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State of New JerseyDistrict Board Member
The Honorable Tahesha Way, Secretary of State
TRAINING MANUAL
NJ Division of Elections - 10/10/18
I INTRODUCTION 1
II PREPARING FOR THE ELECTION 2 District Board Members 2 Training Requirements 2 Salary 2 General and Primary Elections 3 School Elections 3 Board Worker Etiquette 3 Certificateof Appointment 4 PollingPlaceSet-Up 4 BoardWorkerArrivalTime 4 SelectingAJudgeandInspector 5 MaterialsandSuppliesChecklist 5 IdentifytheOfficialClock 7 Placement of Voting Machines 8 Placement of Board Member and Challenger Tables 8 Preparationof aPrivacyAreaforVotersbyPaperBallot 8 Measure the “No Electioneering” Zone 8 ConductingAVoterAccessibilityWalk-through 9 Displayof VotingMachineInstructions 9 Opening/ClosingtheVotingMachine 9 OpeningthePolls 9 Breaks During Election Day 10
III MAINTAINING ORDER AT THE POLLS 10 PersonsAllowedinthePollingPlace 10 Posting Number of Voters Voted 10 Electioneering 11 Exit Polling 12 MediaReportersandPhotographers 12 Cell Phones 13 LaptopComputers 13 MiscellaneousSituationsThatMayArise 13 Fund-Rasing 13 Emergency 13 LowPaperBallotSupply 14 IncidentLog 14
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
IV PROCESSING THE VOTER 14 RoutineProcedures 14 GeneralRuleforBalloting 14 TimeAllowedtoVote 14 VotingAuthoritySlips 15 WhenaVoterAppearstoVote 15 VotingintheVotingMachine 17 SpecialSituations 17 If theVoter’sNameisNotinthePollBook 17 If theVoterSignsonAnotherVoter’sLine 17 If theVoter’sNameisMarkedasHavingVoted 17 VotersWhoHaveChangedTheirNames 18 Voters Who Exit the Voting Booth Before Casting Their Vote 18 PrimaryElection:VotersQualifiedtoVote 18 VoterAffiliatedwithaPoliticalPartyBeforeElectionDay 18 UnaffiliatedVoters 19 Voting in Machine at a Primary Election 20 “Tagged” Voters 20 Mail-InBallotVoter 20 Signature Required 21 IDRequired 21 AffirmAddress 22 VotersWhoHaveChangedTheirResidence 22 TheVoterhasMovedwithintheElectionDistrict 22 TheVoterhasMovedOutsidetheElectionDistrictbutResides withintheCounty 22 TheVoterhasMovedOutsidetheCountyAftertheCloseof Registration 22 TheVoterhasMovedOutsidetheCountyinTimetoRegister intheNewCounty 23 VoterswithDisabilities 23 The Right to Vote 23 ProvidingAccommodationsorAssistancewithVoting 24 InteractingwithVoterswithDisabilities 24 SpecialRulesforProcessingVotersWhoNeedAssistance 25 Challenges in the Polling Place 26 Challenge Process 28 UpholdingtheChallenge 29 ChallengerDo’sandDon’ts 29
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Table of Contents
PaperBallotsinPollingPlaces 29 VotingbyProvisionalBallot 29 Voters Who Must Vote by Provisional Ballot 30 Voting by Emergency Ballot 31 OpeningEmergencyBallotBox 32 Contents of Emergency Ballot Box 33 Voting by Emergency Ballot 33 ResumeVotingontheVotingMachine 34
V CLOSING THE POLLS 34 AnnouncingtheCloseof Polls 34 ClosingTime 34 VotersWhoAreOnLinetoVoteatClosingTime 35 Post-votingProceduresinthePollingPlace 35 ClosingtheVotingMachines 35 PrintingReports 35 ProvisionalBallots 35 Canvassing and Tallying the Emergency Ballots 36 Counting Rules 36 Procedure 36 PublishtheResultsof theElection 37 Collectingof allElectionMaterialsandSupplies 37 Returnof Materials 37 Pay Voucher - Last But Not Least 38
Table of Contents
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I. Introduction
I. Introduction
Votingisoneof themostimportantrightswehaveasAmericans.Itisthroughelec-tionsthatourelectedleadersarechosen.Theseelectedofficialsmakedecisionsthataffectoureverydaylives.Therighttovoteisonlymeaningful,however,if allqualifiedvotershavethefullopportunitytoparticipateinfairandlawfulelections.Ourvotersaredependent,therefore,uponthosepersonschargedwithelectionresponsibilities.Thereisnoquestionthatdistrictboardmembersareonthefront-lineinpromotingdemocracyonelectionday.
ThepurposeofthismanualistoassistalldistrictboardmembersintheStateofNewJerseywiththeknowledgeandinformationtheymusthaveinordertodotheirjobprop-erlyandconfidently.Whilemanyvotersvotebymail-inballot,formostcitizens,theironlycontactinexercisingtherighttofranchiseiswiththeirdistrictboardmembers.
Accordingly,correctandconsistentStatewideapplicationandimplementationof elec-tionlawsatthepollingplacearefundamentaltoprotectingourfreedom.Thankyouforbecomingaboardworker!Weappreciatethatthehoursarelongandtheworkcanbechallenging,buttheservicesyouprovideonanelectiondayareinvaluable.
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II. Preparing for the ElectionDistrict Board Members
Eachdistrictboardof electionistobecomprisedof twoRepublicanandtwo
DemocraticdistrictboardmembersappointedbytheCountyBoardof Election.In
certainelectiondistricts,additionaldistrictboardmembers,whoarebilingualinEnglish
andSpanish,areassignedtothedistrictboard.
Training Requirements
Within30daysbeforeanelection,allnewmembersof adistrictboardmust
attendtrainingadministeredbytheCountyBoardof Election.Alldistrictboard
membersmustattendtrainingsessionsforeachelectionatleastonceeverytwoyears.
However,whennewlawsareintroduced,mandatorytrainingmayberequiredof district
boardmembersatthediscretionof theCountyBoardof Election.
