state of new jersey district board member€¦ · display of voting machine instructions 10...

State of New JerseyDistrict Board Member

Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno, Secretary of State

TraiNiNg MaNual

DistrictBoard

Worker Training

Manual

NJ Division of Elections - 9/13/11

I. INTRODUCTION 2

II. PREPARING FOR THE ELECTION 3 District Board Members 3 Training Requirements 3 Salary 3 General and Primary Elections 3 School Elections 4 Board Worker Etiquette 4 Certificateof Appointment 5 PollingPlaceSet-Up 5 BoardWorkerArrivalTime 5 SelectingAJudgeandInspector 6 MaterialsandSuppliesChecklist 6 IdentifytheOfficialClock 9 Placement of Voting Machines 9 Placement of Board Member and Challenger Tables 9 Preparationof aPrivacyAreaforVotersbyPaperBallot 10 Measurethe“NoElectioneering”Zone 10 ConductingAVoterAccessibilityWalk-through 10 Displayof VotingMachineInstructions 10 Opening/ClosingtheVotingMachine 11 OpeningthePolls 11 Breaks During Election Day 11

III. MAINTAINING ORDER AT THE POLLS 11 PersonsAllowedinthePollingPlace 11 Electioneering 12 Exit Polling 12 MediaReportersandPhotographers 13 Cell Phones 13 LaptopComputers 14 MiscellaneousSituationsThatMayArise 14 Fund-Rasing 14 Emergency 14 LowPaperBallotSupply 14 IncidentLog 14

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Worker Training

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IV. PROCESSING THE VOTER 15 RoutineProcedures 15 GeneralRuleforBalloting 15 TimeAllowedtoVote 15 VotingAuthoritySlips 15 WhenaVoterAppearstoVote 16 Voting in the Voting Machine 17

SpecialSituations 17 If theVoter’sNameisNotinthePollBook 17 If theVoterSignsonAnotherVoter’sLine 18 If theVoter’sNameisMarkedasHavingVoted 18 VotersWhoHaveChangedTheirNames 18 Voters Who Exit the Voting Booth Before CastingTheirVote 18

PrimaryElection:VotersQualifiedtoVote 19 VoterAffiliatedwithaPoliticalPartyBefore Election Day 19 UnaffiliatedVoters 20 VotinginMachineataPrimaryElection 20

“Tagged” Voters 21 Mail-InBallotVoter 21 Signature Required 21 IDRequired 22 AffirmAddress 22

VotersWhoHaveChangedTheirResidence 23 TheVoterhasMovedwithintheElectionDistrict 23 TheVoterhasMovedOutsidetheElection DistrictbutResideswithintheCounty 23 TheVoterhasMovedOutsidetheCounty AftertheCloseof Registration 23 TheVoterhasMovedOutsidetheCounty inTimetoRegisterintheNewCounty 23

VoterswithDisabilities 23 The Right to Vote 24

II

ProvidingAccommodationsorAssistance withVoting 24 InteractingwithVoterswithDisabilities 25 Special Rules for Processing Voters Who Need Assistance 26

Challenges in the Polling Place 27 ChallengeProcess 28 UpholdingtheChallenge 28 ChallengerDo’sandDon’ts 30

PaperBallotsinPollingPlaces 30 VotingbyProvisionalBallot 30 VotersWhoMustVotebyProvisionalBallot 30 Voting by Emergency Ballot . 32 OpeningEmergencyBallotBox 33 Contents of Emergency Ballot Box 34 Voting by Emergency Ballot 34 ResumeVotingontheVotingMachine 35

V. CLOSING THE POLLS 35 AnnouncingtheCloseof Polls 35 ClosingTime. 35 VotersWhoAreOnLinetoVoteatClosingTime 36 Post-votingProceduresinthePollingPlace 36 ClosingtheVotingMachines 36 PrintingReports 36 ProvisionalBallots 36 Canvassing and Tallying the Emergency Ballots 37 Counting Rules 37 Procedure 37 PublishtheResultsof theElection 38 Collectingof allElectionMaterialsandSupplies 38 Returnof Materials 38 Pay Voucher - Last But Not Least 39

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I. Introduction

I. Introduction Votingisoneof themostimportantrightswehaveasAmericans.Itis

throughelectionsthatourelectedleadersarechosen.Theseelectedofficialsmake

decisions that affect our everyday lives. The right to vote is only meaningful,

however,if allqualifiedvotershavethefullopportunitytoparticipateinfairand

lawfulelections.Ourvotersaredependent,therefore,uponthosepersonscharged

withelectionresponsibilities.Thereisnoquestionthatdistrictboardmembersare

onthefront-lineinpromotingdemocracyonelectionday.

ThepurposeofthismanualistoassistalldistrictboardmembersintheState

ofNewJerseywiththeknowledgeandinformationtheymusthaveinordertodo

theirjobproperlyandconfidently.Whilemanyvotersvotebymail-inballot,for

mostcitizens,theironlycontactinexercisingtherighttofranchiseiswiththeir

district board members.

Accordingly,correctandconsistentStatewideapplicationand

implementationof electionlawsatthepollingplacearefundamentaltoprotecting

ourfreedom.Thankyouforbecomingaboardworker!Weappreciatethatthe

hoursarelongandtheworkcanbechallenging,buttheservicesyouprovideonan

election day are invaluable.

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II. Preparing for the ElectionDistrict Board Members

Eachdistrictboardof electionistobecomprisedof twoRepublicanandtwo

Democraticdistrictboardmembersappointedbythecountyboardof election.In

certainelectiondistricts,additionaldistrictboardmembers,whoarebilingualin

EnglishandSpanish,areassignedtothedistrictboard.

Training RequirementsWithin30days beforeanelection,allnewmembersof adistrictboardmust

attendtrainingadministeredbythecountyboardof election.Alldistrictboard

membersmustattendtrainingsessionsforeachelectionatleastonceeverytwo

years.However,whennewlawsareintroduced,mandatorytrainingmaybe

required of district board members at the discretion of the county board

of election.

SalaryGeneral and Primary Elections

Foranygeneralelection,primaryelection,orspecialelection,thecom-

pensationis$200.00foreachdistrictboardmember.Inaddition,thedistrict

boardmemberwhoisresponsibleforobtainingandsigningforthepoll

booksshallreceiveanadditional$12.50perelection.Ifthatresponsibility

issharedbetweentwoboardmembers,eachmembershallreceive$6.25per

election.Thedistrictboardmemberwhoisresponsibleforreturningthepoll

booksattheclosingofthepollsreceivesanadditional$12.50perelection.If

thatresponsibilityissharedbetweentwoboardmembers,eachmembershall

receive$6.25perelection.Anydistrictboardmemberworkingageneral,

primaryorspecialelectionwhofailstoattendarequiredtrainingsession

intheyearinwhichsuchtrainingisrequired,shallbecompensatedonly

$50.00forthatelection.

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School Elections

Foranyschoolelection,districtboardmembersarepaidonanhourly

basis, in an amount to be determined by the local school board. For a school

election,thedistrictboardmemberwhoisresponsibleforobtainingandsigning

forthepollbooksshallreceiveanadditional$12.50perelection.If thatrespon-

sibilityissharedbetweentwoboardmembers,eachmembershallreceive$6.25

perelection.Thedistrictboardmemberwhoisresponsibleforreturningthepoll

booksattheclosingof thepollsshallreceiveanadditional$12.50perelection.

If thatresponsibilityissharedbetweentwoboardmembers,eachmembershall

receive$6.25perelection.Anydistrictboardmember

workingaschoolelectionwhofailstoattendarequiredtrainingsessioninthe

yearinwhichsuchtrainingisrequired,shallbecompensatedatanhourlyrate

of $3.85forthatelection.

Foranygeneral,primary,specialorschoolelection,districtboard

memberswillreceivepaymentfortheirserviceswithin30daysafter

each election.

Board Worker Etiquette Everyvotershouldleavethepollingplacefeelingpositiveabouthisorherex-

periencein,andcontributionto,thedemocraticprocess.Thisisalsoan

importantlessonforanychildren,(our“futurevoters”),whoaccompanytheir

parentstothepolls. Thesuccessof thiseffortdependslargelyupontheattitude

andconductof theboardmembers.Districtboardmembersareexpectedto

conductthemselvesinaprofessionalandcourteousmannertoeachandevery

voter throughout the course of the election. To facilitate the voting, it is also

importantthatallvoters’questionsbefullyanswered.Boardmembersshould

beparticularlysensitivetovoterswhomaynotspeakEnglishorhavelimited

Englishskillsorwhohavedisabilities.

Districtboardmembersmustalsoextendthesesamecourtesiestotheirfellow

boardmembers.Anydisagreementsshouldberesolvedinacalmmanner.Ifboard

II. Preparing for the Election

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members cannot resolve an issue among themselves, they should call the county

boardoffice.Undernocircumstancesshouldanydisagreement escalate into a loud

and heated argument.

