Poll Observer Training

General 2022
What is a Poll
Observer?
 Today’s Learning

● Poll Observer Basics

● What to Expect on Election Day
● PA Election Law 101
● Get to know LBJ (Voter Protection Communication Tool)
● Preparing for Election Day
● Q&A
PREPARING FOR ELECTION DAY

Resources

Before Election Day, you will receive:

Poll Observer Manual & Materials Boiler Room Contact Info

Poll Observer Credentials

Voter Protection Lanyard
(Inside Only)
WE’RE HERE FOR YOU!

Questions

● Join us for Office Hours - Mondays at 7pm

● Email us at voterprotection@padems.com

● Call us at (215) 821-7415

 POLL OBSERVER BASICS
● Poll Observer Basics
● What to Expect on Election Day
● PA Election Law 101
● Get to know LBJ (Voter Protection Communication Tool)
● Preparing for Election Day
POLL OBSERVER BASICS

Definitions

● Poll Watcher

● Poll Workers

● LBJ

● Boiler Room
POLL OBSERVER BASICS
Poll Observers: Inside vs. Outside

Inside Poll Observer Outside Poll Observer

● Must be registered to vote in county ● Does not need to be registered to vote

where polling place is located
● Must have credential issued by the
county
● Allowed to be physically present in the
room where voting occurs
in county where polling place is located
● Does not need to have credential issued
by the county
● Not allowed within 10 feet of the polling
place
POLL OBSERVER BASICS

Poll Observer’s Role

Solve Report Escalate

Problems for What You Urgent
Voters See Matters
POLL OBSERVER BASICS

Solving Problems

● Be solution-oriented
● Work with Judge of Elections / Poll Workers to Resolve Issues
○ Politely raise issues to or review the law with the Judge of Elections to ensure
situations are addressed correctly and promptly.
● Assume best intentions
● Answer Voters’ Questions
POLL OBSERVER BASICS

When to Call vs. When to report in LBJ

If any of the following occur, contact the Boiler Room immediately by phone:

● Polls do not open on time

● Run out of ballots
● Repeated voter challenges, harassment, or intimidation
● Law enforcement presence
● At poll closing, voters in line are not permitted to vote
● A voting machine breaks
● Anything that can’t wait for the LBJ process
● LBJ goes down

For all other matters, you should report in LBJ as promptly as you can.
 Next Up:

WHAT TO EXPECT ON ELECTION DAY

● Poll Observer Basics
● What to Expect on Election Day
● PA Election Law 101
● Get to know LBJ (Voter Protection Communication Tool)
● Preparing for Election Day
WHAT TO EXPECT ON ELECTION DAY

You are not alone!

For most incidents, you can For urgent matters, you can
communicate with the Boiler call the Boiler Room
Room via LBJ
WHO TO EXPECT ON ELECTION DAY

Who to Expect on Election Day

● Voters
● Poll Workers
○ Judge of Elections
○ Majority & Minority Inspectors
○ Machine Operator
○ Clerk
● Others
○ Republicans
○ Non-profits
○ Constable (distinct from police officers)
WHAT TO EXPECT ON ELECTION DAY
6:30 AM Morning shift workers: Arrive at your assigned polling location.
Check in on LBJ.
7:00 AM Polls open.
7:00 AM - 9:30 AM Heavy turn out period. Avoid leaving your post.
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM Heavy turn out period. Avoid leaving your post.
1:30 PM Morning shift workers: end of shift.
Afternoon shift workers: start of shift (please arrive 15
minutes early).

5:00 PM - 8:00 PM Heavy turn out period. Avoid leaving your post.
8:00 PM Polls close. Make sure everyone in line at 8:00 PM get to vote.

After 8:00 PM Ballot counting, machine sealing, results posted.

Report vote tally via LBJ.
WHAT TO EXPECT ON ELECTION DAY
6:30 AM Morning shift workers: Arrive at your assigned polling location.
Check in on LBJ.
7:00 AM Polls open.
7:00 AM - 9:30 AM Heavy turn out period. Avoid leaving your post.
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM Heavy turn out period. Avoid leaving your post.
1:30 PM Morning shift workers: end of shift.
Afternoon shift workers: start of shift (please arrive 15
minutes early).

5:00 PM - 8:00 PM Heavy turn out period. Avoid leaving your post.
8:00 PM Polls close. Make sure everyone in line at 8:00 PM get to vote.

After 8:00 PM Ballot counting, machine sealing, results posted.

Report vote tally via LBJ.
WHAT TO EXPECT ON ELECTION DAY
6:30 AM Morning shift workers: Arrive at your assigned polling location.
Check in on LBJ.
7:00 AM Polls open.
7:00 AM - 9:30 AM Heavy turn out period. Avoid leaving your post.
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM Heavy turn out period. Avoid leaving your post.
1:30 PM Morning shift workers: end of shift.
Afternoon shift workers: start of shift (please arrive 15
minutes early).

5:00 PM - 8:00 PM Heavy turn out period. Avoid leaving your post.
8:00 PM Polls close. Make sure everyone in line at 8:00 PM get to vote.

After 8:00 PM Ballot counting, machine sealing, results posted.