Salary
General and Primary Elections
Foranygeneralelection,primaryelection,orspecialelection,thecompensationis
$200.00foreachdistrictboardmember.Inaddition,thedistrictboardmemberwhois
responsibleforobtainingandsigningforthepollbooksshallreceiveanadditional$12.50
perelection.If thatresponsibilityissharedbetweentwoboardmembers,eachmember
shallreceive$6.25perelection.Thedistrictboardmemberwhoisresponsiblefor
returningthepollbooksattheclosingof thepollsreceivesanadditional$12.50per
election.If thatresponsibilityissharedbetweentwoboardmembers,eachmembershall
receive$6.25perelection.Any district board member working a general, primary
or special election who fails to attend a required training session in the year in
which such training is required, shall be compensated only $50.00 for that
election.
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II. Preparing for the Election
School Elections
Foranyschoolelection,districtboardmembersarepaidonanhourlybasis,inan
amounttobedeterminedbythelocalschoolboard.Foraschoolelection,thedistrict
boardmemberwhoisresponsibleforobtainingandsigningforthepollbooksshall
receiveanadditional$12.50perelection.If thatresponsibilityissharedbetweentwo
boardmembers,eachmembershallreceive$6.25perelection.Thedistrictboard
memberwhoisresponsibleforreturningthepollbooksattheclosingof thepollsshall
receiveanadditional$12.50perelection.If thatresponsibilityissharedbetweentwo
boardmembers,eachmembershallreceive$6.25perelection.Any district board
member working a school election who fails to attend a required training session
in the year in which such training is required, shall be compensated at an hourly
rate of $3.85 for that election.
Foranygeneral,primary,specialorschoolelection,districtboardmemberswill
receivepaymentfortheirserviceswithin30daysaftereachelection.
Board Worker Etiquette
Everyvotershouldleavethepollingplacefeelingpositiveabouthisorherexperience
in,andcontributionto,thedemocraticprocess.Thisisalsoanimportantlessonforany
children,(our“futurevoters”),whoaccompanytheirparentstothepolls. The success
of thiseffortdependslargelyupontheattitudeandconductof theboardmembers.
Districtboardmembersareexpectedtoconductthemselvesinaprofessionaland
courteousmannertoeachandeveryvoterthroughoutthecourseof theelection.To
facilitatethevoting,itisalsoimportantthatallvoters’questionsbefullyanswered.
BoardmembersshouldbeparticularlysensitivetovoterswhomaynotspeakEnglish
orhavelimitedEnglishskillsorwhohavedisabilities.
Districtboardmembersmustalsoextendthesesamecourtesiestotheirfellowboard
members.Anydisagreementsshouldberesolvedinacalmmanner.Ifboardmembers
cannotresolveanissueamongthemselves,theyshouldcalltheCountyBoardoffice.Under
no circumstances should any disagreement escalateintoaloudandheatedargument.
II. Preparing for the Election
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Whileweallknowelectiondayislong,maintainingone’spatiencewillgoalongway
towardensuringasmoothelection.Asenseofhumoralsohelps.Remember: Be
polite,patientandhelpfultothevotersandyourfellowboardmembers.
Certificate of Appointment
DistrictboardmembersmusthavetheirCertificatesofAppointmentwiththematall
timeswhileperformingtheirduties.EmergencyCertificatesofAppointmentmaybeused
if asubstitutedistrictboardmemberisappointedtofillavacancy.If avacancyoccurs,
districtboardmembersmustimmediatelycontacttheCountyBoardof Election,which
willprovideinstructionsonhowtoproceed.
EachdistrictboardmembermusttakeandsigntheOathofOfficebeforeundertaking
anyelectionduties.TheCertificatemustbecompletedandreturnedwiththeelectionsup-
pliesattheconclusionof theelection.
Polling Place Set-Up
Board Worker Arrival Time
Districtboardmembersmustarriveattheirassignedpollingplaceno later than 45
minutes before the polls officially open.Exceptforthoseschoolelectionsthathave
alaterstarttime,districtboardmembersmustarriveby5:15a.m.tohavethevotingma-
chine ready for voting promptly at 6:00 a.m.TheCountyBoardof Electionwilladvise
thedistrictboardmembersof thehoursforschoolelections,whicharesetbythelocal
schoolboard.Districtboardmembersmustarriveattheirassignedpollingplacenolater
than45minutesbeforethepollsofficiallyopenforschoolelections.
Adistrictboardmemberwhoisunabletoreporttohisorherassignmentmustnotify
theCountyBoardof Electionassoonaspossible,sothatasubstitutecanbefound.The
districtboardmustimmediatelynotifytheCountyBoardofElectionifanyboardmember,
includinganybilingualdistrictboardmember,failstoreportforduty.However, the
district board may not delay the opening of the polls because of the absence
of any member. 4
Selecting A Judge and Inspector
Thedistrictboardmembersmustelectajudge,whoshallberesponsibleforthe
completionofallpaperwork,andaninspector.Thejudgeandinspectormustbefrom
differentpoliticalparties.Ifthedistrictboardfailstoelecteitherofficeronthreeballots,
theseniormemberinlengthof serviceonthedistrictboardbecomesthejudgeandthe
nextmostseniormemberof theoppositepoliticalpartybecomestheinspector.The
remainingmembersaredesignatedasclerks.Whilethejudgemayberesponsiblefor
ensuringthecompletionof allpaperwork,alldistrictboardmembershaveequal
authoritywhileperformingtheirdutiesonelectionday.Further,alldistrictboard
membersmustremainattheirassignedpollingplaceuntilallelectionrelated
responsibilitiesarecompleted.
Materials and Supplies Checklist
ElectiondaymaterialsareprimarilyassembledintheofficesoftheCountyBoardof
Election,andarepackedintobagsorothercontainersfordelivery.Countiesusevarious
waystoprovidethematerialstothedistrictboards.Thedistrictboardmembersshould
checkthelistsof materialsandsuppliestoensurethatthedistrictboardhasbeenpro-
videdwiththefollowingmaterialsthatitwillneed.Thesematerialsinclude:
� PollBooks:typicallythepollbookfortheelectiondistrictisbrokendownintoat
leasttwovolumesalphabetically;
� VotingAuthorityBooks;
� VotingMachineKeys;
� ProvisionalBallotBagwithprovisionalballotsandenvelopes;
� ThreeSampleBallots:Thesemustbepostedsothatvoterswillbeabletoreadboth
thefrontandbackofthesampleballot.Theinformationonthesampleballotsstates:
z electionandthelistofthecandidatesandanypublicquestions;
z thedateandtimeof theelection;
z votinginstructions;
� VoterBillofRightsposter.