Whileweallknowelectiondayislong,maintainingone’spatiencewillgoalong

waytowardensuringasmoothelection.Asenseofhumoralsohelps.Remember:

Bepolite,patientandhelpfultothevotersandyourfellowboardmembers.

Certificate of Appointment

DistrictboardmembersmusthavetheirCertificatesofAppointmentwith

thematalltimeswhileperformingtheirduties.EmergencyCertificatesof

Appointmentmaybeusedif asubstitutedistrictboardmemberisappoint-

edtofillavacancy.If avacancyoccurs,districtboardmembersmustim-

mediatelycontactthecountyboardof election,whichwillprovideinstruc-

tionsonhowtoproceed.

EachdistrictboardmembermusttakeandsigntheOathofOfficebefore

undertakinganyelectionduties.TheCertificatemustbecompletedand

returnedwiththeelectionsuppliesattheconclusionof theelection.

Polling Place Set-Up

Board Worker Arrival Time

Districtboardmembersmustarriveattheirassignedpollingplaceno later

than45minutesbeforethepollsofficiallyopen.Exceptforschoolelections,

districtboardmembersmustarriveby5:15a.m.tohavethevotingmachineready

for voting promptlyat6:00a.m.Thecountyboardof electionwilladvisethedistrict

boardmembersof thehoursforschoolelections,whicharesetbythelocalschool

board.Districtboardmembersmustarriveattheirassignedpollingplacenolater

than45minutesbeforethepollsofficiallyopenforschoolelections.

Adistrictboardmemberwhoisunabletoreporttohisorherassignment

mustnotifythecountyboardofelectionassoonaspossible,sothatasubstitute

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can be found. The district board must immediately notify the county board of

election if any board member, including any bilingual district board member,

failstoreportforduty.However,thedistrictboardmaynotdelaytheopening

of thepollsbecauseof theabsenceof anymember.

Selecting A Judge and Inspector Thedistrictboardmembersmustelectajudge,whoshallberesponsiblefor

thecompletionofallpaperwork,andaninspector.Thejudgeandinspectormust

befromdifferentpoliticalparties.Ifthedistrictboardfailstoelecteither

officeronthreeballots,theseniormemberinlengthof serviceonthedistrict

boardbecomesthejudgeandthenextmostseniormemberof theopposite

politicalpartybecomestheinspector.Theremainingmembersaredesignatedas

clerks.Whilethejudgemayberesponsibleforensuringthecompletionof all

paperwork,alldistrictboardmembershaveequalauthoritywhileperformingtheir

duties on election day. Further, all district board members must remain at their as-

signedpollingplaceuntilallelectionrelatedresponsibilitiesarecompleted.

Materials and Supplies Checklist Electiondaymaterialsareprimarilyassembledintheofficesofthecounty

boardsofelection,andarepackedintobagsorothercontainersfordelivery.

Countiesusevariouswaystoprovidethematerialstothedistrictboards.The

districtboardmembersshouldcheckthelistsof materialsandsuppliestoen-

surethatthedistrictboardhasbeenprovidedwiththefollowingmaterialsthat

itwillneed.Thesematerialsinclude:

PollBooks:typicallythepollbookfortheelectiondistrictisbroken

downintoatleasttwovolumesalphabetically;

VotingAuthorityBooks;

VotingMachineKeys;

ProvisionalBallotBagwithprovisionalballotsandenvelopes;

ThreeSampleBallots:Thesemustbepostedsothatvoterswillbeabletoread

boththefrontandbackofthesampleballot.Theinformationonthesample


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ballots states:

electionandthelistofthecandidatesandanypublicquestions;

thedateandtimeof theelection;

pollingplacelocation;

theelectiondistrictnumber;

whetherthepollingplaceishandicappedaccessible;

votinginstructions;

VoterBillofRightsposter:Parts1and2;

Signs:

Handicapped-Accessibilitysign,whichistobepostedatthe

handicappedaccessibleentrancetothepollingplace;

Signsdirectingvoterstothelocation(s)of votingmachines;

“VoteHere”signswhichshouldbepostedattheoutsideentrance

tothepollingplace;

“NoLoiteringorElectioneering”signwhichistobepostedatthe

pollingplaceentrance;

Signindicatingvotingdistrict(s)number(s)whichistobepostedatthe

entranceandontheappropriatetableforanelectiondistrictif there

aremultipleelectiondistrictsinthepollingplace;

“NoSmoking”signwhichistobepostedatthepollingplaceentrance;

“A-K”and“L-Z”signswhicharetobeplacedonthetableinfrontof

pollbooks.

Streetnameandelectiondistrictlistofthemunicipalitywhichshouldbe

placedbythepollbooks;

PollingPlaceList:aprint-outof allthepollingplacesinthecounty

listedbymunicipalityandelectiondistrict;

ChallengerAffidavitForms

DisabilityCertificates;

VoterComplaintForms;

IncidentLogtorecordanyproblemsthatoccuronelectionday;7

Affirmationof ResidencyForms;

InformationforProvisionalBallotVoter;

Badges for board members

mustbewornatalltimes;

BoardWorkerManual;

InformationforChallengedVoters

VotingMachineInstructionPosterandEasel;

EmergencyBallotProcedures;

PayrollSheetforDistrictBoard;

TelephoneNumbersforthecountyboardof election,county

superintendentof elections(if thereisoneinthecounty),sheriff ’s

department,localmunicipalclerkandlocalpolicedepartment;

Tapeforaffixingsigns;

SupplementalMail-InBallotVoterList:

If avoterappliesforamail-inballotafterthepollbooksare

printed,thatvoter’snamewillappearonasupplementallistwhich

willbedeliveredtothepollingplacebythemunicipalclerkon

election day morning.Thissupplementallistshouldbekeptnearthe

pollbooksandusedbytheboardmemberstoupdatethepollbooks

on election day morning.

NOTE:ItismostimportantthatthedistrictboardprominentlypostALL

signsincludedinitssupplies,bothEnglishandSpanish,inthepollingplace.

These signs should be immediately visible to and easily read by the voter

whenheorsheentersthepollingplace.

Inaddition,theAmericanflagmustbedisplayedattheentrancetothe

pollingplaceduringthehoursof theelection.Immediatelycontactthemunicipal

clerkif thereisnoflagatthepollingplace.


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Identify the Official ClockThedistrictboardmembersmustselectanofficialclockandcoordinateall

watcheswiththatclocksothatthereisnoconfusionaboutthetimesthatthe

pollsareopenedorclosed.Useawallclockintheroomastheofficialclock,if

oneisavailable,becauseitislikelythatvotersandchallengerswillusethisasa

reference.Itisimportantthatthedistrictboardmemberscoordinatethetime

onthevotingmachinezero-printoutreportwiththeofficialclock.Intheevent

thatthetimesonthezero-printoutandtheofficialclockarenotidentical,the

judgemustdeterminetheofficialtime.

Placement of Voting MachinesThevotingmachine(s)shouldbeplacedatleastthreefeetfromawallor

partition,andatleastfourfeetfromanytablewherethedistrictboardmem-

bersareseated.Themachine(s)shouldbesituatedsothattheballotsontheface

of themachine(s)canbeplainlyseenbythedistrictboardmembersandchal-

lengersatalltimeswhennotinusebyavoter. District board members assigned

toworkthevotingmachinesmustcheckthefaceof thevotingmachineafter

eachvoterfinishesvotingandleavesthemachine.

Placement of Board Member and Challenger TablesDistrictboardmembers’tablesmustbesituatedtoensureafullviewofthe

pollingplaceandthevotingmachines.Challengerscannotsitwiththedistrict

boardatthepollbooktables.Thechallenger’stableshouldbelocatedclose

enoughtothedistrictboardmembers’tablesothatthechallengercanhearthe

voter’snamewhenthedistrictboardmemberreadsitaloud.

NOTE: NOINDIVIDUAL,INCLUDINGADISTRICTBOARDMEM-

BER,ISPERMITTEDTOBEINAPOSITIONFROMWHICHHEOR

SHEMAYOBSERVEHOWAVOTERHASVOTED.

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

Setasideanareawherevoterswhoarevotingbyemergencyorprovisional

ballot may vote privately. Preparethedesignatedareawithatableorclip

board,pencils,andaprivacyscreen.

Measure the “No Electioneering” ZoneBoardmembersshouldmeasure100feetfromtheoutsideentranceofthe

pollingplace.Thismarksaprotectedareawithinwhichnoelectioneering,fund

raisingactivitiesorothersocialeventsarepermitted.

