County Clerk: Pollwatchers

THE POLLWATCHER'S ROLE

A pollwatcher may observe all proceedings relating to the conduct of an election. Pollwatchers should establish a cooperative relationship with the election judges. A pollwatcher may challenge a person's right to vote by stating a specific reason. (See Challenging A Right To Vote below.)

BEFORE THE POLLS OPEN

The pollwatcher may: observe set-up procedures and view that the ballot box is empty; and observe election judges as they certify the voting machines.

WHILE THE POLLS ARE OPEN

The pollwatcher may: visually examine the voter's application for ballot to compare the preprinted signature with the voter's signature and observe the election judge initialing the ballot. Accompany the election judges to observe curbside assistance, if it is required by a voter. The pollwatcher may not: touch any supplies or materials, or be so close to the judges that he interferes with the orderly conduct of the election.

AFTER THE POLLS CLOSE

A pollwatcher present when the polls close may: observe the counting and tallying procedures until all procedures are completed. The pollwatcher may not: leave and re-enter the polling place.

ABSENTEE VOTING

Pollwatchers with valid credentials may: observe absentee voting in nursing homes and in-person absentee voting in the offices of the County Clerk and municipal and township clerks.

THE ELECTION JUDGES' ROLE

Election Judges have legal authority to conduct the election in the polling place. Election Judges, by majority decision, have the sole power to: allow or disallow a challenge to a voter; remove unauthorized pollwatchers; remove a pollwatcher deemed to be a disruption to the election process; and limit the number of pollwatchers in the polling place. Exception: each candidate and each established or new political party shall be permitted to have at least one pollwatcher present.

APPOINTMENT OF POLLWATCHERS

Candidates, political parties, civic organizations, and organized proponents and opponents of a ballot proposition may appoint pollwatchers.

NUMBER OF POLLWATCHERS ALLOWED IN PRECINCT AT A GIVEN TIME
APPOINTING AUTHORITY	Cons. Primary/ General Primary	Cons. Election/ General Election
CANDIDATE	Two*	Two*
POLITICAL PARTY	One	Two*
QUALIFIED CIVIC ORGANIZATION	One	One
PROPONENTS AND OPPONENTS OF A BALLOT PROPOSITION	One	One

 

*If two pollwatchers are present in the precinct at the same time, one must be a registered voter in that specific precinct.

POLLWATCHER CREDENTIALS

The pollwatcher must be registered to vote in Peoria County and must possess valid credentials. He must surrender his credentials to the election judges and sign the Pollwatchers Register when he enters the polling place. All credentials remain in the possession of the election judges and are returned to the County Clerk's office after the polls close.

VALID POLLWATCHER CREDENTIALS

To be valid, pollwatcher credentials must contain the following: the signature of the Peoria County Clerk; the signature of the state or local party chairman, presiding officer of the civic organization, chairman of the opponent or proponent proposition group, or candidate being represented; and the signature, precinct and address of the pollwatcher and statement that the pollwatcher is, in fact, registered to vote from that address.

CANDIDATE CREDENTIALS

A candidate must have valid pollwatcher credentials in order to remain in the polling place. A candidate has the same rights and limitations as other pollwatchers.

ELECTION OR POLITICAL PARTY OFFICIALS

Precinct committeemen are political party officials. They must have valid pollwatcher credentials to remain in the polling place. Local election officials, such as municipal clerks or school board secretaries, must have valid pollwatcher credentials to remain in the polling place.

CHALLENGING A RIGHT TO VOTE

An election judge, pollwatcher or voter may challenge a person's right to vote. A specific reason for the challenge must be stated. Some reasons include: the voter no longer resides at the address at which he is registered; the person attempting to vote is not the same person registered; or the person attempting to vote has already voted.

ABSENTEE BALLOTS MAY BE CHALLENGED

Some reasons include: application is incomplete; certificate on the ballot envelope is incomplete; the voter already voted in person; the ballot envelope was opened and resealed; or the signatures do not correspond.

WRITE-IN VOTES MAY BE CHALLENGED

A valid write-in vote must include: the title of the office written in a manner distinguishable from other offices on the ballot; the name of the write-in candidate; a square to the left of the candidate's name marked with two lines that cross within the square; the Election Judge's initials on the ballot; and no identifying marks on the ballot.

WHAT TO DO IF AN ERROR OCCURS

If an error or violation of the laws occurs, the pollwatcher should call it to the attention of the election judges. If the error or violation is not corrected, he should call the County Clerk's office at 309-672-6070. Under no circumstances should the pollwatcher argue with the decision of the election judges.