II. Preparing for the Election
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� Signs:
z Handicapped-Accessibilitysign,whichistobepostedatthe
handicappedaccessibleentrancetothepollingplace;
z Signsdirectingvoterstothelocation(s)of votingmachines;
z “VoteHere”signswhichshouldbepostedattheoutsideentrancetothe
pollingplace;
z “NoLoiteringorElectioneering”signwhichistobepostedatthe
pollingplaceentrance;
z Signindicatingvotingdistrict(s)number(s)whichistobepostedatthe
entranceandontheappropriatetableforanelectiondistrictif thereare
multipleelectiondistrictsinthepollingplace;
z “NoSmoking”signwhichistobepostedatthepollingplaceentrance;
z “A-K”and“L-Z”signswhicharetobeplacedonthetableinfrontofthe
pollbooks.
z Numberof “VotersVoted”signs.
� Streetnameandelectiondistrictlistofthemunicipalitywhichshouldbeplacedby
thepollbooks;
� PollingPlaceList:aprint-outof allthepollingplacesinthecountylistedby
municipalityandelectiondistrict;
� ChallengerAffidavitForms;
� DisabilityCertificates;
� VoterComplaintForms;
� IncidentLogtorecordanyproblemsthatoccuronelectionday;
� ADAChecklist;
� Numberof VotersthatVotedSheets;
� Affirmationof ResidencyForms;
� InformationforProvisionalBallotVoter;
� Badges for board members
z mustbewornatalltimes;
� BoardWorkerManual;
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II. Preparing for the Election
� InformationforChallengedVoters
� VotingMachineInstructionPosterandEasel;
� EmergencyBallotProcedures;
� PayrollSheetforDistrictBoard;
� TelephoneNumbersfortheCountyBoardof Election,CountySuperintendent
of Elections(if thereisoneinthecounty),CountyClerk,sheriff ’sdepartment,
localmunicipalclerkandlocalpolicedepartment;
� Tapeforaffixingsigns;
� SupplementalMail-InBallotVoterList:
z If avoterappliesforamail-inballotafterthepollbooksareprinted,that
voter’snamewillappearonasupplementallistwhichwillbedelivered
tothepollingplacebythemunicipalclerkonelectiondaymorning. This
supplementallistshouldbekeptnearthepollbooksandusedbythe
boardmemberstoupdatethepollbooksonelectiondaymorning.
NOTE:ItismostimportantthatthedistrictboardprominentlypostALLsignsincluded
initssupplies,bothEnglishandSpanish,inthepollingplace.Thesesignsshouldbeim-
mediatelyvisibletoandeasilyreadbythevoterwhenheorsheentersthepollingplace.
Inaddition,theAmericanflagmustbedisplayedattheentrancetothepolling
placeduringthehoursof theelection.Immediatelycontactthemunicipalclerkif there
isnoflagatthepollingplace.
Identify the Official Clock
Thedistrictboardmembersmustselectanofficialclockandcoordinateallwatches
withthatclocksothatthereisnoconfusionaboutthetimesthatthepollsareopenedor
closed.Useawallclockintheroomastheofficialclock,ifoneisavailable,becauseitis
likelythatvotersandchallengerswillusethisasareference.Itisimportantthatthe
districtboardmemberscoordinatethetimeonthevotingmachinezero-printoutreport
withtheofficialclock.Intheeventthatthetimesonthezero-printoutandtheofficial
clockarenotidentical,thejudgemustdeterminetheofficialtime.
II. Preparing for the Election
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Placement of Voting Machines
Thevotingmachine(s)shouldbeplacedatleastthreefeetfromawallorpartition,
andatleastfourfeetfromanytablewherethedistrictboardmembersareseated.The
machine(s)shouldbesituatedsothattheballotsonthefaceof themachine(s)canbe
plainlyseenbythedistrictboardmembersandchallengersatalltimeswhennotinuse
byavoter. Districtboardmembersassignedtoworkthevotingmachinesmustcheckthe
faceof thevotingmachineaftereachvoterfinishesvotingandleavesthemachine.
Placement of Board Member and Challenger Tables
Districtboardmembers’tablesmustbesituatedtoensureafullviewof thepolling
placeandthevotingmachines.Challengers cannot sit with the district board at the
poll book tables.Thechallenger’stableshouldbelocatedcloseenoughtothedistrict
boardmembers’tablesothatthechallengercanhearthevoter’snamewhenthedistrict
boardmemberreadsitaloud.
NOTE: NOINDIVIDUAL,INCLUDINGADISTRICTBOARDMEMBER,IS
PERMITTEDTOBEINAPOSITIONFROMWHICHHEORSHEMAY
OBSERVEHOWAVOTERHASVOTED.
Preparation of a Privacy Area for Voters Who Vote by Paper Ballot
Setasideanareawherevoterswhoarevotingbyemergencyorprovisionalballotmay
vote privately. Preparethedesignatedareawithatableorclipboard,pencils,anda
privacyscreen.
Measure the “No Electioneering” Zone
Boardmembersshouldmeasure100feetfromtheoutsideentranceof thepolling
place.Thismarksaprotectedareawithinwhichnoelectioneering,fundraisingactivities
orothersocialeventsarepermitted.
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II. Preparing for the Election
Conducting a Voter Accessibility Walk-through
Theboardmembersshouldperformawalk-throughofthepollingplaceforbarriersto
accessibilitybyutilizingtheADAchecklist.Thisprocedureshouldbeginatthe
parkinglotandincludeaccesstoentrances,parkingandpathwaysigns,internaland
externaldoorwaysandpossibleobstructionswhichmighthinderdisabledorelderly
voters.Thedistrictboardshouldselectan“accessibilitypoint-person”fromamong
themselves.Theappointeddistrictboardmemberisresponsibleforensuringthatthe
pollingplaceremainsaccessibletodisabledorelderlyvotersthroughoutelectionday.
Board members should conduct a walk-through periodically at least 2 more times
during election day.Anybarriersorobstacleswhichmightimpedeadisabledorelderly
votermustberemovedoradjusted.
NOTE: Accessibilitysignsmustbepostedatthehandicappedaccessibleentrancetothe
pollingplace.Signsdirectingvoterstothelocation(s)of votingmachinesmustbeposted
ininteriorpassageways.Ifthedistrictboarddeterminesthatadditionalaccessibilitysignsare
needed,thejudgeshouldtelephonetheCountyBoardofElectionimmediately.