Conducting a Voter Accessibility Walk-through Theboardmembersshouldperformawalk-throughofthepollingplacefor

barrierstoaccessibility.Thisprocedureshouldbeginattheparkinglotand

includeaccesstoentrances,parkingandpathwaysigns,internalandexternal

doorwaysandpossibleobstructionswhichmighthinderdisabledorelderly

voters.Thedistrictboardshouldselectan“accessibilitypoint-person”from

amongthemselves.Theappointeddistrictboardmemberisresponsiblefor

ensuringthatthepollingplaceremainsaccessibletodisabledorelderlyvoters

throughout election day. Boardmembersshouldconductawalk-through

periodicallyatleast2moretimesduringelectionday.Anybarriersorobstacles

whichmightimpedeadisabledorelderlyvotermustberemovedoradjusted.

NOTE: Accessibilitysignsmustbepostedatthehandicappedaccessible

entrancetothepollingplace.Signsdirectingvoterstothelocation(s)of voting

machinesmustbepostedininteriorpassageways.Ifthedistrictboarddetermines

thatadditionalaccessibilitysignsareneeded,thejudgeshouldtelephonethecounty

board of election immediately.

Display of Voting Machine Instructions Instructionsforusingthevotingmachine,includinginstructionsforcasting


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awrite-invote,mustbeplacedwheretheyareimmediatelyvisibletoandcanbe

easily read by a voter before the voter enters the voting machine.Separate

instructionsforuseof theaudiokitforthevisually-impairedvotersmustalso

be readily available.

Opening/Closing the Voting Machine Theproceduresforopeningandclosingthevotingmachinesandtheaudio

set-upproceduresareprovidedbythecountyboardof electionunder

separatecover.

Opening the Polls Asdeterminedbytheofficialclock,atprecisely6:00a.m.(oratthetimeset

byaschooldistrictforaschoolelection),thejudgeof thedistrictboardshould

publiclyannounce thatthepollsareofficiallyopen.

Breaks During Election DayAmajorityofthreeofthedistrictboardmembersmustbepresentat all times

whenthepollsareopen.Therefore,onlyoneboardmember is

permittedtobeabsentfromthepollingroomatatime.Aboardmemberis

permittedtobeabsentforaonehourlunchbreakbetweenthehoursof 1:00

p.m.and5:00p.m.Noboardmember,however,shouldbeabsentfromthe

pollingplaceafter5:00p.m.

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

Stateelectionlawprovidesthatonlycertainpeopleareauthorizedtobeinthe

pollingplace.Theyareasfollows:

District Board Members

Votersandtheirdependentchildren

Credentialed Challengers11

Candidates

Electionofficials

Policeofficers,if assigned

Federal or state observers

NOTE: Boardmembersshouldnotpermitunauthorizedpersonstoremainin

thepollingplaceandshouldaskthemtoleave.

Electioneering Electioneeringisnotpermittedwithin100feetof theentranceof thepolling

place.Electioneeringisdefinedasthedistributionordisplayof anycircularor

printedmatterorofferingof anysuggestionorthesolicitationof supportforany

candidate,partyorpublicquestion.Thisincludes,butisnotlimitedto,wearingof

partisantee-shirts,buttons,hatsand/orthedisplayordistributionof partisan

campaignmaterialincludingpamphlets,newsletters,brochures,bumperstickers,

signsorplacards.Thedistrictmembersshouldaskthattheelectioneeringstopand

contacttheCountyBoardof Election,if thereareanyproblems.Asalastresort,

thedistrictboardcouldrequestpoliceassistance.

If partisanpoliticalsignsarelocatedonprivatepropertythatislocatedwithin

the100foot“noelectioneering”zone,thedistrictboardshouldrequesttheprop-

ertyownertoremovethesignormoveittoanareaoutsidethe100foot“noelec-

tioneering”zone.If thepropertyownerortenantrefuses,however,thedistrict

board should take no further action.

Inordertoavoidtheappearanceofpartisanship,districtboardmembersshouldnotac-

ceptfoodorothergiftsofferedbycandidatesorpartiesduringtheconductof

the election.

Exit Polling Exitpollinginsidethe100foot“noelectioneering“zoneispermittedonlybyrep-

resentativesof ABC,AP,CBS,CNN,FOXandNBC.Representativesof theseMedia

outlets must have credentials from the County Board of Elections.Theexitpollster

III. Maintaining Order at the Polls

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mayquestionvoterswhoareleavingthepollingplace.Voterparticipationinexitpollingis

strictly voluntary.

Apollstermuststandoutsidethepollingplacebutcanstandanywherewithin

the100foot“noelectioneering”zone.Thepollstercannotinterferewiththe

orderlyconductof theelectionorobstructthepathof votersastheyenterorexit

fromthepolls.

Approachingvotersbeforetheyenterthepollingplace,however,isprohibited.

These voters should not be subject to any questioning, or the offering of assistance

oranymaterialsastheyareenteringthepollingplace.

Media Reporters and Photographers Photographers,TVcameracrewsandreportersfromthemediaaregenerallynot

permittedinthepollingroom.However,ithasbeenalongstandingtraditioninNewJer-

seytopermitthefilmingorphotographingof acandidatevotingatthepolls.Themedia

mustobtainpriorpermissionfromtheCountyBoardof Electiontodothis.If amem-

berof themediaentersthepollingplacetotakephotographs,thedistrictboardmust

refer the individual to the County Board of Election for its determination of the matter.

Thedistrictboardmustnotallowthephotographer,cameracreworreportertointerfere

withtheconductof theelection,theprivacyof voters,ordistracttheboardmembers

fromperformingtheirduties.

Cell Phones Generally,thedistrictboardshouldnotpermittheuseof cellphonesinthe

pollingplace.If avoterorachallengerisusingacellphoneinthepollingplace,the

districtworkershouldrequestthattheindividualdosoinanotherroom.Avoter

cannotuseacellphoneinthevotingmachine.Aboardmembershoulduseacell

phone,however,tocontacttheCountyBoardof Electionorsuperintendentof

electionsforofficialelectionbusiness.

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Laptop Computers Theuseof alaptopcomputerbyachallengertotrackvotersortorecord

pollingplaceobservationsisgenerallyacceptable.If forsomereason,itcausesa

disturbance,thedistrictboardshouldaskthechallengertostopusingit.

Miscellaneous Situations That May Arise Fund-Raising Nosocialorfund-raisingactivityof anygroupororganizationshouldbe

permitted within100feetof theentranceof apollingplace,orinthepollingroom,

on election day. This includes, but is not limited to, bake sales, dinners or other

foodsales,booksales,craftexhibits,artshowsorothersocialorfundraising

activities.Thedistrictboardmustaskindividualsresponsibleforsucheventstoleave

theprotectedarea.

EmergencyIfafiredrilloranemergencyoccurs,everyonemustsafelyevacuatethe

building.Aboardmembershouldtakecustodyoftheprovisionalballotbagand

close the front of the voting machine, if possible. The County Board of Elec-

tionshouldhaveanemergencyvotingplan,includingalternatevotingsitesand

emergencyprocedures.

Low Paper Ballot SupplyIfthedistrictboardfindsthatitisrunninglowonemergencyorprovisional

ballots, the district board must immediately notify the County Board of Election

sothatitcanarrangeformoreballotstobedeliveredtothepollingplace.

Incident LogThe district board should use an incident log to record voting irregularities,

mistakes,orunusualeventsorincidentsthatoccuratthepollingplaceduring

electionday.Someexamplesare:

Avoterwhosignsonthesignaturelineof anothervoterinerror;

Aboardmemberwhomistakenlypermitsavotertovoteacrossparty

linesinaprimaryelection;

III. Maintaining Order at the Polls

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Disturbancesinthepollingplace.Thelogshouldincludethetime,a

descriptionof theincidentandhowitwashandled,andtheidentityof

theperson(s)andboardmember(s)whowereinvolved.Theincidentlog

shouldbereturnedwiththesuppliesandmaterialsatthecloseof polls.

Use of emergency ballots

“Fleeing Voters”

IV. Processing the Voter Routine Procedures

General Rule for BallotingMostvoterswillvoteinthevotingmachine.Thedistrictboardshallnot

permitanypersonwhosenameandsignaturedoesnotappearinthepollbook

to vote on the voting machine unlessthevoterpresentsaCourtOrder stating

that the voter is to vote in the machine.

Time Allowed to VoteThelawstatesavoterispermittednomorethantwominutestocastavote.

However,moretimemaybeneededifavoterisusingtheaudiokit,orifthe

voter requires another form of assistance. The district board must be reasonable

inthissituation.Oncethevoteiscast,thevotermustexitfromthevotingma-

chineboothimmediatelyandleavethepollingplace.If avoterrefusestoleave

the voting booth, the district board members are authorized to remove the

voter. Oncethevotercompletescastinghisorhervoteuponthemachine,he

orshecannotgobackintothemachineforanyreasonwhatsoever.

