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State of New JerseyDistrict Board Member

The Honorable Tahesha Way, Secretary of State

TRAINING MANUAL

NJ Division of Elections - 10/10/18

I INTRODUCTION 1

II PREPARING FOR THE ELECTION 2 District Board Members 2 Training Requirements 2 Salary 2 General and Primary Elections 3 School Elections 3 Board Worker Etiquette 3 Certificateof Appointment 4 PollingPlaceSet-Up 4 BoardWorkerArrivalTime 4 SelectingAJudgeandInspector 5 MaterialsandSuppliesChecklist 5 IdentifytheOfficialClock 7 Placement of Voting Machines 8 Placement of Board Member and Challenger Tables 8 Preparationof aPrivacyAreaforVotersbyPaperBallot 8 Measure the “No Electioneering” Zone 8 ConductingAVoterAccessibilityWalk-through 9 Displayof VotingMachineInstructions 9 Opening/ClosingtheVotingMachine 9 OpeningthePolls 9 Breaks During Election Day 10

III MAINTAINING ORDER AT THE POLLS 10 PersonsAllowedinthePollingPlace 10 Posting Number of Voters Voted 10 Electioneering 11 Exit Polling 12 MediaReportersandPhotographers 12 Cell Phones 13 LaptopComputers 13 MiscellaneousSituationsThatMayArise 13 Fund-Rasing 13 Emergency 13 LowPaperBallotSupply 14 IncidentLog 14

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Table of Contents

Table of Contents

IV PROCESSING THE VOTER 14 RoutineProcedures 14 GeneralRuleforBalloting 14 TimeAllowedtoVote 14 VotingAuthoritySlips 15 WhenaVoterAppearstoVote 15 VotingintheVotingMachine 17 SpecialSituations 17 If theVoter’sNameisNotinthePollBook 17 If theVoterSignsonAnotherVoter’sLine 17 If theVoter’sNameisMarkedasHavingVoted 17 VotersWhoHaveChangedTheirNames 18 Voters Who Exit the Voting Booth Before Casting Their Vote 18 PrimaryElection:VotersQualifiedtoVote 18 VoterAffiliatedwithaPoliticalPartyBeforeElectionDay 18 UnaffiliatedVoters 19 Voting in Machine at a Primary Election 20 “Tagged” Voters 20 Mail-InBallotVoter 20 Signature Required 21 IDRequired 21 AffirmAddress 22 VotersWhoHaveChangedTheirResidence 22 TheVoterhasMovedwithintheElectionDistrict 22 TheVoterhasMovedOutsidetheElectionDistrictbutResides withintheCounty 22 TheVoterhasMovedOutsidetheCountyAftertheCloseof Registration 22 TheVoterhasMovedOutsidetheCountyinTimetoRegister intheNewCounty 23 VoterswithDisabilities 23 The Right to Vote 23 ProvidingAccommodationsorAssistancewithVoting 24 InteractingwithVoterswithDisabilities 24 SpecialRulesforProcessingVotersWhoNeedAssistance 25 Challenges in the Polling Place 26 Challenge Process 28 UpholdingtheChallenge 29 ChallengerDo’sandDon’ts 29

II

Table of Contents

PaperBallotsinPollingPlaces 29 VotingbyProvisionalBallot 29 Voters Who Must Vote by Provisional Ballot 30 Voting by Emergency Ballot 31 OpeningEmergencyBallotBox 32 Contents of Emergency Ballot Box 33 Voting by Emergency Ballot 33 ResumeVotingontheVotingMachine 34

V CLOSING THE POLLS 34 AnnouncingtheCloseof Polls 34 ClosingTime 34 VotersWhoAreOnLinetoVoteatClosingTime 35 Post-votingProceduresinthePollingPlace 35 ClosingtheVotingMachines 35 PrintingReports 35 ProvisionalBallots 35 Canvassing and Tallying the Emergency Ballots 36 Counting Rules 36 Procedure 36 PublishtheResultsof theElection 37 Collectingof allElectionMaterialsandSupplies 37 Returnof Materials 37 Pay Voucher - Last But Not Least 38

Table of Contents

III

I. Introduction

I. Introduction

Votingisoneof themostimportantrightswehaveasAmericans.Itisthroughelec-tionsthatourelectedleadersarechosen.Theseelectedofficialsmakedecisionsthataffectoureverydaylives.Therighttovoteisonlymeaningful,however,if allqualifiedvotershavethefullopportunitytoparticipateinfairandlawfulelections.Ourvotersaredependent,therefore,uponthosepersonschargedwithelectionresponsibilities.Thereisnoquestionthatdistrictboardmembersareonthefront-lineinpromotingdemocracyonelectionday.

ThepurposeofthismanualistoassistalldistrictboardmembersintheStateofNewJerseywiththeknowledgeandinformationtheymusthaveinordertodotheirjobprop-erlyandconfidently.Whilemanyvotersvotebymail-inballot,formostcitizens,theironlycontactinexercisingtherighttofranchiseiswiththeirdistrictboardmembers.

Accordingly,correctandconsistentStatewideapplicationandimplementationof elec-tionlawsatthepollingplacearefundamentaltoprotectingourfreedom.Thankyouforbecomingaboardworker!Weappreciatethatthehoursarelongandtheworkcanbechallenging,buttheservicesyouprovideonanelectiondayareinvaluable.

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II. Preparing for the ElectionDistrict Board Members

Eachdistrictboardof electionistobecomprisedof twoRepublicanandtwo

DemocraticdistrictboardmembersappointedbytheCountyBoardof Election.In

certainelectiondistricts,additionaldistrictboardmembers,whoarebilingualinEnglish

andSpanish,areassignedtothedistrictboard.

Training Requirements

Within30daysbeforeanelection,allnewmembersof adistrictboardmust

attendtrainingadministeredbytheCountyBoardof Election.Alldistrictboard

membersmustattendtrainingsessionsforeachelectionatleastonceeverytwoyears.

However,whennewlawsareintroduced,mandatorytrainingmayberequiredof district

boardmembersatthediscretionof theCountyBoardof Election.

Salary

General and Primary Elections

Foranygeneralelection,primaryelection,orspecialelection,thecompensationis

$200.00foreachdistrictboardmember.Inaddition,thedistrictboardmemberwhois

responsibleforobtainingandsigningforthepollbooksshallreceiveanadditional$12.50

perelection.If thatresponsibilityissharedbetweentwoboardmembers,eachmember

shallreceive$6.25perelection.Thedistrictboardmemberwhoisresponsiblefor

returningthepollbooksattheclosingof thepollsreceivesanadditional$12.50per

election.If thatresponsibilityissharedbetweentwoboardmembers,eachmembershall

receive$6.25perelection.Any district board member working a general, primary

or special election who fails to attend a required training session in the year in

which such training is required, shall be compensated only $50.00 for that

election.

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II. Preparing for the Election

School Elections

Foranyschoolelection,districtboardmembersarepaidonanhourlybasis,inan

amounttobedeterminedbythelocalschoolboard.Foraschoolelection,thedistrict

boardmemberwhoisresponsibleforobtainingandsigningforthepollbooksshall

receiveanadditional$12.50perelection.If thatresponsibilityissharedbetweentwo

boardmembers,eachmembershallreceive$6.25perelection.Thedistrictboard

memberwhoisresponsibleforreturningthepollbooksattheclosingof thepollsshall

receiveanadditional$12.50perelection.If thatresponsibilityissharedbetweentwo

boardmembers,eachmembershallreceive$6.25perelection.Any district board

member working a school election who fails to attend a required training session

in the year in which such training is required, shall be compensated at an hourly

rate of $3.85 for that election.

Foranygeneral,primary,specialorschoolelection,districtboardmemberswill

receivepaymentfortheirserviceswithin30daysaftereachelection.

Board Worker Etiquette

Everyvotershouldleavethepollingplacefeelingpositiveabouthisorherexperience

in,andcontributionto,thedemocraticprocess.Thisisalsoanimportantlessonforany

children,(our“futurevoters”),whoaccompanytheirparentstothepolls. The success

of thiseffortdependslargelyupontheattitudeandconductof theboardmembers.

Districtboardmembersareexpectedtoconductthemselvesinaprofessionaland

courteousmannertoeachandeveryvoterthroughoutthecourseof theelection.To

facilitatethevoting,itisalsoimportantthatallvoters’questionsbefullyanswered.

BoardmembersshouldbeparticularlysensitivetovoterswhomaynotspeakEnglish

orhavelimitedEnglishskillsorwhohavedisabilities.

Districtboardmembersmustalsoextendthesesamecourtesiestotheirfellowboard

members.Anydisagreementsshouldberesolvedinacalmmanner.Ifboardmembers

cannotresolveanissueamongthemselves,theyshouldcalltheCountyBoardoffice.Under

no circumstances should any disagreement escalateintoaloudandheatedargument.


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Whileweallknowelectiondayislong,maintainingone’spatiencewillgoalongway

towardensuringasmoothelection.Asenseofhumoralsohelps.Remember: Be

polite,patientandhelpfultothevotersandyourfellowboardmembers.

