franklin county supervisor of elections deputy guide 2010 election cycle
TRANSCRIPT
FRANKLIN COUNTYSUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS
DEPUTY GUIDE2010 ELECTION CYCLE
YOUR JOB AS A POLLING PLACE DEPUTY
First and foremost you represent the Supervisor of Elections and the Franklin County Sheriffs Office (who approves your appointment to this position.) You are the first person that the voter has contact with and we expect you to represent us in a professional, courteous manner.
• You DO NOT have arrest powers• You DO NOT carry a weapon
MAKE A GOOD IMPRESSION!
YOU ARE A PUBLIC
SERVANT…. BE
PREPARED TO SERVE
DRESS PROPERLY
(COMFORTABLE
CLOTHING, NO
POLITICAL ITEMS
GREET THE VOTER
PLEASANTLY
OPEN THE DOOR FOR
ALL VOTERS
BE A GOOD HOST
IF YOU VOLUNTEER WITH THE SHERIFFS OFFICE NO UNIFORMS
STARTING YOUR DAY:
•Everyone MUST be at their assigned precinct by 6:00 am. NO EXCEPTIONS !
•WHAT TO BRING: * Food and drink for the day * Sweater or Jacket (depending on weather
conditions * Rain Gear * Any medications you may need for the day * Insect repellent as needed.
WHO IS ALLOWED IN THE POLLING PLACE:• Allow only the following people into the polling place.
Persons there to Vote
• Persons in care of a voter
• Persons caring for a voter
Election Board
Members• Supervisor
of Elections and/or Staff
• Authorized Poll Watchers
Law Enforcement
• Or Emergency Service Personnel summoned by the clerk or a majority of the inspectors.
NEWS MEDIA: No photography is allowed in the polling room or early voting area. Members of the media ARE NOT allowed in the polling room except to vote.
CANDIDATE AT POLLING PLACE:Candidates or campaign workers are not allowed to enter the polling room unlessthey are entering to vote.
VEHICLES:Vehicles with campaignSigns should not be permitted within the 100 ft. radius of the polling place. Voters can be dropped off to vote as long as the vehicle moves after dropping off the voter.
POLL DEPUTY DUTIES
• Assist in setting up and breaking down the precinct•Place Voter Information signs on the board designated for such.•Mark off 100’ radius around the entrance to the polling place.•Place all signs outside or in designated area.•Always remember the CLERK is in CHARGE of the precinct and you must follow his/her instructions. NO EXCEPTION•Know where the phone is located fore emergencies.•Know where the Fire Extinguisher is located.•Make sure that all entrances and exits areas are clear.
The words “solicit” or “solicitation” include such things as:
1. Asking someone for his or her vote.
- 2. Asking for someone’s opinion.
- 3. Distributing any political or campaign material or handout.
- 4. Conducting a poll.- 5. Asking someone for
his or her signature on a petition.
- 6. Selling any type of item.
- 7. Asking for voters names.
- 8. Placing of candidate signs.
Solicitation Restrictions:
No person or group may solicitVoters inside the polling place.No person or group may solicitVoters within 100 ft. of theEntrance to the polling place.
Before the opening of the polling placeThe Clerk and the Deputy (if the Supervisor has not already done so) shall designate the NO-SOLICITATIONZone and mark the boundaries.
The only exception to the No-Solicitation law applies to the media or others who are allowed to conduct “exit-polling” activities. The may approach voters only AFTER voters leave the polling place.
The Supervisor of Elections or the Clerk is authorized to take any reasonable action to ensure order is maintained at the polling place. That means, if necessary, having Law Enforcement Officers remove disruptive persons from either the polling room or from the No-Solicitation zone.
THE POLLS ARE NOW OPEN
The Polls are now open:
The Clerk will tell you when it is 7:00 am
Announce “The Polls Are Now
Open”
Your Place is at the door
Smile and be pleasant
Remind voters to have
Photo/Signature ID ready
DO NOT send them to get ID
Manage the Solicitation Area
Ask politely for Solicitors to
leave the premises.
Do not allow any campaigning
within the 100 ft area.
Approach the Solicitor calmly
Nicely ask them to step back
Smile and thank them for
complying
When the need arises:
If there is a problem:
1. Do not attempt to
argue
2. Do not raise your
voice
3. Never touch the
voter
4. Notify your Clerk (if needed)
5. Call 911 if necessary
ISSUE THE “I VOTED” STICKER BYHANDING IT TO THE VOTER WHENHE OR SHE IS LEAVING THE POLLINGPLACE. PLEASE DO NOT PLACE THESTICKER ON THE VOTER.
NO WEAPONS ALLOWED
FLORIDA STATUES 790.06(12) STATES THAT NOONE MAY CARRY A WEAPON INTO A POLLING ROOM, THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE LAWENFORCEMENT OFFICERS.
• Weapon must be obvious• Quietly ask voter to leave weapon in their vehicle.
DO NOT argue with the voter
ALWAYS USE COMMON SENSE!
If there is an emergency
If there is a
conflict
If you must leave
your post
NOTIFY THE CLERK:
Disabled Voter
Sensitivity toward people with special needs makes good sense whether in a business or a public life.
When you practice disability etiquette everyone wins.
Offer assistance Be sure to hold the door Make sure ramps are not obstructed and can be used without difficulty Assist the wheelchair user at the ramp, if neededIf your precinct requires special threshold, be sure it is snugly in place at the entranceIf your precinct requires cones to designate disabled parking, be sure you have followed the diagram provided and have the area marked correctly
Do Not:
Leave your post without notifying the ClerkTalk politics with voterAsk to see Voter’s IDTurn any voter away
KNOW YOUR VOTING AREA:
• Know about any separate entry ways for the disabled if any•Watch the parking area•Assist voters to inside area (Always ask first)DURING SLOW PERIODS:
• You may sit and read a book (make sure to put away when voters approach)•May go inside to ask M-100 operator for the number amount of people voted• Take advantage of this time to have lunch or go to the restroom.• Always notify the Clerk when you need to leave your post for any reason.
Be sure to: Allow the Clerk to perform his or her
duties without interference.Assure that the M100 Operator and Asst. are left alone when they are performing their duties.Do your job only and do not interfere with others without being asked.
Polls Closing: At 7:00 pm, The Clerk will inform you that the polls are now closed.You will announce “ The Polls Are Now Closed”You will stand behind the last person in line to vote.
Remember You Are the End of the Line !
Anyone who arrives after your announcement MAY NOT VOTE! NO EXCEPTIONS!
In the rare event that the polling hours are extended by a court order, the Deputy should still stand in line behind the last person in line at 7:00 pm, any personvoting after the last person in line at 7:00 pm must votea Provisional Ballot.
When the last voter has voted:Pick up all outside signs
Help break down the precinct
Make sure poll room is clean
Remove signs from signboard and return to sign bag
Use the flashlight to assist others to their vehicles
If you cannot work:
Please call the Elections Office as soon as possible so an alternate can be assigned in your place.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE – You are invaluable to us.
If you have any questions please contact our office @ 850-653-
9520.
Ida C. Elliott, Supervisor47 Ave F
Apalachicola, Fl 32320