Poll watcher responsibilities and roles vary state by state. In some states, such as Pennsylvania, counties may set limitations for what poll watchers can do in public spaces where ballot drop boxes are located, such as disallowing observers from standing within 10 feet of a drop box. Elsewhere, such as in the battleground state of Georgia, rules allow up to two poll watchers per precinct to stand within 6 feet of the area around voting stations. A recent rule change was intended to expand the number of designated locations where poll watchers could observe the process, but that rule was permanently blocked in court on Oct. 16.

“It’s pretty simple,” Jackie Doyer, Honest Elections Project’s legal and policy director, told the Washington Examiner. “Poll watchers are really there just to watch and observe. Their roles are going to be limited to, you know, seeing what’s taking place and if there are any irregularities that they do see, then reporting that to the appropriate authority.”

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Under the direction of Lara Trump, the Republican National Committee has worked to have more than 230,000 volunteer poll watchers strategically assembled in 13 states, with plans to send some of these poll watchers into more rural areas.

But even though poll watching has been a legal practice for the better part of a century, there have already been instances of threats made against these people.

The Justice Department announced four indictments related to investigations brought by its “Election Threats Task Force,” including one on Oct. 16 against a 62-year-old Philadelphia man who allegedly threatened to kill a representative of a Pennsylvania state political party who was recruiting volunteers for poll watching. 

Amid threats and even investigations into arson against election infrastructure unfolding this week, former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler, a Republican who lost her seat in 2020, has been leading “thousands of poll watchers” in the Peach State and has even touted an “election integrity hotline” backed by the state GOP that residents can call if they need to report any suspicious behavior at polling sites.

The Washington Examiner contacted this number and, after a brief waiting period, was prompted to leave a message describing any voter concerns or election issues and told that a representative would follow up at a later time.

Just finished poll watching in Fulton County – and here’s what I’ll say.

With poll watchers, attorneys, and the @GaRepublicans election integrity hotline (404-738-8393), there is NO good reason to stay home.

Swamp the vote for President Trump! #MAGA pic.twitter.com/KGNrIFY8jF

— Kelly Loeffler (@KLoeffler) October 24, 2024

While not everyone is eligible to be a poll watcher, election integrity experts told the Washington Examiner that taking advantage of resources such as the hotline supplied by the RNC can empower people to play a role in the reporting of irregularities.

Here’s a comprehensive look at what poll watchers do, what restrictions they face, and why they’re essential to election oversight.

Who are poll watchers?

Poll watchers are volunteers designated by candidates or political parties to monitor polling places or ballot-counting sites. Each state sets its own rules for what poll watchers can and can’t do, according to tables compiled by the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Their primary function is to ensure that voting procedures are followed correctly, keeping an eye out for irregularities such as improper voter assistance, campaigning too close to polling places, or any signs of intimidation.

While they observe, poll watchers may document any unusual activity and report issues to election supervisors, party officials, or law enforcement officers, though they are not allowed to interfere directly or physically with a person attempting to vote at a polling station.

What are poll watchers allowed to do?

Poll watchers are generally allowed to observe nearly all aspects of the election process, from the setup of voting machines to the transfer of ballots to a central counting site.

They look out for actions that might compromise the election, such as attempts to tamper with voting equipment, bribe voters, or provide incorrect instructions to voters.

In most states, poll watchers are also permitted to keep track of voter turnout and can be provided the count of how many voters have voted in each precinct.

However, the role of a poll watcher is mostly observational, and in nearly all states, the poll watchers are instructed to bring any challenges to voters to an election official or local judge.

Some states give broader powers for poll watchers than others. In Nevada, for example, a poll watcher may challenge electors and can even ask an election judge at a polling location to discuss the application or interpretation of election laws, as well as requests to view the register.

Poll watchers in Tennessee are even permitted to “inspect all ballots while being called and counted,” as well as have access to tally sheets and poll lists.

What can’t poll watchers do?

Poll watchers are prohibited from challenging any ballots solely on the basis of the race or identity of the voter who cast them. They also may not engage directly with voters or attempt to influence the vote, a process commonly referred to as “electioneering.”

