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!