Certificate of Appointment

DistrictboardmembersmusthavetheirCertificatesofAppointmentwiththematall

timeswhileperformingtheirduties.EmergencyCertificatesofAppointmentmaybeused

if asubstitutedistrictboardmemberisappointedtofillavacancy.If avacancyoccurs,

districtboardmembersmustimmediatelycontacttheCountyBoardof Election,which

willprovideinstructionsonhowtoproceed.

EachdistrictboardmembermusttakeandsigntheOathofOfficebeforeundertaking

anyelectionduties.TheCertificatemustbecompletedandreturnedwiththeelectionsup-

pliesattheconclusionof theelection.

Polling Place Set-Up

Board Worker Arrival Time

Districtboardmembersmustarriveattheirassignedpollingplaceno later than 45

minutes before the polls officially open.Exceptforthoseschoolelectionsthathave

alaterstarttime,districtboardmembersmustarriveby5:15a.m.tohavethevotingma-

chine ready for voting promptly at 6:00 a.m.TheCountyBoardof Electionwilladvise

thedistrictboardmembersof thehoursforschoolelections,whicharesetbythelocal

schoolboard.Districtboardmembersmustarriveattheirassignedpollingplacenolater

than45minutesbeforethepollsofficiallyopenforschoolelections.

Adistrictboardmemberwhoisunabletoreporttohisorherassignmentmustnotify

theCountyBoardof Electionassoonaspossible,sothatasubstitutecanbefound.The

districtboardmustimmediatelynotifytheCountyBoardofElectionifanyboardmember,

includinganybilingualdistrictboardmember,failstoreportforduty.However, the

district board may not delay the opening of the polls because of the absence

of any member. 4

Selecting A Judge and Inspector

Thedistrictboardmembersmustelectajudge,whoshallberesponsibleforthe

completionofallpaperwork,andaninspector.Thejudgeandinspectormustbefrom

differentpoliticalparties.Ifthedistrictboardfailstoelecteitherofficeronthreeballots,

theseniormemberinlengthof serviceonthedistrictboardbecomesthejudgeandthe

nextmostseniormemberof theoppositepoliticalpartybecomestheinspector.The

remainingmembersaredesignatedasclerks.Whilethejudgemayberesponsiblefor

ensuringthecompletionof allpaperwork,alldistrictboardmembershaveequal

authoritywhileperformingtheirdutiesonelectionday.Further,alldistrictboard

membersmustremainattheirassignedpollingplaceuntilallelectionrelated

responsibilitiesarecompleted.

Materials and Supplies Checklist

ElectiondaymaterialsareprimarilyassembledintheofficesoftheCountyBoardof

Election,andarepackedintobagsorothercontainersfordelivery.Countiesusevarious

waystoprovidethematerialstothedistrictboards.Thedistrictboardmembersshould

checkthelistsof materialsandsuppliestoensurethatthedistrictboardhasbeenpro-

videdwiththefollowingmaterialsthatitwillneed.Thesematerialsinclude:

� PollBooks:typicallythepollbookfortheelectiondistrictisbrokendownintoat

leasttwovolumesalphabetically;

� VotingAuthorityBooks;

� VotingMachineKeys;

� ProvisionalBallotBagwithprovisionalballotsandenvelopes;

� ThreeSampleBallots:Thesemustbepostedsothatvoterswillbeabletoreadboth

thefrontandbackofthesampleballot.Theinformationonthesampleballotsstates:

z electionandthelistofthecandidatesandanypublicquestions;

z thedateandtimeof theelection;

z votinginstructions;

� VoterBillofRightsposter.


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� Signs:

z Handicapped-Accessibilitysign,whichistobepostedatthe

handicappedaccessibleentrancetothepollingplace;

z Signsdirectingvoterstothelocation(s)of votingmachines;

z “VoteHere”signswhichshouldbepostedattheoutsideentrancetothe

pollingplace;

z “NoLoiteringorElectioneering”signwhichistobepostedatthe

pollingplaceentrance;

z Signindicatingvotingdistrict(s)number(s)whichistobepostedatthe

entranceandontheappropriatetableforanelectiondistrictif thereare

multipleelectiondistrictsinthepollingplace;

z “NoSmoking”signwhichistobepostedatthepollingplaceentrance;

z “A-K”and“L-Z”signswhicharetobeplacedonthetableinfrontofthe

pollbooks.

z Numberof “VotersVoted”signs.

� Streetnameandelectiondistrictlistofthemunicipalitywhichshouldbeplacedby

thepollbooks;

� PollingPlaceList:aprint-outof allthepollingplacesinthecountylistedby

municipalityandelectiondistrict;

� ChallengerAffidavitForms;

� DisabilityCertificates;

� VoterComplaintForms;

� IncidentLogtorecordanyproblemsthatoccuronelectionday;

� ADAChecklist;

� Numberof VotersthatVotedSheets;

� Affirmationof ResidencyForms;

� InformationforProvisionalBallotVoter;

� Badges for board members

z mustbewornatalltimes;

� BoardWorkerManual;

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� InformationforChallengedVoters

� VotingMachineInstructionPosterandEasel;

� EmergencyBallotProcedures;

� PayrollSheetforDistrictBoard;

� TelephoneNumbersfortheCountyBoardof Election,CountySuperintendent

of Elections(if thereisoneinthecounty),CountyClerk,sheriff ’sdepartment,

localmunicipalclerkandlocalpolicedepartment;

� Tapeforaffixingsigns;

� SupplementalMail-InBallotVoterList:

z If avoterappliesforamail-inballotafterthepollbooksareprinted,that

voter’snamewillappearonasupplementallistwhichwillbedelivered

tothepollingplacebythemunicipalclerkonelectiondaymorning. This

supplementallistshouldbekeptnearthepollbooksandusedbythe

boardmemberstoupdatethepollbooksonelectiondaymorning.

NOTE:ItismostimportantthatthedistrictboardprominentlypostALLsignsincluded

initssupplies,bothEnglishandSpanish,inthepollingplace.Thesesignsshouldbeim-

mediatelyvisibletoandeasilyreadbythevoterwhenheorsheentersthepollingplace.

Inaddition,theAmericanflagmustbedisplayedattheentrancetothepolling

placeduringthehoursof theelection.Immediatelycontactthemunicipalclerkif there

isnoflagatthepollingplace.

Identify the Official Clock

Thedistrictboardmembersmustselectanofficialclockandcoordinateallwatches

withthatclocksothatthereisnoconfusionaboutthetimesthatthepollsareopenedor

closed.Useawallclockintheroomastheofficialclock,ifoneisavailable,becauseitis

likelythatvotersandchallengerswillusethisasareference.Itisimportantthatthe

districtboardmemberscoordinatethetimeonthevotingmachinezero-printoutreport

withtheofficialclock.Intheeventthatthetimesonthezero-printoutandtheofficial

clockarenotidentical,thejudgemustdeterminetheofficialtime.


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Placement of Voting Machines

Thevotingmachine(s)shouldbeplacedatleastthreefeetfromawallorpartition,

andatleastfourfeetfromanytablewherethedistrictboardmembersareseated.The

machine(s)shouldbesituatedsothattheballotsonthefaceof themachine(s)canbe

plainlyseenbythedistrictboardmembersandchallengersatalltimeswhennotinuse

byavoter. Districtboardmembersassignedtoworkthevotingmachinesmustcheckthe

faceof thevotingmachineaftereachvoterfinishesvotingandleavesthemachine.

Placement of Board Member and Challenger Tables

Districtboardmembers’tablesmustbesituatedtoensureafullviewof thepolling

placeandthevotingmachines.Challengers cannot sit with the district board at the

poll book tables.Thechallenger’stableshouldbelocatedcloseenoughtothedistrict

boardmembers’tablesothatthechallengercanhearthevoter’snamewhenthedistrict

boardmemberreadsitaloud.

NOTE: NOINDIVIDUAL,INCLUDINGADISTRICTBOARDMEMBER,IS

PERMITTEDTOBEINAPOSITIONFROMWHICHHEORSHEMAY

OBSERVEHOWAVOTERHASVOTED.

Preparation of a Privacy Area for Voters Who Vote by Paper Ballot

Setasideanareawherevoterswhoarevotingbyemergencyorprovisionalballotmay

vote privately. Preparethedesignatedareawithatableorclipboard,pencils,anda

privacyscreen.

Measure the “No Electioneering” Zone

Boardmembersshouldmeasure100feetfromtheoutsideentranceof thepolling

place.Thismarksaprotectedareawithinwhichnoelectioneering,fundraisingactivities

orothersocialeventsarepermitted.

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Conducting a Voter Accessibility Walk-through

Theboardmembersshouldperformawalk-throughofthepollingplaceforbarriersto

accessibilitybyutilizingtheADAchecklist.Thisprocedureshouldbeginatthe

parkinglotandincludeaccesstoentrances,parkingandpathwaysigns,internaland

externaldoorwaysandpossibleobstructionswhichmighthinderdisabledorelderly

voters.Thedistrictboardshouldselectan“accessibilitypoint-person”fromamong

themselves.Theappointeddistrictboardmemberisresponsibleforensuringthatthe

pollingplaceremainsaccessibletodisabledorelderlyvotersthroughoutelectionday.