Report vote tally via LBJ.
WHAT TO EXPECT ON ELECTION DAY

Election Day Do’s

● Be polite and helpful

● Introduce yourself to elections officials / poll workers and seek to build a working
professional relationship with them throughout the day
● Work to resolve conflicts, not to create them
● Get contact information of affected voters
● Take photos to get evidence of non-human misinformation or intimidation (e.g.,
graffiti with an intimidating message, sign that contains incorrect information about
voting).
● Be safe
WHAT TO EXPECT ON ELECTION DAY

Election Day Don’ts

● Do not speak with voters inside the polling place in a manner that disrupts
voting
● Do not go within 6 feet of where voting occurs (inside observer), unless you have
permission of the Judge of Elections
● Do not challenge any voter
● Do not get confrontational with anyone
● Do not take photos of voters without direction from the Boiler Room
● Do not take photos of ballot or otherwise take photos that could compromise the
secrecy of a voter’s choices
● Do not ask that any voter be removed from a polling place for wearing campaign gear
● Do not speak to the press
 Next Up:

PA ELECTION LAW 101

● Poll Observer Basics
● What to Expect on Election Day
● PA Election Law 101
● Get to know LBJ (Voter Protection Communication Tool)
● Preparing for Election Day
PA ELECTION LAW 101

Common Issues

● Inside Observers
○ Provisional Ballots
○ Mail-in and Absentee Ballots
○ Eligibility and Identification
○ Voter Relocation
○ Accessibility & Language Barriers
○ Voter Challenges
● Outside
○ Voter Intimidation
○ Electioneering
PA ELECTION LAW 101

Provisional Ballots

● Option when all else fails

● Not preferred, but better than nothing
● Any voter who says that they are registered to vote at that polling location cannot be
turned away. At the very least, they have the right to cast a provisional ballot
● Common situations:
○ Voter applied for mail-in ballot, but never received it
○ Voter believes they are registered to vote, but their name is not in the register
○ First-time voter with no ID
PA ELECTION LAW 101

Provisional Ballots

What to watch for:

● Lots of voters required to cast provisional ballots

● Voters turned away, not allowed to cast provisional ballots
PA ELECTION LAW 101
Mail-in and Absentee Ballots

Did the voter request This voter can vote a

an absentee or mail-in No regular ballot at their
ballot? polling place

Yes

Does the voter have This voter can vote a

the absentee or No provisional ballot at
mail-in ballot? their polling place

Yes

This voter can vote a regular

ballot at their polling place if they
surrender the ballot and sign an
affidavit
PA ELECTION LAW 101

Eligibility and Identification

● No same-day registration in PA. Deadline to Register is October 24, 2022

● ID is only required when voting for the first time at polling location
○ Either first time voting ever, or just first time at this location

Approved forms of photo ID Approved forms of non-photo ID

● Pennsylvania driver’s license or (must have voter’s name and address)
PennDOT ID card ● Voter Registration Card
● ID issued by any PA or U.S. agency ● Non-photo ID issued by PA or U.S.
● U.S. passport Government
● U.S. Armed Forces ID ● Current utility bill
● Student ID ● Current bank statement
● Employee ID ● Current paycheck
● Government check
● Firearm permit
PA ELECTION LAW 101

Voter Relocation

● Common Situations
○ Voter has moved within precinct (election district)
■ Must be allowed to cast regular ballot
■ Must complete change of address form
○ Voter has moved within PA, but to a new precinct
■ Old Polling Place:
● Must be allowed to cast regular ballot
● Must complete change of address form
■ New Polling Place:
● Must be allowed to cast provisional ballot
○ Voter has moved to a new state
■ May not vote in PA
PA ELECTION LAW 101

Accessibility & Language Barriers

● Certain voters may receive assistance completing their ballot, for example:
○ Disabled, blind, illiterate
○ Unable to “read or write English sufficiently well to participate in the electoral
process”
● A voter requiring assistance may choose anyone to assist them, except:
○ Judge of Election
○ Voter’s employer
○ Representative from voter’s union
● You should refrain from assisting voters complete their ballots
PA ELECTION LAW 101

Voter Challenges

● A voter’s right to vote may be challenged for only two reasons:

○ Challenger claims voter is not who they say they are
○ Challenger claims voter does not reside in the precinct (election district)
● If a voter is challenged, they can either
○ Have another registered voter from the precinct verify the voter’s qualifications
by signing an affidavit, or
○ Cast a provisional ballot
● Any voter, election officer, overseer, or watcher can challenge any voter
PA ELECTION LAW 101

Voter Challenges

What should you do?

● Politely review the law with the Judge of Elections

● Remain calm
● Ensure that, at the very least, the voter should be able to cast a provisional ballot
● Report in LBJ

What should you not do?

