Monroe County Poll Worker Training 2016 Primary Election 2016-Primary S Trainer: Sherry Morris Office phone: 812-349-7357 smorris@co.monroe.in.us Key Guidelines Making Elections Successful 1
Poll Atmosphere is Key Bring your smiling, patient & service-oriented selves & have a good day at the poll! Seek a team dedicated to a smooth, free & fair Election Inspector + Judges are the Precinct Election Board consulting together & seamlessly to protect the Election Clerks, Judges, Election Sheriffs & Inspector all work together to help Voter s vote Do not let there be any suggestion of Voter intimidation, trying to influence any Voter, delaying or harassing a any Voter, or turning a Voter away Do not let there be any suggestion of carelessness, mis-handling or tampering with any election procedure or equipment Inspector s attitude will set the tone for the poll Those interacting first with Voters, Clerks & Sheriffs, will set the tone for the Voter Work as bi-partisan teams of Democratic & Republican workers when handling ballots, assisting Voters and managing equipment Voter Needs Poll workers paying attention to their needs - not poll workers who are tired or complaining (you may need a break or a private conversation with a supervisor) A neutral environment nothing political, nothing and no one trying to influence their vote Privacy protect personal info Minimal distractions - limit laughter, loud chatting or noisy activity Minimal wait-time - Greet quickly; Resolve issues efficiently so Voter can vote Their vote to count! (so we do our best with paperwork and procedures to help make this happen) Page 3 New Hours!! Mon Fri: 8:00 a.m. open, 6:00 p.m. close Saturday: 9:00 a.m. open, 6:00 p.m. close Sunday: 12:00 p.m. open, 6:00 p.m. close Page 3 2
Please Read Poll Worker Information & Instructions Know about Watchers, Poll Book Holders & Challengers Page 5 Oath 6-7 Watchers, Poll Book Holders & Challengers (what they can and cannot do) 9 Requirements before Election Day & on Election Day 10-11 Poll Worker Guidelines e.g. What to bring, what not to bring, etc. 12-13 Working with Voters 14-15 Top 10 Mistakes of Poll Workers 16-17 Detailed duties of each poll worker Be Professional & Ready to Serve Voters Bring: Your smiling, patient, cooperative self Your eye glasses & anything else you need Wear comfortable shoes & plan for slightly warm or slight cool room No political clothing think business casual For quieter time: non-political reading material or puzzles (no newspapers or no crafts at station) Cell phone/tablet: Allowed, on silent (no tones); off to the side; no earphones; no email/games if Voter is in poll Food @ Station: spill-proof beverages & only discrete snacks Voter Comments: No talk of candidates, political issues, parties, elections, ballots, etc. If a Voter has a question about election procedures, get a Supervisor (Inspector or a Judge) to answer Poll Layout Inspector will define 3
Election Sheriffs & Clerks Election Sheriffs Alert for Issues Help set up & tear down poll Ensure poll set-up is maintained & political literature or clothing are out of site in the poll Alert Supervisors for potentially disruptive or escalating situations Alert Supervisors if a credentialed visitor is in the poll Be aware of where Voters & visitors are they are NOT allowed to wander the facility Be present & able to help Inspector & Judges to protect the election Be prepared to help manage emergencies - Sheriffs can leave the poll if needed Be watchful for Voters, poll workers, candidates, or anyone needing help (e.g. with doors, a chair to sit & rest, wheelchair assistance, etc.) Listen carefully to Voters to understand their needs; direct them to an Inspector, Judge or Station #1 to get answers to their questions Direct Voters to Station #1 to check-in to vote Clerks Check in Voters & Issue Ballots Help set up & tear down poll Ensure political literature or clothing are out of sight Listen carefully to Voters to understand needs As a bi-partisan team, review Voter Identification In epollbook at a bi-partisan team check in Voter: Find Voter (check birthday to confirm) Identify any issues needing addressed (e.g. colored boxes) Check whether or not registration address is still current Get signature Recommend either a Standard ballot or Provisional ballot Issue paper ballot (initials = ballot is proper precinct & party) Alert Supervisor if address or name is out of date Protect unvoted paper ballots When directed by Supervisor: Issue replacement ballots for spoiled ballots 4
Judges 2 or 4 Judges at polls for this election Election Central, Voter Reg & Technology Teams Judges - work w/ Inspector to ensure successful election Inspector + Judges = the Precinct Election Board Judges are the bi-partisan back-up for the Inspector; 1 Judge administers oath to the Inspector Help set-up & tear down poll Work w/ Inspector on election machines, ballots & key papers Helps Voters complete necessary paperwork After Station #1: Check paper ballots for initials on ballot At Station #3: Near escan when Voter scans their ballot in case any issue arises Bi-partisan teams set up ballot on JBC for all eslate voting; can assist Voters to vote Respond to issues with Voters, visitors & poll workers End of Election Day: Republican Judge + Inspector travel to Election Central to delivery key election materials in 1 vehicle Election Central & Voter Registration Wants to help on any issue, concern, question voters, equipment, visitors, candidates, facility, poll workers Can supply