Board members should conduct a walk-through periodically at least 2 more times

during election day.Anybarriersorobstacleswhichmightimpedeadisabledorelderly

votermustberemovedoradjusted.

NOTE: Accessibilitysignsmustbepostedatthehandicappedaccessibleentrancetothe

pollingplace.Signsdirectingvoterstothelocation(s)of votingmachinesmustbeposted

ininteriorpassageways.Ifthedistrictboarddeterminesthatadditionalaccessibilitysignsare

needed,thejudgeshouldtelephonetheCountyBoardofElectionimmediately.

Display of Voting Machine Instructions

Instructionsforusingthevotingmachine,includinginstructionsforcastingawrite-in

vote,mustbeplacedwheretheyareimmediatelyvisibletoandcanbeeasilyreadbyavoter

before the voter enters the voting machine.Separateinstructionsforuseof theaudio

kitforthevisually-impairedvotersmustalsobereadilyavailable.

Opening/Closing the Voting Machine

Theproceduresforopeningandclosingthevotingmachinesandtheaudioset-up

proceduresareprovidedbytheCountyBoardof Electionunderseparatecover.

Opening the Polls

Asdeterminedbytheofficialclock,atprecisely6:00a.m.(oratthetimesetbya


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schooldistrictforaschoolelection),thejudgeof thedistrictboardshould publicly

announce thatthepollsareofficiallyopen.

Breaks During Election Day

AmajorityofthreeofthedistrictboardmembersmustbepresentAT ALL TIMES

whenthepollsareopen.Therefore,onlyoneboardmember ispermittedtobeabsent

fromthepollingroomatatime.Aboardmemberispermittedtobeabsentforaone

hourlunchbreakbetweenthehoursof 1:00p.m.and5:00p.m.Noboardmember,

however,shouldbeabsentfromthepollingplaceafter5:00p.m.

III. Maintaining Order at the PollsPersons Allowed In the Polling Place

Thedistrictboardmustbeawareatalltimesof whoisinthepollingplace.State

electionlawprovidesthatonlycertainpeopleareauthorizedtobeinthepollingplace.

Theyareasfollows:

� District Board Members

� Votersandtheirdependentchildren

� Credentialed Challengers

� Candidates

� Electionofficials

� Policeofficers,if assigned

� Federal or state observers

NOTE: Boardmembersshouldnotpermitunauthorizedpersonstoremaininthe

pollingplaceandshouldaskthemtoleave.

Posting Number of Voters that Voted

Eachpollinglocationmustpubliclydisplayanoticecontainingthenumberof

voterswhovotedineachelectiondistrict,indicatingthenumberof voterswhovoted 10


usingavotingmachineandthenumberof voterswhohavevotedusingaprovisional

ballot.Thefirstnoticetobepostedat8a.m.onthedayof anelectionandthereafter

updatedeverytwohoursuntilthepollsclose.Therefore,noticesof thetotalnumberof

votersaretobepostedat8a.m.,10a.m.,noon,2p.m.,4p.m.and6p.m.

Thedistrictboardworkersshouldobtainthenumberof votersvotingbyvoting

machineeverytwohoursbyreadingthenumberof votescastpermachinefromthe

publiccounteroneachvotingmachine.Thatnumberistobepostedonthepublic

notice,notingthecountforeachmachine.

Inordertoreportthenumberof provisionalballotscast,thedistrictboardshould

maintainaseparatetallysheetformarkingdownthenumberof provisionalballotscast

duringthecourseof theday.Everytimeavotersubmitsaprovisionalballottothe

districtboard,thedistrictboardshouldfirstmarktheprovisionalballottallysheetto

indicatethevotedprovisionalballothasbeenreceived.Thenthevotedprovisional

ballotistobeplacedintheprovisionalballotbag.UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES

shallanyonetakeavotedprovisionalballotoutof theprovisionalballotbagoncethat

ballotisplacedinthebag,untilafterthecloseof thepolls.

Electioneering

Electioneeringisnotpermittedwithin100feetof theentranceof thepollingplace.

Electioneeringisdefinedasthedistributionordisplayof anycircularorprintedmatter

orofferingof anysuggestionorthesolicitationof supportforanycandidate,partyor

publicquestion.Thisincludes,butisnotlimitedto,wearingof partisantee-shirts,but-

tons,hatsand/orthedisplayordistributionof partisancampaignmaterialincluding

pamphlets,newsletters,brochures,bumperstickers,signsorplacards.Thedistrict

membersshouldaskthattheelectioneeringstopandcontacttheCountyBoardof

Election,if thereareanyproblems.Asalastresort,thedistrictboardcouldrequest

policeassistance.

If partisanpoliticalsignsarelocatedonprivatepropertythatislocatedwithinthe

100foot“noelectioneering”zone,thedistrictboardshouldrequestthepropertyowner

III. Maintaining Order at the Polls

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toremovethesignormoveittoanareaoutsidethe100foot“noelectioneering”zone.

If thepropertyownerortenantrefuses,however,thedistrictboardshouldtakeno

furtheraction.

Inordertoavoidtheappearanceofpartisanship,districtboardmembersshouldnot

acceptfoodorothergiftsofferedbycandidatesorpartiesduringtheconductoftheelection.

Exit Polling

Exitpollingwithinthe100-foot“noelectioneering”zoneispermittedonlyby

EdisonResearchGroupwhichispermittedtodoexitpollingwithinthisareaonbehalf

of ABC,APCBS,CNN,FoxNewsandNBC.Representativesof theseMediaoutlets

musthavecredentialsfromtheCountyBoardof Election.Theexitpollstermay

questionvoterswhoareleavingthepollingplace.Voter participation in exit polling is

strictly voluntary.

Apollstermuststandoutsidethepollingplacebutcanstandanywherewithinthe

100foot“noelectioneering”zone.Thepollstercannotinterferewiththeorderlyconduct

of theelectionorobstructthepathof votersastheyenterorexitfromthepolls.

Approachingvotersbeforetheyenterthepollingplace,however,isprohibited.

Thesevotersshouldnotbesubjecttoanyquestioning,ortheofferingof assistanceor

anymaterialsastheyareenteringthepollingplace.

Media Reporters and Photographers

Photographers,TVcameracrewsandreportersfromthemediaaregenerallynot

permittedinthepollingroom.However,ithasbeenalongstandingtraditionin

NewJerseytopermitthefilmingorphotographingof acandidatevotingatthepolls.

ThemediamustobtainpriorpermissionfromtheCountyBoardof Electiontodothis.

If amemberof themediaentersthepollingplacetotakephotographs,thedistrictboard

must refer the individual to the County Board of Election for its determination of the

matter.Thedistrictboardmustnotallowthephotographer,cameracreworreporterto

interferewiththeconductof theelection,theprivacyof voters,ordistracttheboard 12


membersfromperformingtheirduties.

Cell Phones

Generally,thedistrictboardshouldnotpermittheuseof cellphonesinthe

pollingplace.If avoterorachallengerisusingacellphoneinthepollingplace,the

districtworkershouldrequestthattheindividualdosoinanotherroom.Avotercannot

useacellphoneinthevotingmachine.Aboardmembershoulduseacellphone,

however,tocontacttheCountyBoardof Electionorsuperintendentof electionsfor

officialelectionbusiness.

Laptop Computers

Theuseof alaptopcomputerbyachallengertotrackvotersortorecordpolling

placeobservationsisgenerallyacceptable.If forsomereason,itcausesadisturbance,

thedistrictboardshouldaskthechallengertostopusingit.

Miscellaneous Situations That May Arise

Fund-Raising

Nosocialorfund-raisingactivityof anygroupororganizationshouldbepermitted

within100feetof theentranceof apollingplace,orinthepollingroom,onelection

day.Thisincludes,butisnotlimitedto,bakesales,dinnersorotherfoodsales,book

sales,craftexhibits,artshowsorothersocialorfundraisingactivities.Thedistrictboard

mustaskindividualsresponsibleforsucheventstoleavetheprotectedarea.

Emergency

Ifafiredrilloranemergencyoccurs,everyonemustsafelyevacuatethebuilding.A

boardmembershouldtakecustodyoftheprovisionalballotbagandclosethefrontofthe

votingmachine,if possible.CalltheCountyBoardof Electionaftersafelyevacuating

thebuilding.TheCountyBoardof Electionshouldhaveanemergencyvotingplan,

includingalternatevotingsitesandemergencyprocedures.

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Low Paper Ballot Supply

If thedistrictboardfindsthatitisrunninglowonemergencyorprovisionalballots,

the district board must immediately notify the County Board of Election or the County

Clerk,sotheyitcanarrangeformoreballotstobedeliveredtothepollingplace.

Incident Log

Thedistrictboardshoulduseanincidentlogtorecordvotingirregularities,mistakes,

orunusualeventsorincidentsthatoccuratthepollingplaceduringelectionday.Someex-

amplesare:

� Avoterwhosignsonthesignaturelineof anothervoterinerror;

� Aboardmemberwhomistakenlypermitsavotertovoteacrossparty

linesinaprimaryelection;

� Disturbancesinthepollingplace.Thelogshouldincludethetime,adescription

of theincidentandhowitwashandled,andtheidentityof theperson(s)and

boardmember(s)whowereinvolved.Theincidentlogshouldbereturnedwith

thesuppliesandmaterialsatthecloseof polls.