Display of Voting Machine Instructions
Instructionsforusingthevotingmachine,includinginstructionsforcastingawrite-in
vote,mustbeplacedwheretheyareimmediatelyvisibletoandcanbeeasilyreadbyavoter
before the voter enters the voting machine.Separateinstructionsforuseof theaudio
kitforthevisually-impairedvotersmustalsobereadilyavailable.
Opening/Closing the Voting Machine
Theproceduresforopeningandclosingthevotingmachinesandtheaudioset-up
proceduresareprovidedbytheCountyBoardof Electionunderseparatecover.
Opening the Polls
Asdeterminedbytheofficialclock,atprecisely6:00a.m.(oratthetimesetbya
II. Preparing for the Election
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schooldistrictforaschoolelection),thejudgeof thedistrictboardshould publicly
announce thatthepollsareofficiallyopen.
Breaks During Election Day
AmajorityofthreeofthedistrictboardmembersmustbepresentAT ALL TIMES
whenthepollsareopen.Therefore,onlyoneboardmember ispermittedtobeabsent
fromthepollingroomatatime.Aboardmemberispermittedtobeabsentforaone
hourlunchbreakbetweenthehoursof 1:00p.m.and5:00p.m.Noboardmember,
however,shouldbeabsentfromthepollingplaceafter5:00p.m.
III. Maintaining Order at the PollsPersons Allowed In the Polling Place
Thedistrictboardmustbeawareatalltimesof whoisinthepollingplace.State
electionlawprovidesthatonlycertainpeopleareauthorizedtobeinthepollingplace.
Theyareasfollows:
� District Board Members
� Votersandtheirdependentchildren
� Credentialed Challengers
� Candidates
� Electionofficials
� Policeofficers,if assigned
� Federal or state observers
NOTE: Boardmembersshouldnotpermitunauthorizedpersonstoremaininthe
pollingplaceandshouldaskthemtoleave.
Posting Number of Voters that Voted
Eachpollinglocationmustpubliclydisplayanoticecontainingthenumberof
voterswhovotedineachelectiondistrict,indicatingthenumberof voterswhovoted 10
II. Preparing for the Election
usingavotingmachineandthenumberof voterswhohavevotedusingaprovisional
ballot.Thefirstnoticetobepostedat8a.m.onthedayof anelectionandthereafter
updatedeverytwohoursuntilthepollsclose.Therefore,noticesof thetotalnumberof
votersaretobepostedat8a.m.,10a.m.,noon,2p.m.,4p.m.and6p.m.
Thedistrictboardworkersshouldobtainthenumberof votersvotingbyvoting
machineeverytwohoursbyreadingthenumberof votescastpermachinefromthe
publiccounteroneachvotingmachine.Thatnumberistobepostedonthepublic
notice,notingthecountforeachmachine.
Inordertoreportthenumberof provisionalballotscast,thedistrictboardshould
maintainaseparatetallysheetformarkingdownthenumberof provisionalballotscast
duringthecourseof theday.Everytimeavotersubmitsaprovisionalballottothe
districtboard,thedistrictboardshouldfirstmarktheprovisionalballottallysheetto
indicatethevotedprovisionalballothasbeenreceived.Thenthevotedprovisional
ballotistobeplacedintheprovisionalballotbag.UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES
shallanyonetakeavotedprovisionalballotoutof theprovisionalballotbagoncethat
ballotisplacedinthebag,untilafterthecloseof thepolls.
Electioneering
Electioneeringisnotpermittedwithin100feetof theentranceof thepollingplace.
Electioneeringisdefinedasthedistributionordisplayof anycircularorprintedmatter
orofferingof anysuggestionorthesolicitationof supportforanycandidate,partyor
publicquestion.Thisincludes,butisnotlimitedto,wearingof partisantee-shirts,but-
tons,hatsand/orthedisplayordistributionof partisancampaignmaterialincluding
pamphlets,newsletters,brochures,bumperstickers,signsorplacards.Thedistrict
membersshouldaskthattheelectioneeringstopandcontacttheCountyBoardof
Election,if thereareanyproblems.Asalastresort,thedistrictboardcouldrequest
policeassistance.
If partisanpoliticalsignsarelocatedonprivatepropertythatislocatedwithinthe
100foot“noelectioneering”zone,thedistrictboardshouldrequestthepropertyowner
III. Maintaining Order at the Polls
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toremovethesignormoveittoanareaoutsidethe100foot“noelectioneering”zone.
If thepropertyownerortenantrefuses,however,thedistrictboardshouldtakeno
furtheraction.
Inordertoavoidtheappearanceofpartisanship,districtboardmembersshouldnot
acceptfoodorothergiftsofferedbycandidatesorpartiesduringtheconductoftheelection.
Exit Polling
Exitpollingwithinthe100-foot“noelectioneering”zoneispermittedonlyby
EdisonResearchGroupwhichispermittedtodoexitpollingwithinthisareaonbehalf
of ABC,APCBS,CNN,FoxNewsandNBC.Representativesof theseMediaoutlets
musthavecredentialsfromtheCountyBoardof Election.Theexitpollstermay
questionvoterswhoareleavingthepollingplace.Voter participation in exit polling is
strictly voluntary.
Apollstermuststandoutsidethepollingplacebutcanstandanywherewithinthe
100foot“noelectioneering”zone.Thepollstercannotinterferewiththeorderlyconduct
of theelectionorobstructthepathof votersastheyenterorexitfromthepolls.
Approachingvotersbeforetheyenterthepollingplace,however,isprohibited.
Thesevotersshouldnotbesubjecttoanyquestioning,ortheofferingof assistanceor
anymaterialsastheyareenteringthepollingplace.
Media Reporters and Photographers
Photographers,TVcameracrewsandreportersfromthemediaaregenerallynot
permittedinthepollingroom.However,ithasbeenalongstandingtraditionin
NewJerseytopermitthefilmingorphotographingof acandidatevotingatthepolls.
ThemediamustobtainpriorpermissionfromtheCountyBoardof Electiontodothis.