Voting Authority Slips Eachelectiondistrictwillreceivepadsof votingauthorities.Eachvoting

authorityslipisintwopartsandisperforated;theupperportionistobe

signedbythevoterandremainsinthepadwiththedistrictboard.Theother

half of theperforatedticketisgiventothevoterwhomusthandittothe 15

districtboardworkerwhoisoperatingthevotingmachine.Avotermust

presentavotingauthoritysliptothedistrictboardmemberwhoisoperatingthe

machine before the voter may enter the voting booth. The district board

memberwilltakethevotingauthorityandplaceit,intheorderinwhichitwas

received,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

name and address of the voter loudly enough so the challengers can hear it.

Thedistrictboardmembershalllocatethevoter’snameandaddressinthe

pollbook.If theelectionisaPRIMARY,thedistrictboardmembermustalso

considerwhetherthevoterhasdeclaredapartyaffiliation.

Thevotershallsignhisorhernameintheappropriatesignaturecolumn.

Thedistrictboardshallcomparethevoter’ssignaturetothesignatureinthe

pollbookforverification.

Uponbeingsatisfiedthatthesignaturesarethesame,thedistrictboardmember

shallsignwithhisorherinitialsintheproperspaceadjacenttothevoter’ssignature.

Thedistrictboardmemberissuesthevoteravotingauthorityslipstamped

witha ballotnumber,andrecordstheballotnumberinthepropercolumn

inthepollbook.If theelectionisaPRIMARY,thedistrictboardmember

issuesthevotingauthorityslipforthecorrectparty.

Thevotermustsignhisorhernametoavotingauthorityslip.Thebottom

portionisthendetachedandgiventothevoter.Thevoteristopresenttheslip

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

the voting machine booth to vote.

Thedistrictboardmemberacceptsthevotingauthorityslipfromthevoterand

placesitonthestring,orwire.Thedistrictboardmemberthensetsthemachine

for voting.

Onlyonevoteratatimeshallbepermittedinthevotingmachine.However,the

voterwhoqualifiesforassistancemaybeaccompaniedbytheassistor.The

voter’sdependentchildalsomayaccompanythevoterintothevotingbooth.

Thedistrictboardmembermustinstructthevotertokeephisorherchildon

hisorherleftsidewhileoccupyingthevotingbooth.

IV. Processing the Voter

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Eachvoterisallowedtovoteonlyonce,andonceavotercompletescastinghisor

hervoteuponthevotingmachine,heorsheisnotpermittedtore-enterthe

voting booth.

Avoterispermittedtotakehisorherown“OfficialSampleBallot”intothe

votingboothorvotingarea,providedthatthevoterdoesnotusetheSample

Ballottoelectioneerorcauseanyimproperdisplayof theballotwhilewaiting to vote. Theballotisforthevoter’sreferenceonly.

NOTE: Beforethedistrictboardcanprocessavoter,itmaybenecessaryto

providethevoterwithspecialassistance.Itismostimportant that all district

boardmembersfamiliarizethemselveswiththelawsandprocedurestobe

followedwhenavoterneedsassistanceinvoting.Alldistrictboardmembers

mustreadandreviewthesection,“ProvidingAccommodationsorAssistance

withVoting,”onpage24.

Voting in the Voting Machine

TheCountyBoardof Electionwillprovideinstructionsonoperatingthe

voting machine used in your county.

Special Situations:

If the Voter’s Name is Not in the Poll Book Ifthevoter’snamecannotbelocatedinthepollbook,thedistrictboardmember

should:

carefullycheckthebookasthenamemayhavebeenincorrectlytyped,

misspelledorisoutof orderinthebook;

Askthevotertorepeathisorheraddress,andrefertothestreetlistwhich

hasbeenprovidedtodetermineif thevoterisinthecorrectpollingplace.

If thevoter’saddressiswithinyourelectiondistrict,meaningthepersonisin

therightpollingplace,butthenameisnotinthebook,the voter can only

votebyprovisionalballot.

If thevoter’saddressisNOTwithinyourelectiondistrict,refertothestreet

list to determine the correct district in order to direct the voter to the correct

17

pollinglocation.Ifthereisanydoubt,advisethevotertocontacttheCounty

Boardof Electiontoconfirmhisorhercorrectpollinglocation.

If the Voter Signs on Another Voter’s LineWhenavotermistakenlysignshisorhernameonanothervoter’slineinthe

pollbook,drawasinglelinethroughthename.Do not obliterate it or erase it.

Whenthecorrectvoterappearstovote,havesuchvotersignhisorhername

above the incorrect signature. Make a note of the error and the correction in the

INCIDENTLOG.

If the Voter’s Name is Marked as Having VotedWhenavoter,uponappearingtovote,findsthatthepollbookindicateshe

orshehasalreadyvoted,thedistrictboardcannotpermitthevotertovote. Refer

thevotertotheCountyCommissionerof Registration(BoardorSuperinten-

dent)foradviceandresolutionof theproblem.

Voters Who Have Changed Their Names Avoterwhosenameisinthepollbook,butwhostatesthatheorshehas

changedhisorhernamebywayof marriageorcourtordermayvoteinthe

votingmachine.Thevotershouldbeprocessedasfollows:

Thevotermustsigntheformernameandcurrentnameinthepollbook.

DistrictboardshouldrequestthevotercompleteaChangeof NameForm

inordertocorrectthevoter’srecord.

Voters Who Exit the Voting Booth Before Casting Their Vote

The district board member must stay close to the machine to listen if the

CASTVOTEbuttonwaspushed.Ifthevoterleavesthemachinebeforethisbut-

tonispushed,thedistrictboardmembermustimmediatelyattempttogetthe

votertocomebacktothemachinetopushthebuttonandfinishvoting.


18

DistrictBoard

Worker Training

Manual

Primary Election: Voters Qualified to VoteVoter Affiliated with a Political Party Before Election Day APrimaryElectionisanelectionwherepoliticalpartiesselectcandidatesto

runintheGeneralElectioninNovember.Currently,theonlypolitical

partiesinNewJerseyaretheDemocratandRepublicanparties. ONLY

VOTERSWHOHAVEDECLAREDANAFFILIATIONWITHTHE

REPUBLICANORDEMOCRATICPARTYAREPERMITTEDTO

VOTEINAPRIMARYELECTION.Avoter’spartyaffiliationisindicated

inthepollbookinaboxtotherightof thevoter’sname.

Thedistrictboardmembermustbecarefultoprovidethevoterwiththe

votingauthorityslipthatcorrespondstothevoter’sdeclaredpoliticalparty.

Thedistrictboardmemberoperatingthevotingmachinewillrelyuponthe

votingauthoritytosetthevotingmachineforaparty’sprimaryelectionballot.

ADISTRICTBOARDMEMBERCANNOTPERMITAVOTERTO

CHANGEHISORHERPARTYATTHEPOLLINGPLACE AND

VOTEINTHENEWPARTY’SPRIMARYELECTION.Itisacriminal

offenseforthevotertovoteacrosspartylinesandforthedistrictboard

membertoallowthistooccur.If avoterindicatesthatheorshedesiresto

changehisorherpartyaffiliation,theboardmembermustexplaintothe

voterthatinordertochangepartyandvoteinthePrimaryElection,avoter

must notify the commissioner of registration of the change atleast55days

before the Primary Election. The district member may offer the voter a

registrationapplicationorpartydeclarationformtochangehisorherparty

affiliationforfuture elections only.

If avoter’spollbookindicatesthatavoterisaffiliatedwithapoliticalparty,

butthevoterinsiststhatthepollbookiswrong,districtboardmembers

should call the commissioner of registration.

19

Unaffiliated Voters AnUNAFFILIATEDVOTERisonewhohasnotdeclaredhisorheraffiliation

withapoliticalpartybeforeelectionday.

ANUNAFFILIATEDVOTERMAYDECLAREAPARTY

AFFILIATIONATTHEPOLLINGPLACEANDVOTEINTHE

PRIMARYELECTION.If avoter’spollbookpageisnotmarkedwitha

partyaffiliation,thevotermaydeclareaffiliationwiththeDemocraticor

RepublicanPartyandvoteinthatparty’sprimary.Whenanunaffiliated

voterpresentshimself orherself tovote,thedistrictboardmembermust

explainthatthevotermustchooseapartyaffiliationinordertovoteinthe

Primary Election. The district board member mustrecordthevoter’s

declarationintheboxprovidedtotherightof thevoter’sname.

NOTE:Allvoterspreviouslyidentifiedas“INDEPENDENT”arenow

identifiedas“UNAFFILIATED”andcanvoteataPrimaryElection,if theyde-

clareapartyatthepollingplace.

