Poll watcher question..

[BobRossi]

What recourse do I have if I am approached by a poll monitor? Can I just tell them to back off? What do I have to show them? Do they have to maintain a minimum distance from me? Can I bloody their nose if they don't leave me alone?

[gfnrob]

1. Unless are a republofuck...

and can prove it, you must comply with all orders given you.:sarcasm:

[LA lady]

2. Depends on the state

In Louisiana you must be certified and produce your certificate.
I am an election commissioner and this is in the rules and has been for years. We have NEVER had a poll watcher show up from either party and 11 precincts vote at our polling station!

[BobRossi]

3. Thanks..

What exactly do I have to tell/show them?

[Justitia]

4. It may depend on your state, but I don't think poll monitors can approach you - they can only ask

the election judges to approach you.

What state are you in?

[BobRossi]

6. Michigan. nt

[Justitia]

8. Some MI specific links for you....

It appears from the Michigan Sec of State website: http://216.239.51.104/search?q=cache:e5Xj2SRwQ1oJ:www.michigan.gov/documents/SOS_ED_2_CHALLENGERS_77017_7.pdf+michigan+poll+watcher&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=3

that MI allows for both "election challengers" & "poll watchers" - you should read this and understand exactly what they are and are not allowed to do. From my quick reading it seems neither is allowed to approach you directly, but must talk to the "election inspector", which I think is the MI equivalent of the official state elections person.


You should also read this file by the Election Protection folks for MI voters. It gives your state specific rights and gives you a number to call & tells you what to do if you encounter any problems:
http://media.pfaw.org/BOR/MI_BOR_06.pdf

Good luck and happy voting!

[Demit]

5. Poll watchers are supposed to have gotten a pollwatcher's certificate.

Which would have given you access to inside the polling place. If you mean that you are just going to casually be at the polls but not in an official capacity, there are rules about how far away from the polling place you must be (in PA, it's 10 feet). If you make sure to always stay at least 10 feet from the polling place, no one can say a thing to you.

[colorado thinker]

7. Poll watchers are there

to monitor the voting, not the voters. In Colorado, they have to be credentialed by the State, and are there to make sure eligible voters are able to vote. That being said, they can help you if you have a question, within reason, they can ask the election judges questions about the voting as it is going on, but they are NOT to interfere, approach, distract or otherwise impede the process.