If amemberof themediaentersthepollingplacetotakephotographs,thedistrictboard
must refer the individual to the County Board of Election for its determination of the
matter.Thedistrictboardmustnotallowthephotographer,cameracreworreporterto
interferewiththeconductof theelection,theprivacyof voters,ordistracttheboard 12
III. Maintaining Order at the Polls
membersfromperformingtheirduties.
Cell Phones
Generally,thedistrictboardshouldnotpermittheuseof cellphonesinthe
pollingplace.If avoterorachallengerisusingacellphoneinthepollingplace,the
districtworkershouldrequestthattheindividualdosoinanotherroom.Avotercannot
useacellphoneinthevotingmachine.Aboardmembershoulduseacellphone,
however,tocontacttheCountyBoardof Electionorsuperintendentof electionsfor
officialelectionbusiness.
Laptop Computers
Theuseof alaptopcomputerbyachallengertotrackvotersortorecordpolling
placeobservationsisgenerallyacceptable.If forsomereason,itcausesadisturbance,
thedistrictboardshouldaskthechallengertostopusingit.
Miscellaneous Situations That May Arise
Fund-Raising
Nosocialorfund-raisingactivityof anygroupororganizationshouldbepermitted
within100feetof theentranceof apollingplace,orinthepollingroom,onelection
day.Thisincludes,butisnotlimitedto,bakesales,dinnersorotherfoodsales,book
sales,craftexhibits,artshowsorothersocialorfundraisingactivities.Thedistrictboard
mustaskindividualsresponsibleforsucheventstoleavetheprotectedarea.
Emergency
Ifafiredrilloranemergencyoccurs,everyonemustsafelyevacuatethebuilding.A
boardmembershouldtakecustodyoftheprovisionalballotbagandclosethefrontofthe
votingmachine,if possible.CalltheCountyBoardof Electionaftersafelyevacuating
thebuilding.TheCountyBoardof Electionshouldhaveanemergencyvotingplan,
includingalternatevotingsitesandemergencyprocedures.
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III. Maintaining Order at the Polls
Low Paper Ballot Supply
If thedistrictboardfindsthatitisrunninglowonemergencyorprovisionalballots,
the district board must immediately notify the County Board of Election or the County
Clerk,sotheyitcanarrangeformoreballotstobedeliveredtothepollingplace.
Incident Log
Thedistrictboardshoulduseanincidentlogtorecordvotingirregularities,mistakes,
orunusualeventsorincidentsthatoccuratthepollingplaceduringelectionday.Someex-
amplesare:
� Avoterwhosignsonthesignaturelineof anothervoterinerror;
� Aboardmemberwhomistakenlypermitsavotertovoteacrossparty
linesinaprimaryelection;
� Disturbancesinthepollingplace.Thelogshouldincludethetime,adescription
of theincidentandhowitwashandled,andtheidentityof theperson(s)and
boardmember(s)whowereinvolved.Theincidentlogshouldbereturnedwith
thesuppliesandmaterialsatthecloseof polls.
� Use of emergency ballots
� “Fleeing Voters”
IV. Processing the Voter Routine Procedures General Rule for Balloting
Mostvoterswillvoteinthevotingmachine.Thedistrictboardshallnotpermitany
personwhosenameandsignaturedoesnotappearinthepollbooktovoteonthevoting
machine unlessthevoterpresentsaCourtOrder stating that the voter is to vote in the
machine.
Time Allowed to Vote
Thelawstatesavoterispermittednomorethantwominutestocastavote.However,14
III. Maintaining Order at the Polls
moretimemaybeneededifavoterisusingtheaudiokit,orifthevoterrequiresanother
formofassistance.Thedistrictboardmustbereasonableinthissituation.Oncethe
voteiscast,thevotermustexitfromthevotingmachineboothimmediatelyandleave
thepollingplace.If avoterrefusestoleavethevotingbooth,thedistrictboardmem-
bersareauthorizedtoremovethevoter.Once the voter completes casting his or her
vote upon the machine, he or she cannot go back into the machine for any reason
whatsoever.
Voting Authority Slips
Eachelectiondistrictwillreceivepadsof votingauthorities.Eachvotingauthority
slipisintwopartsandisperforated;oneportionistobesignedbythevoterandre-
mainsinthepadwiththedistrictboard.Theotherhalf of theperforatedticketis
giventothevoterwhomusthandittothedistrictboardworkerwhoisoperatingthe
votingmachine.Avotermustpresentavotingauthoritysliptothedistrictboard
memberwhoisoperatingthemachinebeforethevotermayenterthevotingbooth.
Thedistrictboardmemberwilltakethevotingauthorityandplaceit,intheorderin
whichitwasreceived,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
nameandaddressof thevoterloudlyenoughsothechallengerscanhearit.
� Thedistrictboardmembershalllocatethevoter’snameandaddressinthepoll
book.If theelectionisaPRIMARY,thedistrictboardmembermustalso
considerwhetherthevoterhasdeclaredapartyaffiliation.
� Thevotershallsignhisorhernameintheappropriatesignaturecolumn.
� Thedistrictboardshallcomparethevoter’ssignaturetothesignatureinthepoll
bookforverification.
� Uponbeingsatisfiedthatthesignaturesarethesame,thedistrictboardmember
shallsignwithhisorherinitialsintheproperspaceadjacenttothevoter’s
signature.
IV. Processing the Voter
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� Thedistrictboardmemberissuesthevoteravotingauthorityslipstampedwitha
ballotnumber,andrecordstheballotnumberinthepropercolumninthepoll
book.If theelectionisaPRIMARY,thedistrictboardmemberissuesthevoting
authorityslipforthecorrectparty.
� Thevotermustsignhisorhernametoavotingauthorityslip.Thetearoff
portionisthendetachedandgiventothevoter.Thevoteristopresenttheslip
to the district board member in charge of the voting machine before entering the
votingmachineboothtovote.
� Thedistrictboardmemberacceptsthevotingauthorityslipfromthevoterand
placesitonthestring,orwire.Thedistrictboardmemberthensetsthemachine
forvoting.
� Onlyonevoteratatimeshallbepermittedinthevotingmachine.However,
thevoterwhoqualifiesforassistancemaybeaccompaniedbytheassistor.The
voter’sdependentchildalsomayaccompanythevoterintothevotingbooth.The
districtboardmembermustinstructthevotertokeephisorherchildonhisor
herleftsidewhileoccupyingthevotingbooth.