Voting in Machine at a Primary Election Afterthevotergivestheboardmemberthevotingauthorityslip,theboard

member must:

SELECTTHEPROPERPARTY’SBALLOT.Themachineoperator

mustexaminethevotingauthoritysliptodeterminewhichparty’sbal-

lotthevoterwillvote.Theoperatorwillpressthebuttonontheoperator

panelthatmatchesthepartydesignatedonthevotingauthorityslip.

If theoperatorfailstosetthemachineforthecorrectpartybeforepressing

theGREENactivatebutton,theoperatorMUSTpressthebuttonforthe

correctpartyandAGAINpresstheGREENactivatebutton.

If avoterhasstartedtovotebeforethecorrectpartywasselected,the

machineoperatormustdeactivateanyvotesthatthevoterhasselected,reset

thepartyselectionandre-activatethemachine.


20

DistrictBoard

Worker Training

Manual

“Tagged” Voters Thedistrictboardmembermayfindthatavoter’spollbookpageismarkedwith

oneof thefollowing“tags”:

Mail-In Ballot Voter Avoterwhohasappliedforamail-inballotwillhavetheword“Mail-In”or the

letter“M”inthesignaturespacewherethevoterwouldsignthepollbook.

ThedistrictboardmembershouldalsoconsultthesupplementalMail-In

Ballotlistforthosevoterswhoappliedforamail-inballotafterthepollbooks

wereprinted.Thedistrictboardmembershouldupdatethepollbookwith

thisupdatedinformationonelectiondaymorning.Amail-invotercannot

vote in the voting machine.

IFTHEVOTERSTATESTHATHEORSHEDIDNOTAPPLYFOR,

RECEIVEORRETURNAMAIL-INBALLOT,THEVOTERISTOBE

GIVENAPROVISIONALBALLOT.

If avoterarrivesatthepollingplacewithhisorhermail-inballot,heorshe

hastwooptions.One,thedistrictboardmembercanadvisethevoterthat

he or she can deliver the mail-in ballot to the Board of Election before the

closeof pollsinordertohavetheballotcounted.Do not, under any

circumstances,accepttheballot.Two,thevotercanvotebyprovisional

ballotatthepollingplace.If thevoterchoosestovotebyprovisionalballot

atthepollingplace,heorshemustbetoldnot to deliver the mail-in ballot

to the Board of Election.

Signature Required If thevoter’ssamplescannedsignatureismissingfromthepollbook,

“SignatureRequired”willbemarkedinthesignatureblock.Thevoter

whosesignatureismissing cannot vote in the voting machine. The voter

canvoteonlybyprovisionalballot.

21

ID Required If“IDRequired”appearsinthevoter’ssignatureblock,thevotermustpres-

entoneformofcurrentandvalididentification.Asuitableidentifying

document includes, but is not limited to:

avalidNJdriver’slicenseorMVCnon-driver’sIDcard;

anyphotoidentification;

agovernmentdocumentwiththevoter’snameandaddress;

acurrentutilitybill;

taxbill;or

rentreceipt.

Oncethevoterprovidestherequiredidentification,thedistrictboardmember

willcheckthe“Yes”boxonthevoter’spage.Thisindicatesthattheboardmember

hasseenappropriateidentificationforthevoter.Thevoterispermittedtovotein

the voting machine.

If thevotercannotprovideacceptableidentification,thevotercanonlyvoteby

provisionalballot.Thedistrictboardmembershouldcheckthe“NO”boxinthepoll

book,indicatingthatthevoterdidnotprovideappropriateidentification.Thedistrict

boardmemberistoprovidethevoterwiththeprovisionalballotmaterials.Thedis-

trictboardmembermustbefamiliarwiththeproceduresforProvisionalBallotVot-

ingasdescribedonpage45of thisManual.

Affirm Address If“AffirmAddress”appearsinthevoter’ssignaturebox,thevotermust

completethe“Affirmationof ResidencyAffidavit.”Thedistrictboardmember

willreviewtheAffirmationof Residencyanddeterminethevoter’sresidency

statusbasedsolelyoninformationprovidedbythevoter.The voter is not

requiredtopresentanyidentificationorproof of address. The district board

membermaynotaskthevotertopresentanyidentificationorproof of address.

Thisvotercannotbechallengedsolelybecausethereisan“AffirmAddress” in

thesignaturebook.If thevoteraffirmsthatheorshehasnotmovedandre-

sideswithintheelectiondistrict,thevoter votes in the voting machine.


22

DistrictBoard

Worker Training

Manual

Voters Who Have Changed Their Residence

The Voter Has Moved Within the Election District. Ifthevoterindicatesthatheorshehasmoved,butstillresideswithinthe

election district,thedistrictboardmembermustaskthevotertocompletethe

formprovidedwiththeelectionmaterialsandusedbythecountytorecordthe

change of address. The voter votes in the voting machine.

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

Ifthevoterindicatesthatheorshehasmovedtoanotherelectiondistrict

withinthecounty, the district board member should direct the voter to his or

hernewpollingplacewherethevoterwillvoteonlybyprovisionalballot.

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

Ifthevoterindicatesthatheorshehasmovedoutsideofthecountyafterthe

close of registration less than 21 days before the election, and therefore could not

registerinthenewcountyintimetovoteinthiselection,the voter may vote on

the machine.Votermustcompletetheproperform.

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

Ifthevoterindicatesthatheorshemovedoutsidethecountymorethan30

daysbeforetheelection,thevotermaynotvoteinthiscounty.Voterwasre-

quiredtoregistertovoteinthenewcounty.

Voters with Disabilities Thedistrictboardmayencountervoterswithdisabilitiesonelectiondaysince

about20%of NewJerseyanscurrentlyhavesometypeof disabilityordisabling

condition.Forinstance,theremaybevoterswithvisionimpairments,speechorlanguage

impairments,mobilityconcerns,physicalorintellectualdisabilities,mentalillness,orcer-

tainhealthconditions.Therefore,itisimportanttounderstandwhatthelawrequiresfor

voterswithdisabilities.Thefollowingguidelinesshouldbehelpfulinunderstandinghow

tointeractappropriatelywithvoterswithdisabilitiesatyourpollingsite.23

The Right to Vote Bylaw,voterswithdisabilitieshavethesamelegalrighttovoteaseveryone

else regardless of their disability. No one can be denied the right to vote because

of adisability.Infact,thelawinNewJerseystatesthat:

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

hasaspecificdisability(intellectual,developmental,physical,orpsychiatric),

or

has a legal guardian, or

livesinaninstitution,grouphome,supportedapartment,orotherresidential

facilitythatservesindividualswithdisabilities;or

requiresthehelpof anassistancedog

Onlyajudgecandecidethatapersonlacksthementalcapacitytovote.

Again,apersonmustbeassumedtohavethecapacitytovoteunlessajudgerules

otherwise.This determination cannot be made by a district board member, a per-

son’s family member, a person’s personal assistance worker, or other staff.

Avoterwithadisabilitycannotberequiredtoanswerquestionsorfillouta

formto“prove”hisorhermentalcapacity.Avoterwithadisabilitycannotbe

requiredtodoanythingtoprovecapacity.

Voterswithdisabilitieshavethesamerightaseveryoneelsetocasttheir

votes on the machine in the voting booth.

Providing Accommodations or Assistance with Voting Underfederalandstatelaw,voterswithdisabilitieshavetherighttoreceive“rea-

sonableaccommodations”atpollingplaces.Forexample,somevotersmightrequire

extra time, might need a voting machine to be adjusted, or might need assistance in

thevotingbooth.Districtboardmembersmustknowhowtoadjustthemachinesif

necessary,mustknowwheretheaccessibleentrancesare,mustknowwhataccommo-

dationsareavailableandmustbehelpfultoanyvoterswhoneedassistance.

Votersshouldnotbeaskedfor“proof”oftheirdisabilityinorderto

receive accommodations.

Someexamplesof otheraccommodationsthatvotersmightrequireare:

Accessibleentryways,votingbooths,andvotingmachines


24

DistrictBoard

Worker Training

Manual

Allowingavoterextratime

Large-printballotoramagnifyingdevicetoreadtheballot

Providingachairforavoterwhomightneedtositdownwhilewaiting

Showingavoterhowtousethemachines

Speakingmoreslowly

If avotercannotspeakorreadEnglishandtherearenotbilingualboard

members the voter can get the assistance of some one of their choosing.

If thereisnoonethecountyboardof electionshouldbecontacted.

Interacting with Voters with Disabilities Aboveallelse,voterswithdisabilitiesshouldbetreatedwiththesamerespect

andcourtesyasothervotersatthepollingplace.Inaddition,herearesomeuseful

tipsaboutdisabilityetiquettetohelpyouinteractappropriatelywithvoterswith

disabilities:

Kindlyspeaktothevoterdirectly,nottoacompanion,personalassistant

or staff member.

Donotassumethatsomeonewithadisabilityneedshelp.Youshould

askbeforehelping.

Pleaseaskbeforepushingsomeoneinawheelchair.