� Use of emergency ballots

� “Fleeing Voters”

IV. Processing the Voter Routine Procedures General Rule for Balloting

Mostvoterswillvoteinthevotingmachine.Thedistrictboardshallnotpermitany

personwhosenameandsignaturedoesnotappearinthepollbooktovoteonthevoting

machine unlessthevoterpresentsaCourtOrder stating that the voter is to vote in the

machine.

Time Allowed to Vote

Thelawstatesavoterispermittednomorethantwominutestocastavote.However,14


moretimemaybeneededifavoterisusingtheaudiokit,orifthevoterrequiresanother

formofassistance.Thedistrictboardmustbereasonableinthissituation.Oncethe

voteiscast,thevotermustexitfromthevotingmachineboothimmediatelyandleave

thepollingplace.If avoterrefusestoleavethevotingbooth,thedistrictboardmem-

bersareauthorizedtoremovethevoter.Once the voter completes casting his or her

vote upon the machine, he or she cannot go back into the machine for any reason

whatsoever.

Voting Authority Slips

Eachelectiondistrictwillreceivepadsof votingauthorities.Eachvotingauthority

slipisintwopartsandisperforated;oneportionistobesignedbythevoterandre-

mainsinthepadwiththedistrictboard.Theotherhalf of theperforatedticketis

giventothevoterwhomusthandittothedistrictboardworkerwhoisoperatingthe

votingmachine.Avotermustpresentavotingauthoritysliptothedistrictboard

memberwhoisoperatingthemachinebeforethevotermayenterthevotingbooth.

Thedistrictboardmemberwilltakethevotingauthorityandplaceit,intheorderin

whichitwasreceived,onthestringorwireprovidedforthatpurpose.

When a Voter Appears to Vote:

� The voter shall state his or her full name and address to the district board

memberinchargeof thepollbooks.Theboardmembermustannouncethe

nameandaddressof thevoterloudlyenoughsothechallengerscanhearit.

� Thedistrictboardmembershalllocatethevoter’snameandaddressinthepoll

book.If theelectionisaPRIMARY,thedistrictboardmembermustalso

considerwhetherthevoterhasdeclaredapartyaffiliation.

� Thevotershallsignhisorhernameintheappropriatesignaturecolumn.

� Thedistrictboardshallcomparethevoter’ssignaturetothesignatureinthepoll

bookforverification.

� Uponbeingsatisfiedthatthesignaturesarethesame,thedistrictboardmember

shallsignwithhisorherinitialsintheproperspaceadjacenttothevoter’s

signature.

IV. Processing the Voter

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� Thedistrictboardmemberissuesthevoteravotingauthorityslipstampedwitha

ballotnumber,andrecordstheballotnumberinthepropercolumninthepoll

book.If theelectionisaPRIMARY,thedistrictboardmemberissuesthevoting

authorityslipforthecorrectparty.

� Thevotermustsignhisorhernametoavotingauthorityslip.Thetearoff

portionisthendetachedandgiventothevoter.Thevoteristopresenttheslip

to the district board member in charge of the voting machine before entering the

votingmachineboothtovote.

� Thedistrictboardmemberacceptsthevotingauthorityslipfromthevoterand

placesitonthestring,orwire.Thedistrictboardmemberthensetsthemachine

forvoting.

� Onlyonevoteratatimeshallbepermittedinthevotingmachine.However,

thevoterwhoqualifiesforassistancemaybeaccompaniedbytheassistor.The

voter’sdependentchildalsomayaccompanythevoterintothevotingbooth.The

districtboardmembermustinstructthevotertokeephisorherchildonhisor

herleftsidewhileoccupyingthevotingbooth.

� Eachvoterisallowedtovoteonlyonce,andonceavotercompletescastinghis

orhervoteuponthevotingmachine,heorsheisnotpermittedtore-enterthe

votingbooth.

� Avoterispermittedtotakehisorherown“OfficialSampleBallot”intothe

votingboothorvotingarea,providedthatthevoterdoesnotusetheSample

Ballottoelectioneerorcauseanyimproperdisplayof theballotwhilewaiting

tovote.

Theballotisforthevoter’sreferenceonly.

NOTE: Beforethedistrictboardcanprocessavoter,itmaybenecessarytoprovidethe

voterwithspecialassistance.Itismostimportantthatalldistrictboardmembersfamil-

iarizethemselveswiththelawsandprocedurestobefollowedwhenavoterneedsassis-

tanceinvoting.Alldistrictboardmembersmustreadandreviewthesection,“Providing

AccommodationsorAssistancewithVoting,”onpage24.

16


Voting in the Voting Machine

TheCountyBoardof Electionwillprovideinstructionsonoperatingthevoting

machineusedinyourcounty.

Special Situations:

If the Voter’s Name is Not in the Poll Book

Ifthevoter’snamecannotbelocatedinthepollbook,thedistrictboardmembershould:

� carefullycheckthebookasthenamemayhavebeenincorrectlytyped,misspelled

orisoutof orderinthebook;

� Askthevotertorepeathisorheraddress,andrefertothestreetlistwhichhas

beenprovidedtodetermineif thevoterisinthecorrectpollingplace.

� If thevoter’saddressiswithinyourelectiondistrict,meaningthepersonisinthe

rightpollingplace,butthenameisnotinthebook,the voter can only vote by

provisional ballot.

� If thevoter’saddressisNOTwithinyourelectiondistrict,refertothestreetlist

todeterminethecorrectdistrictinordertodirectthevotertothecorrectpolling

location.Ifthereisanydoubt,advisethevotertocontacttheCountyBoardof

Electiontoconfirmhisorhercorrectpollinglocation.

If the Voter Signs on Another Voter’s Line

Whenavotermistakenlysignshisorhernameonanothervoter’slineinthepollbook,

drawasinglelinethroughthename.Do not obliterate it or erase it.

Whenthecorrectvoterappearstovote,havesuchvotersignhisorhernameabove

theincorrectsignature.Makeanoteoftheerrorandthecorrectioninthe

INCIDENTLOG.

If the Voter’s Name is Marked as Having Voted

Whenavoter,uponappearingtovote,findsthatthepollbookindicatesheorshehas


17

alreadyvoted,thedistrictboardcannotpermitthevotertovote. Refer the voter to the

CountyCommissionerof Registration(BoardorSuperintendent)foradviceandresolu-

tionof theproblem.

Voters Who Have Changed Their Names

Avoterwhosenameisinthepollbook,butwhostatesthatheorshehaschanged

hisorhernamebywayof marriageorcourtordermayvoteinthevotingmachine.The

votershouldbeprocessedasfollows:

� Thevotermustsigntheformernameandcurrentnameinthepollbook.

� DistrictboardshouldrequestthevotercompleteaChangeof NameFormin

ordertocorrectthevoter’srecord.

Voters Who Exit the Voting Booth Before Casting Their Vote

Thedistrictboardmembermuststayclosetothemachinetolistenif theCAST

VOTEbuttonwaspushed.If thevoterleavesthemachinebeforethisbuttonispushed,

thedistrictboardmembermustimmediatelyattempttogetthevotertocomebackto

themachinetopushthebuttonandfinishvoting.

Primary Election: Voters Qualified to Vote

Voter Affiliated with a Political Party Before Election Day

� APrimaryElectionisanelectionwherepoliticalpartiesselectcandidatesto

runintheGeneralElectioninNovember.Currently,theonlypoliticalpartiesin

NewJerseyaretheDemocratandRepublicanparties. ONLY VOTERS

WHO HAVE DECLARED AN AFFILIATION WITH THE

REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRATIC PARTY ARE PERMITTED TO

VOTE IN A PRIMARY ELECTION.Avoter’spartyaffiliationisindicatedin

thepollbookinaboxtotherightof thevoter’sname.

� Thedistrictboardmembermustbecarefultoprovidethevoterwiththe

votingauthorityslipthatcorrespondstothevoter’sdeclaredpoliticalparty.

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Thedistrictboardmemberoperatingthevotingmachinewillrelyuponthe

votingauthoritytosetthevotingmachineforaparty’sprimaryelectionballot.

� ADISTRICTBOARDMEMBERCANNOT PERMIT AVOTERTO

CHANGEHISORHERPARTYATTHEPOLLINGPLACE ANDVOTE

INTHENEWPARTY’SPRIMARYELECTION.It is a criminal offense for

the voter to vote across party lines and for the district board member to

allow this to occur.If avoterindicatesthatheorshedesirestochangehis

orherpartyaffiliation,theboardmembermustexplaintothevoterthatinorder

tochangepartyandvoteinthePrimaryElection,avotermustnotifythe

commissioner of registration of the change at least 55 days before the Primary

Election.Thedistrictmembermayofferthevoteraregistrationapplicationor

partydeclarationformtochangehisorherpartyaffiliationforfuture elections

only.