� Eachvoterisallowedtovoteonlyonce,andonceavotercompletescastinghis
orhervoteuponthevotingmachine,heorsheisnotpermittedtore-enterthe
votingbooth.
� Avoterispermittedtotakehisorherown“OfficialSampleBallot”intothe
votingboothorvotingarea,providedthatthevoterdoesnotusetheSample
Ballottoelectioneerorcauseanyimproperdisplayof theballotwhilewaiting
tovote.
Theballotisforthevoter’sreferenceonly.
NOTE: Beforethedistrictboardcanprocessavoter,itmaybenecessarytoprovidethe
voterwithspecialassistance.Itismostimportantthatalldistrictboardmembersfamil-
iarizethemselveswiththelawsandprocedurestobefollowedwhenavoterneedsassis-
tanceinvoting.Alldistrictboardmembersmustreadandreviewthesection,“Providing
AccommodationsorAssistancewithVoting,”onpage24.
16
III. Maintaining Order at the Polls
Voting in the Voting Machine
TheCountyBoardof Electionwillprovideinstructionsonoperatingthevoting
machineusedinyourcounty.
Special Situations:
If the Voter’s Name is Not in the Poll Book
Ifthevoter’snamecannotbelocatedinthepollbook,thedistrictboardmembershould:
� carefullycheckthebookasthenamemayhavebeenincorrectlytyped,misspelled
orisoutof orderinthebook;
� Askthevotertorepeathisorheraddress,andrefertothestreetlistwhichhas
beenprovidedtodetermineif thevoterisinthecorrectpollingplace.
� If thevoter’saddressiswithinyourelectiondistrict,meaningthepersonisinthe
rightpollingplace,butthenameisnotinthebook,the voter can only vote by
provisional ballot.
� If thevoter’saddressisNOTwithinyourelectiondistrict,refertothestreetlist
todeterminethecorrectdistrictinordertodirectthevotertothecorrectpolling
location.Ifthereisanydoubt,advisethevotertocontacttheCountyBoardof
Electiontoconfirmhisorhercorrectpollinglocation.
If the Voter Signs on Another Voter’s Line
Whenavotermistakenlysignshisorhernameonanothervoter’slineinthepollbook,
drawasinglelinethroughthename.Do not obliterate it or erase it.
Whenthecorrectvoterappearstovote,havesuchvotersignhisorhernameabove
theincorrectsignature.Makeanoteoftheerrorandthecorrectioninthe
INCIDENTLOG.
If the Voter’s Name is Marked as Having Voted
Whenavoter,uponappearingtovote,findsthatthepollbookindicatesheorshehas
IV. Processing the Voter
17
alreadyvoted,thedistrictboardcannotpermitthevotertovote. Refer the voter to the
CountyCommissionerof Registration(BoardorSuperintendent)foradviceandresolu-
tionof theproblem.
Voters Who Have Changed Their Names
Avoterwhosenameisinthepollbook,butwhostatesthatheorshehaschanged
hisorhernamebywayof marriageorcourtordermayvoteinthevotingmachine.The
votershouldbeprocessedasfollows:
� Thevotermustsigntheformernameandcurrentnameinthepollbook.
� DistrictboardshouldrequestthevotercompleteaChangeof NameFormin
ordertocorrectthevoter’srecord.
Voters Who Exit the Voting Booth Before Casting Their Vote
Thedistrictboardmembermuststayclosetothemachinetolistenif theCAST
VOTEbuttonwaspushed.If thevoterleavesthemachinebeforethisbuttonispushed,
thedistrictboardmembermustimmediatelyattempttogetthevotertocomebackto
themachinetopushthebuttonandfinishvoting.
Primary Election: Voters Qualified to Vote
Voter Affiliated with a Political Party Before Election Day
� APrimaryElectionisanelectionwherepoliticalpartiesselectcandidatesto
runintheGeneralElectioninNovember.Currently,theonlypoliticalpartiesin
NewJerseyaretheDemocratandRepublicanparties. ONLY VOTERS
WHO HAVE DECLARED AN AFFILIATION WITH THE
REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRATIC PARTY ARE PERMITTED TO
VOTE IN A PRIMARY ELECTION.Avoter’spartyaffiliationisindicatedin
thepollbookinaboxtotherightof thevoter’sname.
� Thedistrictboardmembermustbecarefultoprovidethevoterwiththe
votingauthorityslipthatcorrespondstothevoter’sdeclaredpoliticalparty.
18
IV. Processing the Voter
Thedistrictboardmemberoperatingthevotingmachinewillrelyuponthe
votingauthoritytosetthevotingmachineforaparty’sprimaryelectionballot.
� ADISTRICTBOARDMEMBERCANNOT PERMIT AVOTERTO
CHANGEHISORHERPARTYATTHEPOLLINGPLACE ANDVOTE
INTHENEWPARTY’SPRIMARYELECTION.It is a criminal offense for
the voter to vote across party lines and for the district board member to
allow this to occur.If avoterindicatesthatheorshedesirestochangehis
orherpartyaffiliation,theboardmembermustexplaintothevoterthatinorder
tochangepartyandvoteinthePrimaryElection,avotermustnotifythe
commissioner of registration of the change at least 55 days before the Primary
Election.Thedistrictmembermayofferthevoteraregistrationapplicationor
partydeclarationformtochangehisorherpartyaffiliationforfuture elections
only.
� If avoter’spollbookindicatesthatavoterisaffiliatedwithapoliticalparty,
butthevoterinsiststhatthepollbookiswrong,districtboardmembersshould
callthecommissionerof registration.
Unaffiliated Voters
AnUNAFFILIATEDVOTERisonewhohasnotdeclaredhisorheraffiliation
withapoliticalpartybeforeelectionday.
� AN UNAFFILIATED VOTER MAY DECLARE A PARTY
AFFILIATION AT THE POLLING PLACE AND VOTE IN THE
PRIMARY ELECTION.If avoter’spollbookpageisnotmarkedwithaparty
affiliation,thevotermaydeclareaffiliationwiththeDemocraticorRepublican
Partyandvoteinthatparty’sprimary.Whenanunaffiliatedvoterpresents
himself orherself tovote,thedistrictboardmembermustexplainthatthevoter
mustchooseapartyaffiliationinordertovoteinthePrimaryElection.The
district board member must record the voter’s declarationintheboxprovided
totherightof thevoter’sname.
