if any, there is to support the challenge. Ask the voter if he / she has any ID that would prove their identity and residency (e.g., drivers license, utility bill, etc.). See if the poll worker will allow the person to vote if he / she is willing to sign an affadivit of residency. Again, provisional ballots should be a last resort in the event the poll worker will not allow the person to vote on Election Day. (I hear you Ohio people probably won't have to worry about such challenges.)
- Document Challenges - Write down as much as you can about each challenge, especially if it results in the voter voting by provissional ballot. If the voter is willing, take down their name address and phone number. Give this information to your DNC or Independent group rep. This information may be vital in post-Election Day determinations on provisional ballots.
- Know Your Ballot - You should become thoroughly familiar with your precinct's ballot. Answer any voter questions about the ballot only if your sure of your answer. If you are at all in doubt, direct the voter to a poll worker.
- Stay Calm - Lastly and most importantly, stay calm. Do not engage in any arguments with voters, poll workers or Repub. challengers. If you feel a voter is being unfairly denied the right to vote, document, it so that it can be resolved later. Do not confront the poll worker. Also, in certain districts repub. challengers or poll watchers may be greatly outnumbered by voters who dislike or object to their presence. If this is the case, do not instigate or participate in any mob-like behavior. This sort of thing does nothing to help the cause, and gives the repubs. the ability to make legal claims that they were intimidated and deprived of their right to watch the polls and challenge voters, where its allowed.
Hope this helps someone out there. If anyone has more good tips feel free to add them on. GOTV!