� If avoter’spollbookindicatesthatavoterisaffiliatedwithapoliticalparty,

butthevoterinsiststhatthepollbookiswrong,districtboardmembersshould

callthecommissionerof registration.

Unaffiliated Voters

AnUNAFFILIATEDVOTERisonewhohasnotdeclaredhisorheraffiliation

withapoliticalpartybeforeelectionday.

� AN UNAFFILIATED VOTER MAY DECLARE A PARTY

AFFILIATION AT THE POLLING PLACE AND VOTE IN THE

PRIMARY ELECTION.If avoter’spollbookpageisnotmarkedwithaparty

affiliation,thevotermaydeclareaffiliationwiththeDemocraticorRepublican

Partyandvoteinthatparty’sprimary.Whenanunaffiliatedvoterpresents

himself orherself tovote,thedistrictboardmembermustexplainthatthevoter

mustchooseapartyaffiliationinordertovoteinthePrimaryElection.The

district board member must record the voter’s declarationintheboxprovided

totherightof thevoter’sname.

NOTE:Allvoterspreviouslyidentifiedas“INDEPENDENT”arenowidentifiedas


19

“UNAFFILIATED”andcanvoteataPrimaryElection,if theydeclareapartyatthe

pollingplace.

Voting in Machine at a Primary Election

� Afterthevotergivestheboardmemberthevotingauthorityslip,theboard

member must:

� SELECT THE PROPER PARTY’ S BALLOT.Themachineoperatormust

examinethevotingauthoritysliptodeterminewhichparty’sballotthevoterwill

vote.Theoperatorwillpressthebuttonontheoperatorpanelthatmatchesthe

partydesignatedonthevotingauthorityslip.

� If theoperatorfailstosetthemachineforthecorrectpartybeforepressingthe

GREENactivatebutton,theoperatorMUSTpressthebuttonforthecorrect

partyandAGAINpresstheGREENactivatebutton.

� If avoterhasstartedtovotebeforethecorrectpartywasselected,themachine

operatormustdeactivateanyvotesthatthevoterhasselected,resettheparty

selectionandre-activatethemachine.

“Tagged” Voters

Thedistrictboardmembermayfindthatavoter’spollbookpageismarkedwith

oneof thefollowing“tags”:

Mail-In Ballot Voter

Avoterwhohasappliedforamail-inballotwillhavetheword“Mail-In”orthe

letter“M”inthesignaturespacewherethevoterwouldsignthepollbook.Thedistrict

boardmembershouldalsoconsultthesupplementalMail-InBallotlistforthosevoters

whoappliedforamail-inballotafterthepollbookswereprinted.Thedistrictboard

membershouldupdatethepollbookwiththisupdatedinformationonelectionday

morning.A mail-in voter cannot vote in the voting machine.

IF THE VOTER STATES THAT HE OR SHE DID NOT APPLY FOR,

RECEIVE OR RETURN A MAIL-IN BALLOT, THE VOTER IS TO BE

GIVEN A PROVISIONAL BALLOT. 20


If avoterarrivesatthepollingplacewithhisorhermail-inballot,heorshehastwo

options.One,thedistrictboardmembercanadvisethevoterthatheorshecandeliver

themail-inballottotheBoardof Electionbeforethecloseof pollsinordertohave

theballotcounted.Do not, under any circumstances, accept the ballot.Two,the

votercanvotebyprovisionalballotatthepollingplace.If thevoterchoosestovoteby

provisionalballotatthepollingplace,heorshemustbetoldnottodeliverthemail-in

ballottotheBoardof Election.

Signature Required

If thevoter’ssamplescannedsignatureismissingfromthepollbook,“Signature

Required”willbemarkedinthesignatureblock.Thevoterwhosesignatureismissing

cannotvoteinthevotingmachine.Thevotercanvoteonlybyprovisionalballot.

ID Required

If“IDRequired”appearsinthevoter’ssignatureblock,thevotermustpresentone

formofcurrentandvalididentification.Asuitableidentifyingdocumentincludes,butis

not limited to:

� avalidNJdriver’slicenseorMVCnon-driver’sIDcard;

� ANYphotoidentification;

� agovernmentdocumentwiththevoter’snameandaddress;

� acurrentutilitybill;

� taxbill;or

� rentreceipt.

Oncethevoterprovidestherequiredidentification,thedistrictboardmemberwillcheck

the“Yes”boxonthevoter’spage.Thisindicatesthattheboardmemberhasseenappropriate

identificationforthevoter.The voter is permitted to vote in the voting machine.

If the voter cannot provide acceptable identification, the voter can only vote

by provisional ballot.Thedistrictboardmembershouldcheckthe“NO”boxinthe

pollbook,indicatingthatthevoterdidnotprovideappropriateidentification.The

districtboardmemberistoprovidethevoterwiththeprovisionalballotmaterials.The


21

districtboardmembermustbefamiliarwiththeproceduresforProvisionalBallotVoting

asdescribedstartingonpage29of thisManual.

Affirm Address

If“AffirmAddress”appearsinthevoter’ssignaturebox,thevotermustcompletethe

“Affirmationof ResidencyAffidavit.”Thedistrictboardmemberwillreviewthe

Affirmationof Residencyanddeterminethevoter’sresidencystatusbasedsolelyon

informationprovidedbythevoter.The voter is not required to present any

identification or proof of address.Thedistrictboardmembermaynotaskthevoter

topresentanyidentificationorproof of address.Thisvotercannotbechallengedsolely

becausethereisan“AffirmAddress” inthesignaturebook.If thevoteraffirmsthathe

orshehasnotmovedandresideswithintheelectiondistrict,thevoter votes in the

voting machine.

Voters Who Have Changed Their Residence

The Voter Has Moved Within the Election District.

Ifthevoterindicatesthatheorshehasmoved,but still resides within the

election district,thedistrictboardmembermustaskthevotertocompletetheform

providedwiththeelectionmaterialsandusedbythecountytorecordthechangeof ad-

dress.The voter votes in the voting machine.

The Voter Has Moved Outside the Election District But Resides within the County.

Ifthevoterindicatesthatheorshehasmovedtoanotherelectiondistrictwithin the

county,thedistrictboardmembershoulddirectthevotertohisorhernewpollingplace

wherethevoter will vote only by provisional ballot.

The Voter Has Moved Outside the County After the Close of Registration.

Ifthevoterindicatesthatheorshehasmovedoutsideofthecountyafterthecloseof

registrationlessthan21daysbeforetheelection,andthereforecouldnotregisterinthe

22


newcountyintimetovoteinthiselection,the voter may vote on the machine. Voter

mustcompletetheproperform.

The Voter Has Moved Outside the County In Time to Register In the New County.

If thevoterindicatesthatheorshemovedoutsidethecountymorethan30days

beforetheelection,thevotermaynotvoteinthiscounty.Voterwasrequiredtoregister

tovoteinthenewcounty.

Voters with Disabilities

Thedistrictboardmayencountervoterswithdisabilitiesonelectiondaysinceabout

20%of NewJerseyanscurrentlyhavesometypeof disabilityordisablingcondition.For

instance,theremaybevoterswithvisionimpairments,speechorlanguageimpairments,

mobilityconcerns,physicalorintellectualdisabilities,mentalillness,orcertainhealth

conditions.Therefore,itisimportanttounderstandwhatthelawrequiresforvoterswith

disabilities.Thefollowingguidelinesshouldbehelpfulinunderstandinghowtointeract

appropriatelywithvoterswithdisabilitiesatyourpollingsite.

The Right to Vote

Bylaw,voterswithdisabilitieshavethesamelegalrighttovoteaseveryoneelse

regardlessof theirdisability.Noonecanbedeniedtherighttovotebecauseof a

disability.Infact,thelawinNewJerseystatesthat:

� Apersoncannot be denied the right to vote based on the fact that he or she:

� hasaspecificdisability(intellectual,developmental,physical,orpsychiatric),or

� hasalegalguardian,or

� livesinaninstitution,grouphome,supportedapartment,orotherresidential

facilitythatservesindividualswithdisabilities;or

� requiresthehelpof anassistancedog

Onlyajudgecandecidethatapersonlacksthementalcapacitytovote.Again,aperson

mustbeassumedtohavethecapacitytovoteunlessajudgerulesotherwise.This determina-


23

tion cannot be made by a district board member, a person’s family member, a person’s personal assistance

worker, or other staff.

Avoterwithadisabilitycannotberequiredtoanswerquestionsorfilloutaform

to“prove”hisorhermentalcapacity.Avoterwithadisabilitycannotberequiredtodo

anythingtoprovecapacity.

Voterswithdisabilitieshavethesamerightaseveryoneelsetocasttheirvotesonthe

machineinthevotingbooth.

Providing Accommodations or Assistance with Voting

Underfederalandstatelaw,voterswithdisabilitieshavetherighttoreceive

“reasonableaccommodations”atpollingplaces.Forexample,somevotersmightrequire

extratime,mightneedavotingmachinetobeadjusted,ormightneedassistanceinthe

votingbooth.Districtboardmembersmustknowhowtoadjustthemachinesif

necessary,mustknowwheretheaccessibleentrancesare,mustknowwhat

accommodationsareavailableandmustbehelpfultoanyvoterswhoneedassistance.