Aperson’swheelchair,scooter,orotherassistivedeviceisconsideredtobean

extensionof theperson’spersonalspace.Don’tleanonortouchthese

deviceswithoutsomeone’sexpresspermission.

If youareassistingsomeonewhohasavisualimpairmentbyreading

something aloud for them, you do not need to raise your voice.

Speakslowlyanddirectlytoapersonwhoishardof hearing.

Rememberthatanimalsthatassistpeoplewithdisabilitiesmustbeallowedto

accompanythepersonintothebuildingandintothebooth.Youshouldnot

petortouchtheseanimals.

Whengreetingsomeonewhohasavisualimpairment,letthemknowwhoand

whereyouare.If youprovideassistancetotheminwalking,allowthepersonto

25

takeyourarm(donotgrabtheperson’sarm)andtellthemwhenyouare

approachingstairs,whenyouareabouttoturnleftorright,andwarnthemif

thereareanyobstaclesintheway.

Remembertoaffordvoterswithdisabilitiesthesameprivacyas

other voters.

If youbelievesomeoneishavingtroubleunderstandingyou,speakslowly

andclearly.Trysimplifyingwhatitisyouaresaying.

If youassistthevoterinthevotingmachine,rememberyoucannot

disclosehowheorshevotedtoanyone.

Special Rules for Processing Voters Who Need Assistance Federalandstatelawsprovidethatvoterswhoareblind,disabledorwho

cannotreadorwriteEnglishareentitledtoassistanceinvoting.Whenavoter

requestsassistanceorindicatesthatheorsheisunabletoreadorwriteEnglish,

theboardmembermustprovidethevoterwitha“DisabilityCertificatefor

Assistance”form,whichisincludedamongyourelectionsupplies.Thevoter

must declare to the district board members under oath that because of an

inabilitytoreadorwrite,blindnessorotherdisabilitythevoterisunableto

casthisorhervotewithoutassistance.

Oncethevoterhasmadethisdeclarationunderoathheorsheisentitledto

theassistanceof apersonof hisorherownchoosing,withtheexceptionof the

voter’semployer,representativeof theemployer,oranofficeroragentof the

voter’sunion.Thevotermaychoosetheassistanceof thedistrictboard.Inthat

case,twoboardmembersof theoppositepoliticalpartyshouldofferassistance.

Remember,however,thatitisthevoter’schoice.Heorshecanchoosetohave

only one board member assist.

Thememberof thedistrictboardactingasclerkmustmakecompletethe“Dis-

abilityCertificateforAssistance”form.Theinformationincludedontheformmust

statebrieflywhatfactsconcerningthevoter’sdisabilityweresworntoandthename

of theperson(orpersons)whoprovidedassistancetothevoter.Thename and address

of theassistor(s)mustberecordedontheDisabilityCertificateforAssistanceform.

Thepersonorpersonsprovidingassistancetothevoter


26

DistrictBoard

Worker Training

Manual

cannotrevealthenameof anypersonforwhomthevotervoted,oranythingwhich

tookplacewhilethevoterwasbeingassisted.

Districtboardmembersareexpectedtotreatallvoterswithcourtesyand

respectbutareparticularlyremindedthatvoterswithdisabilities,includingthose

voterswithalimitedproficiencyinEnglish,mayrequireadditionaltimeandaboard

worker’scourteousattentioninordertovote.Thepurposeof thefederalandState

voterassistancelawsistoencouragealldisabledvoterstoexercisetheirrighttovote

andtoallowthemtodosoinacomfortableandsecuremanner.Therefore,board

membersshouldextendallpossiblehelptosuchvoters.

Challenges in the Polling Place Anyvotermaybechallengedregardinghisorherrighttovotebyindividuals

knownas“challengers.”Challengersareappointedbyeitheracandidateorgroup

of candidates;municipalorcountychairsof theDemocraticorRepublicanParties;

orbytheproponentsoropponentsof apublicquestion.Inaddition,acandidate

inanyelectionmayactashisorherownchallenger.Achallengerrepresentinga

candidate/partyortheproponents/opponentsof apublicquestion,mustbearegis-

tered voter of the county.

AppointmentpapersforchallengersmustbefiledwiththeCountyBoardof

ElectionbythesecondTuesdaybeforetheelection.TheBoardwillissuethe

challengercredentials,whichincludeacertificateof appointmentandachallenger

badge.Thechallenger’sbadgemustdisplaythepersonorpartyrepresentedbythe

challenger.Challengersmustwearthechallengerbadgeatalltimeswhileinthe

pollingplace.Officialchallengersareauthorizedtoremaininthepollingplacedur-

ingthecourseof theelection,tochallengeavoter’seligibilitytovoteandtoaskall

necessary questions to determine this right.

Whenachallengerentersthepollingplace,thechallengerisrequiredtogivethe

districtboardof electionhisorhercertificateof appointment.Thecertificateof

appointmentindicateswhetherthechallengerhasbeenappointedtoaparticular

electiondistrictorappointedasanat-largechallenger.At-largechallengersare

authorizedtomovefromonepollingplacetoanotherwithinthecounty.There-

fore,whenanat-largechallengerleavesyourpollingplace,thedistrictboardmust27

returnthecertificateof appointmenttothechallenger.

However,unlessinstructedtodosobytheCountyBoardofElection,the

districtboardwillnotreturnthecertificateof appointmenttoanychallengerwho

isassignedspecificallytoitselectiondistrict.Inordertopreventconfusionand

crowdinginthepollingplace,onlyone(1)challengerrepresentinganyof thepar-

tiesdescribedaboveshouldbepermittedinthepollingplaceatanygiventime.

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

appointmentandstatutoryduty.

CHALLENGERSMAYCHALLENGEAVOTERONLYIFTHE CHALLENGERHASREASONTOBELIEVETHAT:

thevoterisunder18yearsof age;

thevoterisnotacitizenof theUnitedStates;

Thevoterisservingasentence,onparoleorprobationafterconviction

of anindictableoffense;

thevoterdoesnotresidewithintheelectiondistrict;or

thevoterhasmovedoutof thecountymorethan30daysbefore

election day.

Challenge Process Achallengermaynotaskanyquestionsdirectlytothevoter. Allquestions

must be directed to the district board members.

ThechallengermustcompleteaChallengerAffidavit inwhichthechallenger

specifieshisorherreason(s)forchallengingthevoter.

Onecopyof theChallenger’sAffidavitisgiventothechallengedvoter.

ThedistrictboardwillretaintheoriginalChallengerAffidavitandreturnit

to the County Board of Election.

WhenthedistrictboardreceivesaChallengerAffidavit,adistrictboard

memberwillreadaloudtothevoterthe“InformationforChallenged

Voter”sheetwhichexplainsthevoter’srights.

Thechallengedvotershouldfilloutandsignthe“ChallengedVoter

Affidavit”andprovideasuitableidentifyingdocumentforinspection.Theac-


28

DistrictBoard

Worker Training

Manual

ceptableidentifyingdocumentsarelistedontheChallengedVoterAffidavit.After

thevotercompletestheAffidavit,thedistrictboardmembersmustreviewthe

Affidavitandtheidentifyingdocumentandthenvoteonwhethertopermit

the voter to vote.

Atleastthreedistrictboardmembersmustvoteagainstthevoterto

upholdthechallengeandpreventthevoterfromvoting.Atievoteof 2-2(or

3-3if therearesixdistrictboardmembers)worksinthevoter’sfavorandthe

voterwillbepermittedtovoteinthevotingmachine. Each and every district

boardmembermustsigntheChallengedVoterAffidavitandprovideacopyto

thechallengerandthevoter.ThedistrictboardwillretaintheoriginalAffida-

vitandreturnittothecountyboardof election.Oncethevoterhasvoted,the

challenge ends.

Upholding the Challenge

Ifthedistrictboardupholdsthechallengeanddeterminesthatthevoter

maynotvote,thedistrictboardmustprovidethevoterwiththeChallenged

VoterInformationsheetandinformthevoterofhisorherrighttoappear

beforeaSuperiorCourtJudgeforareviewofthematter.Ifthevotergoesto

courtandtheJudgedecidesinthevoter’sfavor,theJudgewillissueanOrder

permittingthevotertovoteinthevotingmachine.Thevotershouldsignhis

orhernameontheOrderbeforeleavingthecourtroom.Whenavoter

presentstheOrdertothedistrictboard,thedistrictboardmemberwill

instructthevotertosigntheOrderagaininthepresenceof thedistrict

board.Thedistrictboardmembermustcomparethesignaturesand,if he

orsheissatisfiedthatthesignaturesmatch,theboardmemberwillissue

thevoteraVotingAuthorityslip.THEDISTRICTBOARDMUSTRE-

TAINTHECOURTORDER,PLACEITINTHEPOLLBOOKAND

RETURNITWITHTHEELECTIONSUPPLIESATTHECLOSEOF

POLLS.