● Challenge any voter

● Shout, yell, or get angry
PA ELECTION LAW 101

Voter Intimidation

● Voter Intimidation is illegal

○ ANY activity that threatens, harasses or intimidates voters
○ ANY activity that is intended to, or has the effect of, interfering with any voter’s
right to vote
● Does not matter where it occurs
● What to watch out for:
○ Unofficial “check-in tables”
○ Individuals who are armed
○ False or misleading election information
○ Voters treated differently by election workers
○ Photographing or recording voters without their permission
○ Law enforcement presence (constables are okay)
PA ELECTION LAW 101

Voter Intimidation

Your Safety is Our Priority

● If you ever feel unsafe, you are welcome to leave your post and let us know.
● Do not confront anyone.
● Report voter intimidation to the Boiler Room.
● Report Law Enforcement presence at polling place
● Pennsylvania is an open-carry state. If you see anyone with a gun, do not engage with
them. Report what you see to the Boiler Room, and if you feel unsafe, leave.
● In an emergency, call 911.
PA ELECTION LAW 101

Electioneering

● A.k.a. “campaigning” - attempting to influence voters, distributing literature

● No Electioneering within 10 feet of the polling place
○ Outside Poll Observers must stay outside of the 10 foot zone
● Voters may wear campaign material inside the polling place if they are not actively
campaigning
 Next Up:

GET TO KNOW LBJ

VOTER PROTECTION COMMUNICATION TOOL
● Poll Observer Basics
● What to Expect on Election Day
● PA Election Law 101
● Get to know LBJ (Voter Protection Communication Tool)
● Preparing for Election Day
 You will receive
login capability
after you complete
lbj.voting this training.
 Signing In

1. Visit lbj.voting and enter email you

provided to us to receive login link.

2. Log in to confirm your cell phone and

email

3. Ensure that you will have access to the

email and cell phone you enter during
your Election Day shift.
 Your Assignment

Email View LBJ View

You will receive

an email with
your assignment

You can also see your

assignment in LBJ
under “More.”

Then select the dates

of your shift to see
the shift location
 Checking In

Don’t forget to check in on LBJ when you arrive!

Submit the current wait time when you arrive

and periodically throughout your shift -
especially if voters are waiting more than 20
minutes.

Click “Update” to submit your check-in.

 Your Assignment

1. Click “New Issue”

2. Enter name and

contact info
accurately if a
specific voter is
involved.

TIP: Some issues may not have

a specific voter involved
Enter Issue Type

Select an Issue Type:

● Question: When a voter needs

information. This is usually (but not
always) resolved immediately.

● Incident: When there is a problem with

voting. We attempt to resolve
immediately, but often they require
follow-up.
Category & Subcategory

1. Select the Category & Subcategory that

best describes the issue.

2. If multiple options could fit, pick the option

that is the narrowest and most specific
match.

3. Familiarize yourself with the list of options

ahead of your shift so that you can quickly
make your selections.
 Notes & Details

Use the “Notes & Details” section to record as much relevant

information as accurately, clearly, and thoroughly as possible

● Who, what, where, when?

● How long has the problem been going on?
● What was the voter told?
● How is this issue impacting the voting process?
● Does the staff have a plan to solve the issue?
● Include details of your observations and conversations
Voter Impact

● Provide information regarding whether

the voter was able to cast a regular or
provisional ballot.
● Select how many voters are affected -
this information is crucial to our
response.
Enter Final Details and Submit

If getting voter info, get their

email if possible and their
registered address.

If relevant, include a
photo (NOT of a voter At the top of the screen,
voting) submit your report by
clicking either:

● Submit for Follow Up

● Submit as Resolved
Watch for Updates!

● If the PA Voter Protection Team adds a

comment to a report you made in LBJ,
you will receive an email notification.

● We may also call or text you. Watch for

updates!
 Next Up:

PREPARING FOR ELECTION DAY

● Poll Observer Basics
● What to Expect on Election Day
● PA Election Law 101
● Get to know LBJ (Voter Protection Communication Tool)
● Preparing for Election Day
PREPARING FOR ELECTION DAY

Before Election Day

● Make YOUR plan to vote early

● Gather your materials
● Review your resources
● Verify your LBJ account
PREPARING FOR ELECTION DAY

Resources

Before Election Day, you will receive:

Poll Observer Manual & Materials Boiler Room Contact Info

Poll Observer Credentials

Voter Protection Lanyard
(Inside Only)
 What to Bring

❏ Smartphone ❏ Mask

❏ Smartphone charger ❏ Pens and notepad

❏ Poll Observer Manual, ❏ Food/drink/money/

for reference medication

❏ Poll Observer ❏ Chair (if desired)

Credentials ❏ Outdoor gear

❏ Voter Protection
Lanyard
 What to Wear

● Professional but Comfortable

● Comfortable shoes
● No campaign buttons, sticker, pins, t-shirts, or
hats!
 COVID is still a thing!
(unfortunately)

If you feel sick, please stay home!

If you need to cancel your shift,

select “Cancel RSVP” in your shift
confirmation email
Next Steps
 Commit for a Election
Day Shift Now!

1) Complete Poll Observer Commitment Form (see chat!)

2) Save the Date for Election Day!

3) Keep an eye out for emails about credentials and assignments

QUESTIONS?
Email:

voterprotection@padems.com

Voter Protection Office Hours

Mondays at 7pm

https://www.mobilize.us/pavotepro/event/476554/
You make it
possible for every
vote to count.