� Votersshouldnotbeaskedfor“proof”oftheirdisabilityinordertoreceive

accommodations.

� Someexamplesof otheraccommodationsthatvotersmightrequireare:

z Accessibleentryways,votingbooths,andvotingmachines

z Allowingavoterextratime

z Large-printballotoramagnifyingdevicetoreadtheballot

z Providingachairforavoterwhomightneedtositdownwhilewaiting

z Showingavoterhowtousethemachines

z Speakingmoreslowly

z If avotercannotspeakorreadEnglishandtherearenotbilingualboard

membersthevotercangettheassistanceof someoneof theirchoosing.

If thereisnoonetheCountyBoardof Electionshouldbecontacted.

Interacting with Voters with Disabilities

Aboveallelse,voterswithdisabilitiesshouldbetreatedwiththesamerespectand

24


courtesyasothervotersatthepollingplace.Inaddition,herearesomeusefultipsabout

disabilityetiquettetohelpyouinteractappropriatelywithvoterswithdisabilities:

� Kindlyspeaktothevoterdirectly,nottoacompanion,personalassistantorstaff

member.

� Donotassumethatsomeonewithadisabilityneedshelp.Youshouldaskbefore

helping.

� Pleaseaskbeforepushingsomeoneinawheelchair.

� Aperson’swheelchair,scooter,orotherassistivedeviceisconsideredtobean

extensionof theperson’spersonalspace.Don’tleanonortouchthesedevices

withoutsomeone’sexpresspermission.

� If youareassistingsomeonewhohasavisualimpairmentbyreadingsomething

aloudforthem,youdonotneedtoraiseyourvoice.

� Speakslowlyanddirectlytoapersonwhoishardof hearing.

� Rememberthatanimalsthatassistpeoplewithdisabilitiesmustbeallowedto

accompanythepersonintothebuildingandintothebooth.Youshouldnot

petortouchtheseanimals.

� Whengreetingsomeonewhohasavisualimpairment,letthemknowwhoandwhere

youare.If youprovideassistancetotheminwalking,allowthepersonto

takeyourarm(donotgrabtheperson’sarm)andtellthemwhenyouare

approachingstairs,whenyouareabouttoturnleftorright,andwarnthemif

thereareanyobstaclesintheway.

z Remembertoaffordvoterswithdisabilitiesthesameprivacyasother

voters.

z If youbelievesomeoneishavingtroubleunderstandingyou,speak

slowlyandclearly.Trysimplifyingwhatitisyouaresaying.

z If youassistthevoterinthevotingmachine,rememberyoucannot

disclosehowheorshevotedtoanyone.

Special Rules for Processing Voters Who Need Assistance

Federalandstatelawsprovidethatvoterswhoareblind,disabledorwhocannot

readorwriteEnglishareentitledtoassistanceinvoting.Whenavoterrequests


25

assistanceorindicatesthatheorsheisunabletoreadorwriteEnglish,theboard

membermustprovidethevoterwitha“DisabilityCertificateforAssistance”form,

whichisincludedamongyourelectionsupplies.Thevotermustdeclaretothedistrict

boardmembersunderoaththatbecauseof aninabilitytoreadorwrite,blindnessor

otherdisabilitythevoterisunabletocasthisorhervotewithoutassistance.

Oncethevoterhasmadethisdeclarationunderoathheorsheisentitledtothe

assistanceof apersonof hisorherownchoosing,withtheexceptionof thevoter’s

employer,representativeof theemployer,oranofficeroragentof thevoter’sunion.

Thevotermaychoosetheassistanceof thedistrictboard.Inthatcase,twoboard

membersof theoppositepoliticalpartyshouldofferassistance.Remember,however,

thatitisthevoter’schoice.Heorshecanchoosetohaveonlyoneboardmemberassist.

Thememberof thedistrictboardactingasclerkmustcompletethe“Disability

CertificateforAssistance”form.Theinformationincludedontheformmuststate

brieflywhatfactsconcerningthevoter’sdisabilityweresworntoandthenameof the

person(orpersons)whoprovidedassistancetothevoter.Thename and address of the

assistor(s)mustberecordedontheDisabilityCertificateforAssistanceform.Theperson

orpersonsprovidingassistancetothevotercannotrevealthenameof anypersonfor

whomthevotervoted,oranythingwhichtookplacewhilethevoterwasbeingassisted.

Districtboardmembersareexpectedtotreatallvoterswithcourtesyand

respectbutareparticularlyremindedthatvoterswithdisabilities,includingthosevoters

withalimitedproficiencyinEnglish,mayrequireadditionaltimeandaboardworker’s

courteousattentioninordertovote.Thepurposeof thefederalandStatevoter

assistancelawsistoencouragealldisabledvoterstoexercisetheirrighttovoteandto

allowthemtodosoinacomfortableandsecuremanner.Therefore,boardmembers

shouldextendallpossiblehelptosuchvoters.

Challenges in the Polling Place

Anyvotermaybechallengedregardinghisorherrighttovotebyindividualsknown

as“challengers.”Challengersareappointedbyeitheracandidateorgroupof candidates;

municipalorcountychairsof theDemocraticorRepublicanParties;orbythe 26


proponentsoropponentsof apublicquestion.In addition, a candidate in any

election may act as his or her own challenger.Achallengerrepresentingacandidate/

partyortheproponents/opponentsof apublicquestion,mustbearegisteredvoterof

thecounty.

AppointmentpapersforchallengersmustbefiledwiththeCountyBoardof

ElectionbythesecondTuesdaybeforetheelection.TheBoardwillissuethechallenger

credentials,whichincludeacertificateof appointmentandachallengerbadge.The

challenger’sbadgemustdisplaythepersonorpartyrepresentedbythechallenger.

Challengersmustwearthechallengerbadgeatalltimeswhileinthepollingplace.

Officialchallengersareauthorizedtoremaininthepollingplaceduringthecourseof

theelection,tochallengeavoter’seligibilitytovoteandtoaskallnecessaryquestionsto

determinethisright.

Whenachallengerentersthepollingplace,thechallengerisrequiredtogivethe

districtboardof electionhisorhercertificateof appointment.Thecertificateof

appointmentindicateswhetherthechallengerhasbeenappointedtoaparticularelection

districtorappointedasanat-largechallenger.At-largechallengersareauthorizedto

movefromonepollingplacetoanotherwithinthecounty.Therefore,whenanat-large

challengerleavesyourpollingplace,thedistrictboardmustreturnthecertificateof ap-

pointmenttothechallenger.

However,unlessinstructedtodosobytheCountyBoardofElection,thedistrict

boardwillnotreturnthecertificateof appointmenttoanychallengerwhoisassigned

specificallytoitselectiondistrict.Inordertopreventconfusionandcrowdinginthe

pollingplace,onlyone(1)challengerrepresentinganyof thepartiesdescribedabove

shouldbepermittedinthepollingplaceatanygiventime.

District board members may also act as challengers by virtue of their

appointmentandstatutoryduty.

CHALLENGERSMAYCHALLENGEAVOTERONLYIFTHE

CHALLENGERHASREASONTOBELIEVETHAT:

� thevoterisunder18yearsof age;


27

� thevoterisnotacitizenof theUnitedStates;

� thevoterisservingasentence,onparoleorprobationafterconvictionof an

indictableoffense;

� thevoterdoesnotresidewithintheelectiondistrict;or

� thevoterhasmovedoutof thecountymorethan30daysbeforeelectionday.

Challenge Process

� A challenger may not ask any questions directly to the voter. Allquestions

mustbedirectedtothedistrictboardmembers.

� ThechallengermustcompleteaChallengerAffidavit inwhichthechallenger

specifieshisorherreason(s)forchallengingthevoter.

� Onecopyof theChallenger’sAffidavitisgiventothechallengedvoter.

� ThedistrictboardwillretaintheoriginalChallengerAffidavitandreturnittothe

CountyBoardof Election.

� WhenthedistrictboardreceivesaChallengerAffidavit,adistrictboardmember

willreadaloudtothevoterthe“InformationforChallengedVoter”sheetwhich

explainsthevoter’srights.Thechallengedvotershouldfilloutandsignthe

“ChallengedVoterAffidavit”andprovideasuitableidentifyingdocumentfor

inspection.TheacceptableidentifyingdocumentsarelistedontheChallenged

VoterAffidavit.AfterthevotercompletestheAffidavit,thedistrictboard

membersmustreviewtheAffidavitandtheidentifyingdocumentandthenvote

onwhethertopermitthevotertovote.

Atleastthreedistrictboardmembersmustvoteagainstthevotertoupholdthechal-

lengeandpreventthevoterfromvoting.A tie vote of 2-2 (or 3-3 if there are six dis-

trict board members) works in the voter’s favor and the voter will be permitted to

vote in the voting machine. Each and every district board member must sign the

ChallengedVoterAffidavitandprovideacopytothechallengerandthevoter.The

districtboardwillretaintheoriginalAffidavitandreturnittotheCountyBoardof

Election.Oncethevoterhasvoted,thechallengeends.