29

Challenger Do’s and Don’ts Challengersarenotpermittedtohandleanyelectiondocumentsortosit

atthetablewiththedistrictboardof election.

Achallengermaynotapproachthevotingmachinetoexamineany

counters.

Achallengermay,however,inspectthezero-proof reportattheopening

of thepollsandthevotetotalprintedoutatthecloseof polls.

Alistof thosethingsachallengermayandmaynotdo, “Challengers`Do’s

andDon’ts,”isprovidedintheVoter’sBillof Rightswhichmustbe

prominentlydisplayedinthepollingplace.

Paper Ballots in Polling Places

Voting by Provisional Ballot

Aprovisionalballotisapaperballotthatisgiventoapersoninthe

pollingplaceif thereisanyquestionregardinghisorherrighttovote

whichthedistrictboardcannotresolve.

Voters Who Must Vote by Provisional Ballot Avoterwhosenamedoesnotappearinthepollbookathisorher

pollingplace.

Avoterwhosevoterinformationisdeficient.Anexampleisthevoter

whose samplesignatureismissing.

Avoterwhohasmovedwithin the county and failed to notify the

commissionerofregistrationbeforeelectionday(thatvoterwillnotbein

thepollbook).

Avoterwhofailedtoprovidetherequiredidentification.

Avoterwhosepollbookpageismarked“Mail-In”or“M”butwhostates

thatheorshedidnotapplyfor,receive,orreturnamail-inballot.

Provisionalballotsaresuppliedtoeachdistrictboardof electionina

sealedOrange(orBlue)ballotbag.THEPROVISIONALBALLOT

BAGMUSTREMAINSEALEDUNTILTHEBOARDWORKERIS

REQUIREDTOISSUEAPROVISIONALBALLOT.


30

DistrictBoard

Worker Training

Manual

Whenavotermustvotebyprovisionalballot,adistrictboardmember

shouldlocateandunsealtheorange(orblue)provisionalballotbag.

Theprovisionalballotbagwillusuallycontain25to30ballotsand

envelopeswithdetachableAffirmationStatements,pencils,aninventory

sheetandanumberedplasticseal.Inadditiontothesematerials,thedistrict

boardmembersshouldlocatecopiesof theNoticetoProvisionalBallot

Voter,whichareincludedamongtheelectionsupplies.Afterremovingall

thesupplies,thedistrictboardmustcounttheprovisionalballotsand

envelopesthenrecordthenumberof ballotsontheprovisionalballot

inventorysheet.ThenumberedsealshouldbeplacedintheKeyEnvelope.

Beforehandingtheprovisionalballotandenvelopetothevoter,the

districtboardmembershouldinstructthevoterhowtofilloutthe

AffirmationStatementwhichisattachedtotheprovisionalballotenvelope.

ThedistrictboardmembermusttellthevoterthattheAffirmationistobe

completedinitsentiretyandthatitisNOTtoberemovedordetached

fromtheenvelope. The district board member is to instruct the voter to

placethevotedballotinsidetheprovisionalballotenvelopeandsealthe

envelopebeforereturningittothedistrictboard.

Thevotermustbetoldthatif thevoterspoilsaballotorenvelope,heor

shemayreturnthespoiledballotandreceiveanewballot.If thevoter

returnsaspoiledballot,theboardworkershouldfoldtheballotinhalf,

marktheballot“Spoiled”andplaceitintheprovisionalballotenvelope,

marktheenvelope“Spoiled”andplaceitintheProvisionalBallotbag.

Aftergivingtheseinstructions,thedistrictboardmemberistogivethe

voteraprovisionalballotandenvelopewiththeattachedAffirmationand

directthevotertoasecurityscreenorprivateareatocompletetheballot.

ForaPrimaryElection,theboardmemberwillprovidetheRepublican

voteronecoloredballotandenvelope,andprovidetheDemocratvoter

onedifferentlycoloredballotandoneenvelope. 31

Whenthevoterreturnstheballot,thedistrictboardmember,whoisin

chargeof theprovisionalballotbag,mustreviewtheAffirmationfor

completeness.If itisnotcompleted,thevotermustbetoldtofillinthe

missing information.

Thereafter,thevotercanplacetheballotintheprovisionalballotbagor

handtheballottotheboardmemberforplacementinthebag.

Finally,beforethevoterleavesthepollingplace,thedistrictboardmember

mustprovidethevoterwiththeProvisionalBallotInformationSheetwhich

explainshowthevotercanfindoutwhetherornothisorherballotwas

counted.ThisinformationisalsofoundontheVotersBillof Rightswhich

ispostedprominentlyinthepollingplace.Provisionalballotsaresupplied

toeachdistrictboardof electioninasealedOrange(orBlue)ballotbag.

THEPROVISIONALBALLOTBAGMUSTREMAINSEALEDUNTIL

THEBOARDWORKERISREQUIREDTOISSUEAPROVISIONAL

BALLOT.

ThisinformationisalsofoundontheVotersBillof Rightswhichisposted

prominentlyinthepollingplace.

Voting by Emergency Ballot Emergencyballotsarepaperballotswhichareusedifavotingmachine

becomesinoperable.Inaddition,ifthereisconsiderabledelayinthepolling

placecausedbytheuseofthevotingmachineaudiokit,emergencyballots

should be available for the other voters.

Inelectiondistrictswithtwovotingmachines,emergencyballotsshould

notbeusedunlessbothmachinesareinoperable.Beforeopeningthe

emergencyballotbox,if themachinebecomesinoperable,thedistrictboard

shouldfirstexaminethemachinetodeterminetheproblemandseeif itcan

be corrected by the district board.

Opening Emergency Ballot Box


32

DistrictBoard

Worker Training

Manual

If thedistrictboardcannotcorrecttheproblem,theboardshould

immediatelynotifythecustodianof votingmachines,explaintheproblem,

and receive advice from the custodian and request authorization to use

emergencyballotsuntilthemachineproblemiscorrected.TheSuperinten-

dentortheCountyBoardof Electionwilldispatchatechniciantothepoll-

ingplacetorepairorreplacethevotingmachine.

Inthemeantime,iftheSuperintendentorCountyBoard,asthecasemay

be, has authorized the use of emergency ballots, the district board should

locate the emergency ballot box and attach it to the voting machine. Note:

Thedistrictboardmustcomparethenumbersonthegreensealof the

emergencyballotboxwiththenumbersonthevotingmachinekeyenve-

lope.If theydonotmatch,thedistrictboardmusttelltheSuperintendent

ortheCountyBoardbeforeopeningthebox.

If therearenoproblemswiththesealsand/orpermissionhasbeen

grantedtoopentheemergencyballotbox,thejudgeof thedistrictboard

musttakethesestepsinthefollowingorder:

break the green numbered seal,

opentheemergencyballotbox,

removethecontentscontainingtheemergencyballotsandtheenvelopes

containingthenumberedwhiteandredseals,

removethewhiteandredsealsandcomparethenumbersontheseals

withthoseonthefaceof theenvelope,andnoteontheenvelope

anydiscrepancies,

placetheredsealbackintheenvelopeandreturntheenvelopetothe

ballot box,

showtheemergencyballotboxsothatthosepresentmayseethatthe

boxisnowemptyexceptfortheenvelopecontainingthenumbered

red seal,

placethegreennumberedsealinthekeyenvelope,

closeandre-sealtheemergencyballotboxwiththenumberedwhiteseal

removedfromtheenvelopeinthebox,leavingopentheslotinthelid.

Contents of Emergency Ballot Box33

Theemergencyballotboxshouldcontainatleast30emergencyballots,at

least30plainwhiteenvelopes,andaStatementforEmergencyPaperBallots

Voted.Alsoincludedintheemergencyballotbox,orelsewhereindistrictboard

members’electionsupplies,areaprivacyscreen,aclipboard,andafastenertohold

theenvelopestogether.

Voting By Emergency Ballot Adistrictboardmembershouldarrangetheemergencyballotsona

tablenearthevotingmachine,andkeeptheminclearsightof thedistrict

boardatalltimes.Emergencyballotvotersareprocessedinthesameman-

ner as any voter entitled to vote on the voting machine. Onlyvoterswho

areentitledtovoteonthevotingmachinearepermittedtovotebyemer-

gency ballot.

Afterprocessingthevoterandissuingavotingauthorityslip,thedistrict

boardmembershouldinstructthevotertotakethevotingauthorityslipto

thedistrictboardmemberwhohascustodyof theemergencyballots.The

voterwillhandthevotingauthoritysliptothedistrictboardmemberwho

willhandthevotertheemergencyballotandaplainwhiteenvelope.