While restrictions on poll watchers vary state by state, poll watchers usually maintain a certain distance from voting equipment and cannot directly question voters. They are often not allowed to handle ballots or instruct poll workers. If they spot a concern, they’re typically required to make a report to the county election supervisor, who then determines if further action is necessary.

In Colorado, Gilpin County Clerk Sahari McCormick recently dismissed a Republican poll watcher from a ballot processing center for allegedly interfering with election procedures, Colorado Politics reported.

The GOP poll watcher reportedly demanded access to examine ballot envelopes and verify voter signatures, which marked a violation of state regulations on poll watchers’ roles. McCormick said the poll watcher insisted on verifying signatures directly, a task that is reserved for election workers in Colorado, and refused to leave after multiple warnings.

What’s the difference between a poll watcher and poll worker?

Put simply, poll watchers observe for accountability, while poll workers conduct the actual operations at polling sites.

• Poll watchers are observers appointed by political parties, candidates, or organizations to monitor the voting process, including ballot casting and counting. Their primary purpose is to observe for transparency, note any irregularities, and report concerns to election supervisors if necessary. They cannot interact directly with voters or interfere in the election process.

• Poll workers are hired or volunteer staff members who manage polling locations. They handle voter check-ins, assist voters with the process, monitor voting equipment, and ensure ballots are properly handled. Poll workers receive training and are authorized to interact with voters, address questions, and perform essential duties to ensure the polls run smoothly.

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Why do some states allow partisan poll workers and observers?

In Michigan and Georgia, recent partisan disputes over poll workers have led to lawsuits centered on the allocation and roles of these workers, affecting how polling locations operate and are supervised.

In Michigan, the RNC filed a lawsuit against Detroit’s Election Commission, claiming an imbalance in the number of Democratic and Republican election inspectors, with the RNC alleging that Detroit employed a significantly higher number of Democrats than Republicans in certain precincts.

Michigan law requires, as closely as possible, equal representation among poll workers from both major parties to maintain fairness. The dispute led to a settlement on Oct. 11 in which Detroit agreed to adjust practices to balance representation between parties more equally for future elections.

Fulton County, Georgia, under scrutiny after election issues in 2020, is being monitored by a team of observers as part of a state-mandated oversight initiative. The team, which includes the Carter Center, former Georgia secretary of state counsel Ryan Germany, and election expert Carter Jones, has reported improvements, describing recent procedures as “organized” and “orderly.”

However, the Georgia State Election Board’s Republican members have been dissatisfied with the chosen monitors, saying Fulton County refused to add the board’s preferred choices, such as Pennsylvania state Rep. Frank Ryan and Heather Honey, a subcontractor for Cyber Ninjas, the auditing firm that handled the 2020 presidential election audit in Maricopa County, Arizona, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

In response, Fulton County filed a lawsuit to prevent these changes, escalating tensions around the monitoring approach and team composition, though litigation has been stalled in the case since Oct. 7.

Why is poll watching important?

Poll watching plays a critical role in ensuring transparency and accountability in elections, its proponents say, especially when the process shifts from in-person voting to centralized ballot counting after polls close.

Incidents in previous elections demonstrate the value of poll watching for public trust. In Detroit, after voters banged on windows at the TCF Center in 2020, the vote-counting site was moved to Huntington Place for the 2022 midterm elections. The city has also added security measures such as metal detectors, a weapons ban, and required credentials for poll challengers.

Michigan’s laws have also been adapted to help election workers process absentee ballots faster and avoid delays that fueled frustrations about the 2020 elections. Now, cities with populations over 5,000 can start processing absentee ballots up to eight days before Election Day, which officials claim will speed up results and reduce wait times for final results.

To safeguard ballot counting further, many counties have invested in improved security infrastructure. For example, Maricopa County in Arizona built 6.5-foot fencing and increased surveillance cameras around its Tabulation and Election Center, adding police officers when ballots and staff are present. These measures were funded in part by federal grants from the Help America Vote Act, which has provided about $1 billion since 2018 to help local election offices enhance security.

Who can serve as a poll watcher?

Eligibility varies, but most states require poll watchers to be registered voters, and some have age restrictions. The United States Election Assistance Commission provides step-by-step guides for working as a poll watcher or agent in each state.

Several states also have specific prohibitions for candidates or candidates’ family members from serving as poll watchers, while others may require specific training.