28


Upholding the Challenge

Ifthedistrictboardupholdsthechallengeanddeterminesthatthevotermaynotvote,

thedistrictboardmustprovidethevoterwiththeChallengedVoterInformationsheetand

informthevoterofhisorherrighttoappearbeforeaSuperiorCourtJudgeforareviewof

thematter.IfthevotergoestocourtandtheJudgedecidesinthevoter’sfavor,theJudge

willissueanOrderpermittingthevotertovoteinthevotingmachine.Thevotershould

signhisorhernameontheOrderbeforeleavingthecourtroom.Whenavoterpresents

theOrdertothedistrictboard,thedistrictboardmemberwillinstructthevotertosign

theOrderagaininthepresenceof thedistrictboard.Thedistrictboardmembermust

comparethesignaturesand,if heorsheissatisfiedthatthesignaturesmatch,theboard

memberwillissuethevoteraVotingAuthorityslip.THE DISTRICT BOARD MUST

RETAIN THE COURT ORDER, PLACE IT IN THE POLL BOOK AND RE-

TURN IT WITH THE ELECTION SUPPLIES AT THE CLOSE OF POLLS.

Challenger Do’s and Don’ts

� Challengersmaynotspeakdirectlytothevoters.

� Challengersarenotpermittedtohandleanyelectiondocumentsortositatthe

tablewiththedistrictboardof election.

� Achallengermaynotapproachthevotingmachinetoexamineanycounters.

� Achallengermay,however,inspectthezero-proof reportattheopeningof the

pollsandthevotetotalprintedoutatthecloseof polls.

� Alistof thosethingsachallengermayandmaynotdo, “Challengers`Do’s

andDon’ts,”isprovidedintheVoter’sBillof Rightswhichmustbeprominently

displayedinthepollingplace.

Paper Ballots in Polling Places

Voting by Provisional Ballot

Aprovisionalballotisapaperballotthatisgiventoapersoninthepollingplaceif

thereisanyquestionregardinghisorherrighttovotewhichthedistrictboardcannot

resolve.


29

Voters Who Must Vote By Provisional Ballot

� Avoterwhosenamedoesnotappearinthepollbookathisorherpollingplace.

� Avoterwhosevoterinformationisdeficient.Anexampleisthevoterwhose

samplesignatureismissing.

� Avoterwhohasmovedwithinthecountyandfailedtonotifythecommissioner

of registrationbeforeelectionday(thatvoterwillnotbeinthepollbook).

� Avoterwhofailedtoprovidetherequiredidentification.

� Avoterwhosepollbookpageismarked“Mail-In”or“M”butwhostatesthathe

orshedidnotapplyfor,receive,orreturnamail-inballot.

Provisionalballotsaresuppliedtoeachdistrictboardof electioninasealed

Orange(orBlue)ballotbag.THE PROVISIONAL BALLOT BAG MUST RE-

MAIN SEALED UNTIL THE BOARD WORKER IS REQUIRED TO ISSUE A

PROVISIONAL BALLOT.

Whenavotermustvotebyprovisionalballot,adistrictboardmembershouldlocate

andunsealtheorange(orblue)provisionalballotbag.Theprovisionalballotbagwill

usuallycontain25to30ballotsandenvelopeswithdetachableAffirmationStatements,

pencils,aninventorysheetandanumberedplasticseal.Inadditiontothesematerials,

thedistrictboardmembersshouldlocatecopiesof theNoticetoProvisionalBallot

Voter,whichareincludedamongtheelectionsupplies.Afterremovingallthesupplies,

thedistrictboardmustcounttheprovisionalballotsandenvelopesthenrecordthe

numberof ballotsontheprovisionalballotinventorysheet.Thenumberedsealshould

beplacedintheKeyEnvelope.

Beforehandingtheprovisionalballotandenvelopetothevoter,thedistrictboard

membershouldinstructthevoterhowtofillouttheAffirmationStatementwhichisat-

tachedtotheprovisionalballotenvelope.The district board member must tell the

voter that the Affirmation is to be completed in its entirety and that it is NOT to

be removed or detached from the envelope.Thedistrictboardmemberistoinstruct

thevotertoplacethevotedballotinsidetheprovisionalballotenvelopeandsealthe

envelopebeforereturningittothedistrictboard. 30


Thevotermustbetoldthatif thevoterspoilsaballotorenvelope,heorshemay

returnthespoiledballotandreceiveanewballot.If thevoterreturnsaspoiledballot,

theboardworkershouldfoldtheballotinhalf,marktheballot“Spoiled”andplaceitin

theprovisionalballotenvelope,marktheenvelope“Spoiled”andplaceitinthe

ProvisionalBallotbag.

Aftergivingtheseinstructions,thedistrictboardmemberistogivethevotera

provisionalballotandenvelopewiththeattachedAffirmationanddirectthevotertoa

securityscreenorprivateareatocompletetheballot.ForaPrimaryElection,theboard

memberwillprovidetheRepublicanvoteronecoloredballotandenvelope,andprovide

theDemocratvoteronedifferentlycoloredballotandoneenvelope.

When the voter returns the ballot, the district board member, who is in

charge of the provisional ballot bag, must review the Affirmation for

completeness.If itisnotcompleted,thevotermustbetoldtofillinthemissing

information.

Thereafter,thevotercanplacetheballotintheprovisionalballotbagorhandthe

ballottotheboardmemberforplacementinthebag.Finally, before the voter leaves

the polling place, the district board member must provide the voter with the

Provisional Ballot Information Sheet which explains how the voter can find out

whether or not his or her ballot was counted.Thisinformationisalsofoundonthe

VotersBillof Rightswhichispostedprominentlyinthepollingplace.Thisinformation

isalsofoundontheVotersBillof Rightswhichispostedprominentlyinthepolling

place.

Voting by Emergency Ballot

Emergencyballotsarepaperballotswhichareusedifavotingmachinebecomesinop-

erable.Inaddition,ifthereisconsiderabledelayinthepollingplacecausedbytheuseof

thevotingmachineaudiokit,emergencyballotsshouldbeavailablefortheothervoters.

Inelectiondistrictswithtwovotingmachines,emergencyballotsshouldnotbeused

unlessbothmachinesareinoperable.Beforeopeningtheemergencyballotbox,if the


31

machinebecomesinoperable,thedistrictboardshouldfirstexaminethemachineto

determinetheproblemandseeif itcanbecorrectedbythedistrictboard.

Opening Emergency Ballot Box

If thedistrictboardcannotcorrecttheproblem,theboardshouldimmediately

notifythecustodianof votingmachines,explaintheproblem,andreceiveadvicefrom

thecustodianandrequestauthorizationtouseemergencyballotsuntilthemachine

problemiscorrected.TheSuperintendentortheCountyBoardof Electionwill

dispatchatechniciantothepollingplacetorepairorreplacethevotingmachine.

Inthemeantime,iftheSuperintendentorCountyBoard,asthecasemaybe,hasau-

thorizedtheuseofemergencyballots,thedistrictboardshouldlocatetheemergencybal-

lotboxandattachittothevotingmachine.Note: The district board must compare

the numbers on the green seal of the emergency ballot box with the numbers on

the voting machine key envelope. If they do not match, the district board must

tell the Superintendent or the County Board before opening the box.

If therearenoproblemswiththesealsand/orpermissionhasbeengrantedtoopen

theemergencyballotbox,thejudgeof thedistrictboardmusttakethesestepsinthefol-

lowingorder:

� breakthegreennumberedseal,

� opentheemergencyballotbox,

� removethecontentscontainingtheemergencyballotsandtheenvelopes

containingthenumberedwhiteandredseals,

� removethewhiteandredsealsandcomparethenumbersonthesealswiththose

onthefaceof theenvelope,andnoteontheenvelopeanydiscrepancies,

� placetheredsealbackintheenvelopeandreturntheenvelopetotheballotbox,

� showtheemergencyballotboxsothatthosepresentmayseethattheboxisnow

emptyexceptfortheenvelopecontainingthenumberedredseal,

� placethegreennumberedsealinthekeyenvelope,

� closeandre-sealtheemergencyballotboxwiththenumberedwhitesealremoved

fromtheenvelopeinthebox,leavingopentheslotinthelid.

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Contents of Emergency Ballot Box

Theemergencyballotboxshouldcontainatleast30emergencyballots,atleast30plain

whiteenvelopes,andaStatementforEmergencyPaperBallotsVoted.Alsoincludedinthe

emergencyballotbox,orelsewhereindistrictboardmembers’electionsupplies,areaprivacy

screen,aclipboard,andafastenertoholdtheenvelopestogether.

Voting By Emergency Ballot

Adistrictboardmembershouldkeeptheballotsinclearsightof thedistrictboardat

alltimes.Emergencyballotvotersareprocessedinthesamemannerasanyvoterentitled

tovoteonthevotingmachine.Only voters who are entitled to vote on the voting

machine are permitted to vote by emergency ballot.

Afterprocessingthevoterandissuingavotingauthorityslip,thedistrictboard

membershouldinstructthevotertotakethevotingauthoritysliptothedistrictboard

memberwhohascustodyof theemergencyballots.Thevoterwillhandthevoting

authoritysliptothedistrictboardmemberwhowillhandthevotertheemergencyballot

andaplainwhiteenvelope.

