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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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
DistrictBoard
Worker Training
Manual
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
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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
Table of Contents
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DistrictBoard
Worker Training
Manual
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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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DistrictBoard
Worker Training
Manual
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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DistrictBoard
Worker Training
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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
II. Preparing for the Election
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DistrictBoard
Worker Training
Manual
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.
II. Preparing for the Election
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DistrictBoard
Worker Training
Manual
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
II. Preparing for the Election
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DistrictBoard
Worker Training
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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.
IV. Processing the Voter
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.
IV. Processing the Voter
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.
IV. Processing the Voter
22
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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
IV. Processing the Voter
24
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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
IV. Processing the Voter
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-
IV. Processing the Voter
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.
IV. Processing the Voter
30
DistrictBoard
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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
IV. Processing the Voter
32
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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.
IV. Processing the Voter
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