agenda ▪ overview of election and election staff ▪ opening of polls 5 minute break ▪ common...
TRANSCRIPT
Agenda▪ Overview of election and election staff▪ Opening of polls
5 minute break▪ Common tasks and issues that may arise▪ Closing of the polls
Objectives Learn about duties/responsibilities of poll workers Learn how to efficiently run your precinct Learn how to operate the voting machines in your
precinct Learn how to design a friendly, welcoming polling
place
Must be a U.S. Citizen (unless you are an interpreter)
Must be a registered voter in MA Does everyone here meet these
requirements?
Make sure you have signed-in
No partisan apparel, buttons, signs, etc.
No discussion regarding the current election
No assisting voters with actual voting
The 150 ft rule for electioneering should be strictly enforced150 ft
“I solemnly swear that I will support the
Constitution of the United States and the
Constitution of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts and that I will faithfully and
impartially discharge the duties imposed upon
me by my appointment as an Election Officer
of the City of Boston, according to the Laws of
this Commonwealth, so help me God.”
Managing the election staff and polling place Assigning election duties to the election
staff Assuring the rules and rights governing
voters and observers are followed Supervising the completion of all tasks
Wardens should have a “game plan” for the day and be prepared to manage the team Ensure team members have specific tasks Ensure team members get reasonable breaks
Record all activities and observers in Clerk’s Book. This is a “written record” of the events of the day.
Manages all forms and duties listed in the Clerk’s book
Tally the votes after the polls closeSupervises or performs tasks
assigned by the Warden
Help setup the polling precinctHelp at Check-In or Check-Out tablesHelp with requests of the WardenAssist with closing the polling
precinct
INTERPRETERS
If it appears there could be a language barrier the election officer should seek the assistance of the interpreter
There are some tasks that interpreters cannot do and may require the assistance of an election officer
POLICE OFFICERS
Brings the secure Gray Ballot Box to the polling place
Staffs the Check-Out table
Is under jurisdiction of the Warden
When required, maintaining order in and around the polling place
Returns supplies to City Hall
Your polling location should be arranged to make certain this process runs
smoothly
Post all signageSet up polling location in accordance
with the checklistGet the Optical Scanner ready for
the dayCount all the BallotsAnnounce the poll open at 7:00!
Inserting the BallotUsing AudioChanging ContrastZoomWrite-in candidates
Any Voter who wishes to use the Auto-Mark should be allowed
Please take a few minutes to stretch, talk to your neighbors, or ask questions
Most voters will come in, vote, and leave
Some voters will need extra assistance
The following section outlines what kinds of things might come up on election day…
Why would a voters’ name NOT be on the list? Voter at wrong location Clerical error Voter did not register in time
What to do Check for Errors: is the name spelled incorrectly? If it is a clerical Error - Affirmation of Current and
Continuous Residence and a Voter Registration form If a voter is not on the list but insists on voting
call the Election Department It is possible you will need to issue a Provisional
Ballot
Why do some people have “ID” next to their names? First time voters in MA who registered by mail and
did not submit an acceptable form of ID at that time
You will need to ask the voter for an ID. It does not need to be a photo ID! What are acceptable forms of ID?
▪ Driver’s license▪ current utility bill▪ bank statement▪ payroll▪ government check▪ Other government document showing name and address
If no ID is presented the voter must fill out a Provisional Ballot
“I” means “Inactive”
Why would someone be listed as Inactive? Did not respond to annual listing of residents Moved within City but did not submit change of address
to Election Department Moved out of the city, but did not register to vote in new
city or town
You ask the voter for proper identification
If proper ID is shown the voter may vote regularly after filling out Affirmation and Voter Registration
If the voter does not present ID – The ballot must be Challenged
AV indicates the voter may have already voted absentee
Call the Election DepartmentFollow the instructions given
!
Call the Election DepartmentFollow the instructions given
!
What is a provisional ballot? Ballots used by voters whose identities cannot be
vouched for or in situations where there may be a question about the a voter’s eligibility
Why would a Provisional Ballot need to be issued? A person who is not on the Voter List may
demand to cast a ballot A person who did not register before the
registration deadline may demand to cast a ballot A voter with an “ID” next to his/her name does
NOT provide acceptable identification, he/she must cast a Provisional Ballot
VOTER
Fills out:
Voter Registration formProvisional Ballot
Affirmation“Provisional Ballot” in
envelope
Envelope B
Envelope A
ELECTION OFFICER
Fills out:
Provisional Ballot RosterProvisional Ballot
AffirmationAssigns a ballot number
What is a “Challenge Ballot”? Any person may challenge a voter as long as
they have a specific reason. That reason must be recorded on the ballot itself.
Record in Clerk’s Book Voter fills out Affirmation Fill out the BACK of ballot
▪ The word “CHALLENGE▪ Challenger’s name and address▪ Election officer’s name and position▪ Reason for the challenge
Vote writes their name and address on back
Administer the Challenged Voter’s Oath: “You do solemnly swear (or affirm) that
you are the identical person whom you represent yourself to be, that you are registered in this Precinct, and that you have not voted in this election.”
Allow the voter to vote regularly
Process absentee ballots the same as if the voter were there.
Since the voter is not present an election officer should take the place of the voter Say name and address at the Check-In
and Check-out tables Insert ballots into Optical Scanner
When in doubt, ask! Talk to your Warden. Call. The Election Department is on-hand to help.
When things happen, write it down in the Clerk’s book.
If you are assisting a voter, handling ballots, etc., ALWAYS have a witness.
Announce the polls closed at 8:00 pm Allow the voters in line before the
closing announcement is made to vote The training manual contains a
detailed step-by-step list for closing down the polling site TIP: Ask another election officer to read
the following instructions to you as you perform each one.
Fill out “Affirmation” formsCase studiesAnyone with questions, please ask!