Theboardmembermustadvisethevoterthatif thevoterspoilstheballot

thevotershouldfoldandplacethespoiledballotintheplainwhiteenvelopeand

returnittotheboardmemberwhowillprovidethevoterwithasecondballot

andenvelope.Theboardmembershouldinstructthevoterthatwhenthevoter

hasfinishedmakinghisorherselections,thevoteristofoldthevotedballotand

placeitintheplainwhiteenvelopeandreturnittotheboardmember.Finally,the

boardmembershoulddirectthevotertoadesignatedprivatevotingareaorsecurity

screen.

NOTE:ITISAGAINSTTHELAWTOALLOWTHEBALLOTTOBE

VOTEDOUTSIDETHEPOLLINGBOOTHORSCREENAREA.DO

NOTGIVETHEVOTERABALLOTUNTILTHEPOLLINGBOOTHOR

PRIVACYAREAISREADYFORTHEVOTER.


34

DistrictBoard

Worker Training

Manual

When the voter returns the voted ballot to the board member, the voter

mayplacetheballotintotheballotboxormayhandtheballottotheboard

membertodeposittheballotintheemergencyballotbox.

NOTE:ALLBALLOTSMUSTBEINSERTEDINTOTHEPLAIN

WHITEENVELOPEBEFORETHEYAREHANDEDTOTHE

DISTRICTBOARDMEMBER.

Resume Voting on the Voting Machine Whenthevotingmachinehasbeenrepairedorreplaced,thedistrictboard

mustresumevotingonthemachine.Inthemeantime,thedistrictboardmust

securealltheunvotedemergencyballotsandplainwhiteenvelopeswiththeir

electionsupplies.Adistrictboardmembermustrecordonthe“Statementfor

EmergencyPaperBallotsVoted”thevotingauthoritynumberof thelastvoterto

useanemergencyballot.If avotingmachinefailstooperateonmultiple

occasions during any single election, a “Statement for Emergency

PaperBallotsVoted”mustbecompletedoneachoccasion.

REMEMBER: THEEMERGENCYBALLOTBOX,SECUREDWITH

THEWHITENUMBEREDSEAL,MUSTREMAININFULLVIEWOF

THEDISTRICTBOARDMEMBERSDURINGTHEHOURSOFTHE

ELECTION.WHENEMERGENCYBALLOTSAREUSED,ATTHE

CLOSEOFTHEPOLLS,THEWHITESEALWILLBEREPLACEDBY

THEREDSEAL.(SEECLOSINGTHEPOLLS).

V. Closing the Polls Announcing the Close of Polls

Closing time At8:00p.m.,thejudgepublicallyannouncesthepollsareofficiallyclosed.

(Inschoolboardelections,thepollsofficiallycloseat9:00p.m.)Thesameclock

usedtoopenthepollsshouldbeusedtoclosethepolls.Theoutsideentranceto

thepollingplaceshouldbeclosedatthistime. AbsentanOrderfromaJudgeof

theSuperiorCourt,thepollsMUSTcloseattheappointedtime.35

Voters Who Are On Line to Vote at Closing Time Anyvotersonlinetovoteatthecloseofpollsmustbeallowedtovote.The

districtboardmemberscannottakeanystepstoclosethebooksorthevoting

machineuntilallvoterspresenthavebeenprocessed.Adistrictboardmember

shouldbepositionedattheendof thelineindicatingwhichvoterswereinlineat

thetimethatthepollsofficiallyclosed.

Post-voting Procedures in the Polling Place Challengers,candidates,andmembersof themediaaswellasthegeneral

publicmaybepresentatthistime,aslongastheydonotinterferewiththe

closingprocedures.

Closing the Voting Machines Theinstructionsforclosingthevotingmachineswillbeprovidedbythe

County Board of Election.

Printing Reports Electiontapesforalldistrictsmustbeprinted.Theopeningelectionzero

-proof tapeandtheclosingelectionresultstapes,cartridgesandkeysmustbe

inventoriedandreturnedinthepropersupplybags.

Provisional Ballots InventoryofProvisionalBallots.Atthecloseofthepolls,thedistrictboardsmust

inventorytheprovisionalballots.Thenumberof“invalid”ballots(placedinenvelopes

marked“SPOILED”),usedprovisionalballots,unusedprovisionalballots,andmissing

provisionalballotsmustberecordedontheinventoryformprovidedwiththe

provisionalballotbag.

SigningofProvisionalBallotInventoryForms.Thedistrictboardmembers

mustsigntheinventoryformwhenitiscompleted.Ifadistrictboardmember

dissents from the inventory, he or she shall state the reason and sign the form.

SealingtheProvisionalBallotBag.Afterplacingalltheprovisionalballotsand

envelopesinthebag,thedistrictboardmembersmustsealthebagwiththe

numberedsealprovidedinthebag.

V. Closing the Polls

36

DistrictBoard

Worker Training

Manual

Canvassing and Tallying the Emergency Ballots Afterthepollsclose,andthemachinetotalshavebeenrecorded,thedistrict

boardmustcountemergencyballots,if theywereused.

Counting Rules

Therequirementsforcountingapaperballotapply.Eachvotemust

havetheappropriatemarkplacedintheproperplaceontheballottobecount-

ed.Aninvalidvoteinoneplacedoesnotnecessarilyinvalidatetheentireballot.

However,anyunauthorizedballotmarkingswhichthedistrictboard

determineswereintendedtoidentifyordistinguishtheballotwillresultin

therejectionof theentireballot(thatiscalleda“marked”ballot).

Amisspelledwrite-invotedoesnotnecessarilyinvalidatethevote.Any

ballotthatthedistrictboarddeterminestobevoidmustbeidentifiedassuchon

theenvelopeinwhichitwasenclosed.

Procedure

First,aboardmemberistoremovethewhitesealfromtheemergency

ballotboxandopenstheballotboxinfullviewof thepublic.Second,the

judgewillremovetheballotsoneatatimeandreadthevotescast.The

judgewilldothisinviewof theinspectorwhowilllookattheballotto

makesurethatitwasread

correctlyandrecordthevote(s)ontheEmergencyBallotTallySheet.

Envelopesmarked“VOID”or“SPOILED”shallbesetaside.Thedistrict

boardclerkwilltallytheresultsof theemergencyballotsastheyarereadby

the judge.

Beforeremovingthenextballotfromtheballotbox,thejudgeshallreplace

theballotpreviouslyreadbackintoitsplainwhiteenvelopeandhandittothe

inspector.Eachenvelopeshallbenumberedconsecutively(i.e.,1,2,3,etc.)and

strung together in numerical order.

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

ballotsonthetallysheet.ALL boardmembersmustsignthecompleted

tallysheet.Aftercounting,onecopyofthetallysheetisplacedintheemer-37

V. Closing the Polls

gencyballotbox.Thesecondcopyofthetallysheetisplacedinthesupplybag

inconjunctionwiththeothermachineresultsandreturnedinthesupplybagto

thecountyelectionoffice.Thedistrictboardistoaddtheemergencyballot

resultstothevotingmachinetotalsintheproperplaceonthereturnsheet.

Afterallthevotedemergencyballotsarecounted,tallied,andstrung

together in numerical order, the district board must stringalltheplainwhite

envelopesmarked“VOID”or“SPOILED”attheendof thesamestring.The

districtboardmembersthenplacethetallysheetandALL emergencypaperbal-

lots—voted,unvoted,void,andspoiled--intotheemergencyballotbox.

Finally,thedistrictboardmembersshallimmediatelysecuretheballotboxwith

the red numbered seal.

Publish the Results of the Election Adistrictboardmembershallannouncethefinalresultsof theelection,post

theresultsonthewallof thepollingplace,orprovidecopiesof theresultsas

directed by the County Board of Election.

Collecting of all Election Materials and Supplies ThedistrictboardmembersshouldlowertheAmericanflag;takedownall

signs;collectinformationalmaterials;pollbooks;votingauthorityslips;court

orders;posters;andgatheranyothersupplies.Thismaterialmustbesecuredfor

return delivery.

Return of Materials Thecountiesusevariousproceduresforthereturnofelectionmaterials. Your

CountyBoardof Electionwillprovidetheinstructionsforthereturnof yourelec-

tion materials. District board members must notre-packpollbooksinthemachines

attheendof thedayevenif thatishowtheyweredelivered

becausetheywillbesubjecttothe15dayperiodof impoundmentafterthe

election. Itisof theUTMOSTimportancethatasecurechainof custodyis

maintained--allitemspertainingtoelectionresultsshouldbeinventoriedandsigned

for at each exchange. 38

DistrictBoard

Worker Training

Manual

Pay Voucher - Last But Not Least Alldistrictboardmembersmustcompletethepayrollsheetandsignthepay

voucher.Thecompletedpayrollsheetshouldbepackedwiththesuppliestoassure

paymenttothedistrictboardmembers. Each district board member must sign the

39

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