DSCC Observer Training Webinar

Training Team – Jessica, run through Laurenn Krupp’s account

Jessica Lovejoy – based out of Orlando, training leads for Florida Coordinated Campaign Recount

Geoff is the next host says Front lines on determine what types of ballots we can add to our total

Agenda For The Call

• What is a recount/ recount101

• What to expect as an observer

• Team structure

• Role

• How to report issues

• Role Play, what it will look like in the rooms at the counting table

• Next Steps

What It Means To Be An Observer:

• Be positive and confident. Tough and steadfast, you are an advocate for Dems and you shall be empowered to be above board and be positive.

• Ask questions. Thanks the observers for taking the time.

• Be responsive, at the locations will have a Site Lead coordinating efforts at each location.

• Be on time, check in with Site Lead 15 mins before the shift starts.

• Shifts will be four hours long. The recount does not stop because our team does not show up.

Recount 101 - Katelyn

• Why do we need a recount? Machine recount is within .50%, started a few days ago and then goes to Manual Recount, which will be within .25%, and then it counts over/undervotes.

• Undervotes – voter made no choice in the race

• Overvotes – the voter designated more than one candidate in the race

• Object on behalf of dems when appropriate

What To Expect

• Multiple shifts with multiple observers throughout the state

• Reemphasizes 15 minutes ahead of time rule

• Report to the Site Lead, who will act as the POC. If anything goes wrong, go to the Site Lead.

• Reporting: examining ballots, objecting to the County Team’s rulings when appropriate, reporting on the types of ballots

Team Structure

• Site Team – Site Lead, then Observers, Additional Site Team Members

• Boiler Room – Field Director, Field Boiler Room Desk, Sector Director, Sector Deputy Director

Counting Table

• Operating either as a Dem Candidate observer or a FL Dem party observer at any one counting table

• This structure helps to receive accurate information and give direction, respond in real time to issues

Defining Site leads

• Reports to their sector Deputy Director

• Coach Observers and other site Volunteers

• Greatest POC and ally

Defining Observers

• Report to their site lead accurately and on time

• Takes direction from their site lead

Role As An Observer - Geoff

• Observers will represent either a Dem Candidate and FLDP

What Can Happen At The Counting Table

• The Counting Team Disagrees – Automatically gets referred to Canvassing Board

• The Counting team votes that a ballot is an undervote or an overvote

• The counting Team votes that a ballot is a vote for the R or the Dem

• An inconsistent Ballot – a voter marks one race differently than the others on the ballot

Observers Will Be Responsible For Objecting To The Counting Team Ruling Or Reporting On The Ruling

• Role will be determined at the location

Your Job; Object

• If any potential Nelson is not being counted as Nelson, OBJECT

• If any vote is being counted as a Scott vote is arguably not, OBJECT

• You are an advocate for the Democratic Side.

• Republican observers are equally observers, convos may get heated but your job is to be positive, polite and a decent human being, but also steadfast and confident

• Not allowed to touch the ballots, let the counting team count them

• Two types of ballots you may encounter – bubble sheet ballot and arrow ballot

• In some counties they may require you to write the objection, make sure you understand what is being asked of you

Your Job; Report

• How the Counting Team ruled about the ballot

• Whether that ruling was challenged, by you or another observer

• What the ballot looked like, to help the legal time on the ballot design

Flagging Issues

• Flag issues to the site lead o Combative observers, are they harassing or interfering with the process o Approached by the press o Inconsistent rulings by the counting team o Any issues our team should know

Reporting – Legal Team Has Created These 16 General Categories:

Christina Sinclair to walk through the Recount App

CountAllTheVotes.com is the access URL

• Best guess at the outcome of the canvassing board is also asked for to be included

• Record the ballot description, record if there was a challenge

• Indicate best guess at the outcome of the challenge

• Closing vote totals

Alternates for Reporting:

Role Playing Section

In some cases, the overvote is the best we can possibly do – an over vote is a win

Even if it is a straight Scott vote, we are going to get it as close as possible – do best as possible to be overvote

Object based on the circle, Voter Intent – don’t care that it’s an inconsistent ballot, wither or something is an inconsistent ballot is currently being litigated, so we want to count it.

Answers:

• Google doc or paper back

• ASAP, or real time

• 15 mins ahead of time

Questions From The Group - Jessica

• Volunteers are the eyes and ears on the ground

• When will you be receiving shift assignments: Soon, still working on it

• Are we coordinating with FLDP: Yes, they are coordinating on site. These trainings are for observers of any Florida democratic candidates and FLDP.

• Are we objecting to the other races: follow direction of site leads, some places will be objecting for multiple and some will be objecting to just Senate race

• Dress Code: comfortable and casual, tennis shoes, nothing to hot due to not sure about temperature, bring coffee or water

• Where do you report to: we will be getting that to you – Text Senate to 64336

• App is a web app, you do not need to download app through the app store at CountAllTheVotes.com

• Political Garb: Trying to figure that out right now, play it safe and don’t wear it but keep it in the car if you feel strongly and check with your site lead

• Time per ballot deliberation depends on the counting team

• All the reports are being fed to the legal boiler to tell them how many ballots are being objected to and what capacity is needed to object to those.

• Can you touch the ballots: Hard no.

• What is your standard of review: your job is to get any ballot that could be a Nelson vote in or to the canvassing board, if you see any argument that it might be a valid Scott vote you object. We are working to elect the Dem and we don’t know how the rules going to be determined, so we don’t want our ballots to just be challenged, we don’t want you to be aggressive in a physical way, but be an aggressive advocate for the Democratic candidates.

• How often should you object, a lot.

• App is not ready for them to log in yet.

• You can do more than four hours: Yes if you want

• Locations request: working off priority

• What to bring with: charged cell phone, comfy shoes, big smile and positive attitude

• ID’s required: will not need an ID when you report for your shift

• Standing or Seating: We think there will be chairs but can not confirm at this time

List Of Names Identified Before The Training Began

• Cindy Landers

• Takisha Laster

• Laurenn Krupp

• Kristen Merritt

• Elizabeth Mcerlean

• Eileen Steginsky

• Lauren Krupp – Host

• Gail przeclwski

• Lane Bolton

• Linda Camarillo

• D. Jackson – Pickett

• Kathleen Grattan

• Mark Holtan

• Kathleen Grattan

• Bonnie Waltz

• Bart Perlman

• Susan Schechter

• Juliann Donnelly

• Cheryl Foster

• Robert Cope

• Anne Croasdale

• Valentina Vaillio

• Tarra Delong

• Robert Warner

• Matt Brown Marta Gonzalez

• Esmeralda Garbi

• Kristin Merrit

• Timothy Drummond

• William Kulha

• Stephanie Wright

• Ralph Horton

• Derrick Lewis

• Michael Estoy

• Esmeralda Garbi

• Mary Mooney

• Indira Kleen

• Sharon Stern

• Pamela Reed

• Angela Rosario

• William Kulha

• John Mezias

• DonnaMarie Giglio

• Linda Camarillo

• Elizabeth Bevington

• Benjamin Brupp

• Chief Kent T Watson

• Suzanne St, John from Clearwater