additional ballots (don t let supply get too low) Can deliver additional supplies, workers, etc. Technology Team Sets up Station #1 equipment on Monday Circulates on Election Day around polls Available to come to poll to troubleshoot any equipment issues The Team & The Role of the Inspector TEAM = Inspector, + Pair(s) of Judges + Pair(s) of Clerks + Election Sheriffs Inspector Manager of the Poll Administers Oath to all poll workers Manages ballots with Judges (opens them, checks them, protects them, counts them ) Makes final decisions at the poll (with support of Judges & Election Central) Make all calls to Election Central & Voter Registration Days before Election Day: Get supplies & Oversee Poll Set-up Election Day - works to ensure a successful election: Ensures all machines are functioning & completes key election forms with Judges Ensures Workers get breaks Respond to issues with Voters, visitors, poll workers or the facility Helps Voters complete paperwork & retains this paperwork Circulates to check the poll outside & inside regularly Ensure no electioneering or political discussions in poll (including chute) End of Election Day Inspector & Republican Judge as bi-partisan team in 1 vehicle deliver key election materials including voted ballots to Election Central 5
When in doubt A Sheriff should ask your Inspector for help with any Voter or situation In an emergency. Call 911 Serving Voters with Special Needs Slow Down and Think Service Don t rush! Working with a person with special needs or disabilities may take extra time. Relax, but stay focused. Listen. Every Voter is unique; don t assume that you know what a Voter needs. Speak to the Voter, not the person who may be with him/her. Do NOT say let me do that for you or take over for the Voter. The Voter will ask for help if they desire it. If you want, you can say: If you would like assistance, please let me know. Then wait for direction from the Voter. Voters should feel free to give very specific instructions to the poll worker who is helping them. 6
Poll Set Up Monday night help set up the poll Inspector will explain & direct the Set-Up of the Poll Sheriffs & Clerks set up tables, chute & voting booths while Inspector & Judges work on equipment Assist the Inspector in any way asked See that everything is set up as the Inspector requests. Adjust as needed. Technology team will set up Station #1 with epollbooks. We don t turn the epollbooks on or move them once they are set up. 7
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What would you do? Voter on cell phone. Please exit the poll to finish the phone call. Your cell phone needs to be on silent while inside the poll. Voter wearing anything political. Please cover it, hide it or turn it inside out in the nearby restroom. Voter carrying anything political. Please hide it in backpack, purse, under jacket or under arm it cannot be visible in the poll) Voter discussing anything political or asking a question about a candidate. I m sorry, we are not allowed to discuss any topic like that inside the poll. Voter asking a question about a ballot. Sample ballot are displayed for you in the Voter Information Area. Show them where that is. A Visitor asking to see a Voter s identification. This is not allowed at the poll (except by Clerks at Station #1) A Voter asking how to vote. Direct this person inside and introduce them to the Inspector. A voter has a paper ballot in their hand & is exiting the poll. Ballots are not allowed to be taken away from the poll. A person needs help A door opened - open it. A wheelchair - provide it. Help walking - offer your arm so they can hold on. 9
What would you do? A person is reporting a problem outside. Check it out and understand the issue. You may be needed. Help manage the problem calmly. Try to de-escalate it if needed. Report the issue to the Inspector if needed to help manage it. 911 is also an option in difficult circumstances. A Voter needs to sit down. Bring them a chair. Ensure they are okay. A Voter has fallen, fainted, or is needing help. Emergency? Notify the Inspector & call 911 if an emergency. Unless you are a trained medic, do not attempt to provide medical support for an injury. Stay with the individual and try to calm them, give them privacy, direct others away. A Voter who does not know if they are in the right place. Station #1 can help answer that question. Voter asks for someone to help them Vote. Station #1 can help them. A Voter who was told to come to your poll from another poll. Station #1 can help them. A Voter shows you their identification and asks whether it is okay to vote with it. Station #1 can answer that question. At the end of the Election there is a line & you stand in the line to identify the end of it if any Voters arrive after the poll closes. Remain professional and on duty. If a Voter does arrive late, gently and kindly apologize to them. Inform them that the poll has already closed and only those in line in front of you will be able to vote today. End of Day Activities Break down the poll Do not disconnect or turn off any equipment (epollbooks, escan or JBC). The Inspector will manage the equipment. CAREFULLY remove all signs and labels, both inside and outside poll Close/fold up the voting booths Organize all supplies back into the supply tote Clean & return all tables & chairs to their original spaces, perhaps folded neatly in a tidy corner Clean facility of trash & litter & return it to the condition prior to your arrival (remember to check restrooms) 10