Theboardmembermustadvisethevoterthatif thevoterspoilstheballotthevoter

shouldfoldandplacethespoiledballotintheplainwhiteenvelopeandreturnittothe

boardmemberwhowillprovidethevoterwithasecondballotandenvelope.Theboard

membershouldmarktheoriginalenvelope“SPOILEDBALLOT.”Theboardmember

shouldinstructthevoterthatwhenthevoterhasfinishedmakinghisorherselections,

thevoteristofoldthevotedballotandplaceitintheplainwhiteenvelopeandreturnitto

theboardmember.Finally,theboardmembershoulddirectthevotertoa

designatedprivatevotingareaorsecurityscreen.

NOTE:ITISAGAINSTTHELAWTOALLOWTHEBALLOTTOBEVOTED

OUTSIDETHEPOLLINGBOOTHORSCREENAREA.DONOTGIVETHE

VOTERABALLOTUNTILTHEPOLLINGBOOTHORPRIVACYAREAIS

READYFORTHEVOTER.


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Whenthevoterreturnsthevotedballottotheboardmember,thevotermayplace

theballotintotheballotboxormayhandtheballottotheboardmembertodepositthe

ballotintheemergencyballotbox.

NOTE:ALLBALLOTSMUSTBEINSERTEDINTOTHEPLAINWHITE

ENVELOPEBEFORETHEYAREHANDEDTOTHEDISTRICTBOARD

MEMBER.

Resume Voting on the Voting Machine

Whenthevotingmachinehasbeenrepairedorreplaced,thedistrictboardmust

resumevotingonthemachine.Inthemeantime,thedistrictboardmustsecureallthe

unvotedemergencyballotsandplainwhiteenvelopeswiththeirelectionsupplies.A

districtboardmembermustrecordonthe“StatementforEmergencyPaperBallots

Voted”thevotingauthoritynumberof thelastvotertouseanemergencyballot.If a

votingmachinefailstooperateonmultipleoccasionsduringanysingleelection,a

“StatementforEmergencyPaperBallotsVoted”mustbecompletedoneachoccasion.

REMEMBER: THEEMERGENCYBALLOTBOX,SECUREDWITHTHE

WHITENUMBEREDSEAL,MUSTREMAININFULLVIEWOFTHEDISTRICT

BOARDMEMBERSDURINGTHEHOURSOFTHEELECTION.WHENEMER-

GENCYBALLOTSAREUSED,ATTHECLOSEOFTHEPOLLS,THEWHITE

SEALWILLBEREPLACEDBYTHEREDSEAL.(SEECLOSINGTHEPOLLS).

V. Closing the PollsAnnouncing the Close of Polls

Closing time

At8:00p.m.,thejudgepublicallyannouncesthepollsareofficiallyclosed.(Inschool

boardelections,thepollsofficiallycloseat9:00p.m.)Thesameclockusedtoopenthe

pollsshouldbeusedtoclosethepolls.Theoutsideentrancetothepollingplaceshould

beclosedatthistime. Absent an Order from a Judge of the Superior Court, the

polls MUST close at the appointed time. 34


Voters Who Are On Line to Vote at Closing Time

Anyvotersonlinetovoteatthecloseofpollsmustbeallowedtovote.Thedistrict

boardmemberscannottakeanystepstoclosethebooksorthevotingmachineuntilallvoters

presenthavebeenprocessed.Adistrictboardmembershouldbepositionedattheend

of thelineindicatingwhichvoterswereinlineatthetimethatthepollsofficiallyclosed.

Post-voting Procedures in the Polling Place

Challengers,candidates,andmembersof themediaaswellasthegeneralpublicmay

bepresentatthistime,aslongastheydonotinterferewiththeclosingprocedures.

Closing the Voting Machines

TheinstructionsforclosingthevotingmachineswillbeprovidedbytheCounty

Boardof Election.

Printing Reports

Electiontapesforalldistrictsmustbeprinted.Theopeningelectionzero-proof

tapeandtheclosingelectionresultstapes,cartridgesandkeysmustbeinventoriedand

returnedinthepropersupplybags.

Provisional Ballots

InventoryofProvisionalBallots.Atthecloseofthepolls,thedistrictboardsmust

inventorytheprovisionalballots.Thenumberof“invalid”ballots(placedinenvelopesmarked

“SPOILED”),usedprovisionalballots,unusedprovisionalballots,andmissingprovisionalballots

mustberecordedontheinventoryformprovidedwiththeprovisionalballotbag.

SigningofProvisionalBallotInventoryForms.Thedistrictboardmembersmustsign

theinventoryformwhenitiscompleted.Ifadistrictboardmemberdissentsfromthe

inventory,heorsheshallstatethereasonandsigntheform.

SealingtheProvisionalBallotBag.Afterplacingalltheprovisionalballotsand

V. Closing the Polls

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envelopesinthebag,thedistrictboardmembersmustsealthebagwiththenumbered

sealprovidedinthebag.

Canvassing and Tallying the Emergency Ballots

Afterthepollsclose,andthemachinetotalshavebeenrecorded,thedistrictboard

mustcountemergencyballots,if theywereused.

Counting Rules

Therequirementsforcountingapaperballotapply.Eachvotemusthavethe

appropriatemarkplacedintheproperplaceontheballottobecounted.Aninvalidvotein

oneplacedoesnotnecessarilyinvalidatetheentireballot.However,anyunauthorizedballot

markingswhichthedistrictboarddetermineswereintendedtoidentifyordistinguishthe

ballotwillresultintherejectionof theentireballot(thatiscalleda“marked”ballot).

Amisspelledwrite-invotedoesnotnecessarilyinvalidatethevote.Anyballotthat

thedistrictboarddeterminestobevoidmustbeidentifiedassuchontheenvelopein

whichitwasenclosed.

Procedure

First,aboardmemberistoremovethewhitesealfromtheemergencyballotboxand

openstheballotboxinfullviewof thepublic.Second,thejudgewillremovetheballots

oneatatimeandreadthevotescast.Thejudgewilldothisinviewof theinspectorwho

willlookattheballottomakesurethatitwasreadcorrectlyandrecordthevote(s)on

theEmergencyBallotTallySheet.Envelopesmarked“VOID”or“SPOILED”shallbe

setaside.Thedistrictboardclerkwilltallytheresultsof theemergencyballotsasthey

arereadbythejudge.

Beforeremovingthenextballotfromtheballotbox,thejudgeshallreplacetheballot

previouslyreadbackintoitsplainwhiteenvelopeandhandittotheinspector.Eachenvelope

shallbenumberedconsecutively(i.e.,1,2,3,etc.)andstrungtogetherinnumericalorder.

The district board members shall total all the votes cast by emergency

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ballotsonthetallysheet.ALL boardmembersmustsignthecompletedtallysheet.After

counting,onecopyofthetallysheetisplacedintheemergencyballotbox.Thesecondcopy

ofthetallysheetisplacedinthesupplybaginconjunctionwiththeothermachineresultsand

returnedinthesupplybagtothecountyelectionofficeormunicipalclerkdependingon

yourcounty’sproceedure.Thedistrictboardistoaddtheemergencyballotresultstothe

votingmachinetotalsintheproperplaceonthereturnsheet.

Afterallthevotedemergencyballotsarecounted,tallied,andstrungtogetherin

numericalorder,thedistrictboard must stringalltheplainwhiteenvelopesmarked

“VOID”or“SPOILED”attheendof thesamestring.Thedistrictboardmembers

thenplacethetallysheetandALL emergencypaperballots—voted,unvoted,void,and

spoiled--intotheemergencyballotbox.Finally,thedistrictboardmembersshallimmedi-

atelysecuretheballotboxwiththerednumberedseal.

Publish the Results of the Election

Adistrictboardmembershallannouncethefinalresultsof theelection,post

theresultsonthewallof thepollingplace,orprovidecopiesof theresultsasdirectedby

theCountyBoardof Election.

Collecting of all Election Materials and Supplies

ThedistrictboardmembersshouldlowertheAmericanflag;takedownallsigns;

collectinformationalmaterials;pollbooks;votingauthorityslips;courtorders;posters;

andgatheranyothersupplies.Thismaterialmustbesecuredforreturndelivery.

Return of Materials

Thecountiesusevariousproceduresforthereturnofelectionmaterials. YourCounty

Boardof Electionwillprovidetheinstructionsforthereturnof yourelectionmaterials.

District board members must not re-pack poll books in the machines at the end

of the day even if that is how they were delivered because they will be subject to

the 15 day period of impoundment after the election. Itisof theUTMOST 37

importancethatasecurechainof custodyismaintained--allitemspertainingtoelection

resultsshouldbeinventoriedandsignedforateachexchange.

Pay Voucher - Last But Not Least

Alldistrictboardmembersmustcompletethepayrollsheetandsignthepayvoucher.

Thecompletedpayrollsheetshouldbepackedwiththesuppliestoassurepaymenttothe

districtboardmembers. Eachdistrictboardmembermustsignthepayvouchertoassure

promptreceiptof hisorhercheck.

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