NOTE:Allvoterspreviouslyidentifiedas“INDEPENDENT”arenowidentifiedas
IV. Processing the Voter
19
“UNAFFILIATED”andcanvoteataPrimaryElection,if theydeclareapartyatthe
pollingplace.
Voting in Machine at a Primary Election
� Afterthevotergivestheboardmemberthevotingauthorityslip,theboard
member must:
� SELECT THE PROPER PARTY’ S BALLOT.Themachineoperatormust
examinethevotingauthoritysliptodeterminewhichparty’sballotthevoterwill
vote.Theoperatorwillpressthebuttonontheoperatorpanelthatmatchesthe
partydesignatedonthevotingauthorityslip.
� If theoperatorfailstosetthemachineforthecorrectpartybeforepressingthe
GREENactivatebutton,theoperatorMUSTpressthebuttonforthecorrect
partyandAGAINpresstheGREENactivatebutton.
� If avoterhasstartedtovotebeforethecorrectpartywasselected,themachine
operatormustdeactivateanyvotesthatthevoterhasselected,resettheparty
selectionandre-activatethemachine.
“Tagged” Voters
Thedistrictboardmembermayfindthatavoter’spollbookpageismarkedwith
oneof thefollowing“tags”:
Mail-In Ballot Voter
Avoterwhohasappliedforamail-inballotwillhavetheword“Mail-In”orthe
letter“M”inthesignaturespacewherethevoterwouldsignthepollbook.Thedistrict
boardmembershouldalsoconsultthesupplementalMail-InBallotlistforthosevoters
whoappliedforamail-inballotafterthepollbookswereprinted.Thedistrictboard
membershouldupdatethepollbookwiththisupdatedinformationonelectionday
morning.A mail-in voter cannot vote in the voting machine.
IF THE VOTER STATES THAT HE OR SHE DID NOT APPLY FOR,
RECEIVE OR RETURN A MAIL-IN BALLOT, THE VOTER IS TO BE
GIVEN A PROVISIONAL BALLOT. 20
IV. Processing the Voter
If avoterarrivesatthepollingplacewithhisorhermail-inballot,heorshehastwo
options.One,thedistrictboardmembercanadvisethevoterthatheorshecandeliver
themail-inballottotheBoardof Electionbeforethecloseof pollsinordertohave
theballotcounted.Do not, under any circumstances, accept the ballot.Two,the
votercanvotebyprovisionalballotatthepollingplace.If thevoterchoosestovoteby
provisionalballotatthepollingplace,heorshemustbetoldnottodeliverthemail-in
ballottotheBoardof Election.
Signature Required
If thevoter’ssamplescannedsignatureismissingfromthepollbook,“Signature
Required”willbemarkedinthesignatureblock.Thevoterwhosesignatureismissing
cannotvoteinthevotingmachine.Thevotercanvoteonlybyprovisionalballot.
ID Required
If“IDRequired”appearsinthevoter’ssignatureblock,thevotermustpresentone
formofcurrentandvalididentification.Asuitableidentifyingdocumentincludes,butis
not limited to:
� avalidNJdriver’slicenseorMVCnon-driver’sIDcard;
� ANYphotoidentification;
� agovernmentdocumentwiththevoter’snameandaddress;
� acurrentutilitybill;
� taxbill;or
� rentreceipt.
Oncethevoterprovidestherequiredidentification,thedistrictboardmemberwillcheck
the“Yes”boxonthevoter’spage.Thisindicatesthattheboardmemberhasseenappropriate
identificationforthevoter.The voter is permitted to vote in the voting machine.
If the voter cannot provide acceptable identification, the voter can only vote
by provisional ballot.Thedistrictboardmembershouldcheckthe“NO”boxinthe
pollbook,indicatingthatthevoterdidnotprovideappropriateidentification.The
districtboardmemberistoprovidethevoterwiththeprovisionalballotmaterials.The
IV. Processing the Voter
21
districtboardmembermustbefamiliarwiththeproceduresforProvisionalBallotVoting
asdescribedstartingonpage29of thisManual.
Affirm Address
If“AffirmAddress”appearsinthevoter’ssignaturebox,thevotermustcompletethe
“Affirmationof ResidencyAffidavit.”Thedistrictboardmemberwillreviewthe
Affirmationof Residencyanddeterminethevoter’sresidencystatusbasedsolelyon
informationprovidedbythevoter.The voter is not required to present any
identification or proof of address.Thedistrictboardmembermaynotaskthevoter
topresentanyidentificationorproof of address.Thisvotercannotbechallengedsolely
becausethereisan“AffirmAddress” inthesignaturebook.If thevoteraffirmsthathe
orshehasnotmovedandresideswithintheelectiondistrict,thevoter votes in the
voting machine.
Voters Who Have Changed Their Residence
The Voter Has Moved Within the Election District.
Ifthevoterindicatesthatheorshehasmoved,but still resides within the
election district,thedistrictboardmembermustaskthevotertocompletetheform
providedwiththeelectionmaterialsandusedbythecountytorecordthechangeof ad-
dress.The voter votes in the voting machine.
The Voter Has Moved Outside the Election District But Resides within the County.
Ifthevoterindicatesthatheorshehasmovedtoanotherelectiondistrictwithin the
county,thedistrictboardmembershoulddirectthevotertohisorhernewpollingplace
wherethevoter will vote only by provisional ballot.
The Voter Has Moved Outside the County After the Close of Registration.
Ifthevoterindicatesthatheorshehasmovedoutsideofthecountyafterthecloseof
registrationlessthan21daysbeforetheelection,andthereforecouldnotregisterinthe
22
IV. Processing the Voter
newcountyintimetovoteinthiselection,the voter may vote on the machine. Voter
mustcompletetheproperform.
The Voter Has Moved Outside the County In Time to Register In the New County.
If thevoterindicatesthatheorshemovedoutsidethecountymorethan30days
beforetheelection,thevotermaynotvoteinthiscounty.Voterwasrequiredtoregister
tovoteinthenewcounty.
