Every American has the right to safe and fair elections, and thanks to thousands of workers and volunteers throughout the commonwealth every year, Pennsylvanians can vote easily, safely, and with the support they need.
Are you passionate about maintaining the integrity of American elections? Consider becoming a poll watcher!
Poll watchers are volunteers who observe the voting process, but aren’t involved in it like poll workers. Poll watchers are unpaid volunteers, authorized to watch vote counting and practices by political parties or candidates, and help keep our elections free and fair.
Looking to get started? Here’s your guide to becoming a poll watcher in Pennsylvania.
Requirements
Before starting your first shift as a poll watcher, you must first meet the following requirements:
- Be registered to vote in the county where you want to volunteer. If you aren’t registered to vote, use Keystone’s voter registration tool found here!
- You must be appointed by a political party or candidate.
- Find your local ballot information and reach out to parties or candidates for interest in signing you on as a volunteer.
- Be certified by the county’s board of elections before volunteering.
Once you have the certification, the party or candidate will assign you to a polling place.
Do’s and don’ts
So, you’ve gotten permission to volunteer, and you have your assigned polling location–now what?
Well, you’re now ready to oversee the election process! But there are a few things you should know before you start.
While polls are open, you may observe from outside of the enclosed voting space, without interrupting voters. Poll watchers may also inspect or keep their own numbered list of voters in the polling place while voters are not present or waiting in line.
There are also strict parameters on what a poll watcher can’t do. For example, poll watchers may not campaign for specific candidates, influence, engage with, or intimidate voters, take photographs, or interfere with the election process.
If you find any discrepancies during your shift, like misuse of ballot counters, a voter who doesn’t have the proper paperwork, etc., you may submit a challenge to a voter’s qualifications to the original party or candidate you were appointed by.
If you have any questions or run into trouble voting this election season, you can visit Pennsylvania Fair Elections as a local resource or visit Election Protection for more information and support.
Need further legal support during this election season?
Call 866-OUR-VOTE for English civil rights aid or 888-VE-Y-VOTA for Spanish.
Need more information before casting your next ballot? Use Keystone’s voter registration tool below to check your registration status, find your polling place, and stay updated on future elections, so you and your family never miss the chance to vote.