Voters with Disabilities
Thedistrictboardmayencountervoterswithdisabilitiesonelectiondaysinceabout
20%of NewJerseyanscurrentlyhavesometypeof disabilityordisablingcondition.For
instance,theremaybevoterswithvisionimpairments,speechorlanguageimpairments,
mobilityconcerns,physicalorintellectualdisabilities,mentalillness,orcertainhealth
conditions.Therefore,itisimportanttounderstandwhatthelawrequiresforvoterswith
disabilities.Thefollowingguidelinesshouldbehelpfulinunderstandinghowtointeract
appropriatelywithvoterswithdisabilitiesatyourpollingsite.
The Right to Vote
Bylaw,voterswithdisabilitieshavethesamelegalrighttovoteaseveryoneelse
regardlessof theirdisability.Noonecanbedeniedtherighttovotebecauseof a
disability.Infact,thelawinNewJerseystatesthat:
� Apersoncannot be denied the right to vote based on the fact that he or she:
� hasaspecificdisability(intellectual,developmental,physical,orpsychiatric),or
� hasalegalguardian,or
� livesinaninstitution,grouphome,supportedapartment,orotherresidential
facilitythatservesindividualswithdisabilities;or
� requiresthehelpof anassistancedog
Onlyajudgecandecidethatapersonlacksthementalcapacitytovote.Again,aperson
mustbeassumedtohavethecapacitytovoteunlessajudgerulesotherwise.This determina-
IV. Processing the Voter
23
tion cannot be made by a district board member, a person’s family member, a person’s personal assistance
worker, or other staff.
Avoterwithadisabilitycannotberequiredtoanswerquestionsorfilloutaform
to“prove”hisorhermentalcapacity.Avoterwithadisabilitycannotberequiredtodo
anythingtoprovecapacity.
Voterswithdisabilitieshavethesamerightaseveryoneelsetocasttheirvotesonthe
machineinthevotingbooth.
Providing Accommodations or Assistance with Voting
Underfederalandstatelaw,voterswithdisabilitieshavetherighttoreceive
“reasonableaccommodations”atpollingplaces.Forexample,somevotersmightrequire
extratime,mightneedavotingmachinetobeadjusted,ormightneedassistanceinthe
votingbooth.Districtboardmembersmustknowhowtoadjustthemachinesif
necessary,mustknowwheretheaccessibleentrancesare,mustknowwhat
accommodationsareavailableandmustbehelpfultoanyvoterswhoneedassistance.
� Votersshouldnotbeaskedfor“proof”oftheirdisabilityinordertoreceive
accommodations.
� Someexamplesof otheraccommodationsthatvotersmightrequireare:
z Accessibleentryways,votingbooths,andvotingmachines
z Allowingavoterextratime
z Large-printballotoramagnifyingdevicetoreadtheballot
z Providingachairforavoterwhomightneedtositdownwhilewaiting
z Showingavoterhowtousethemachines
z Speakingmoreslowly
z If avotercannotspeakorreadEnglishandtherearenotbilingualboard
membersthevotercangettheassistanceof someoneof theirchoosing.
If thereisnoonetheCountyBoardof Electionshouldbecontacted.
Interacting with Voters with Disabilities
Aboveallelse,voterswithdisabilitiesshouldbetreatedwiththesamerespectand
24
IV. Processing the Voter
courtesyasothervotersatthepollingplace.Inaddition,herearesomeusefultipsabout
disabilityetiquettetohelpyouinteractappropriatelywithvoterswithdisabilities:
� Kindlyspeaktothevoterdirectly,nottoacompanion,personalassistantorstaff
member.
� Donotassumethatsomeonewithadisabilityneedshelp.Youshouldaskbefore
helping.
� Pleaseaskbeforepushingsomeoneinawheelchair.
� Aperson’swheelchair,scooter,orotherassistivedeviceisconsideredtobean
extensionof theperson’spersonalspace.Don’tleanonortouchthesedevices
withoutsomeone’sexpresspermission.
� If youareassistingsomeonewhohasavisualimpairmentbyreadingsomething
aloudforthem,youdonotneedtoraiseyourvoice.
� Speakslowlyanddirectlytoapersonwhoishardof hearing.
� Rememberthatanimalsthatassistpeoplewithdisabilitiesmustbeallowedto
accompanythepersonintothebuildingandintothebooth.Youshouldnot
petortouchtheseanimals.
� Whengreetingsomeonewhohasavisualimpairment,letthemknowwhoandwhere
youare.If youprovideassistancetotheminwalking,allowthepersonto
takeyourarm(donotgrabtheperson’sarm)andtellthemwhenyouare
approachingstairs,whenyouareabouttoturnleftorright,andwarnthemif
thereareanyobstaclesintheway.
z Remembertoaffordvoterswithdisabilitiesthesameprivacyasother
voters.
z If youbelievesomeoneishavingtroubleunderstandingyou,speak
slowlyandclearly.Trysimplifyingwhatitisyouaresaying.
z If youassistthevoterinthevotingmachine,rememberyoucannot
disclosehowheorshevotedtoanyone.
Special Rules for Processing Voters Who Need Assistance
Federalandstatelawsprovidethatvoterswhoareblind,disabledorwhocannot
readorwriteEnglishareentitledtoassistanceinvoting.Whenavoterrequests
IV. Processing the Voter
25
assistanceorindicatesthatheorsheisunabletoreadorwriteEnglish,theboard
membermustprovidethevoterwitha“DisabilityCertificateforAssistance”form,
whichisincludedamongyourelectionsupplies.Thevotermustdeclaretothedistrict
boardmembersunderoaththatbecauseof aninabilitytoreadorwrite,blindnessor
otherdisabilitythevoterisunabletocasthisorhervotewithoutassistance.
Oncethevoterhasmadethisdeclarationunderoathheorsheisentitledtothe
assistanceof apersonof hisorherownchoosing,withtheexceptionof thevoter’s
employer,representativeof theemployer,oranofficeroragentof thevoter’sunion.
Thevotermaychoosetheassistanceof thedistrictboard.Inthatcase,twoboard
membersof theoppositepoliticalpartyshouldofferassistance.Remember,however,
thatitisthevoter’schoice.Heorshecanchoosetohaveonlyoneboardmemberassist.
Thememberof thedistrictboardactingasclerkmustcompletethe“Disability
CertificateforAssistance”form.Theinformationincludedontheformmuststate
brieflywhatfactsconcerningthevoter’sdisabilityweresworntoandthenameof the
person(orpersons)whoprovidedassistancetothevoter.Thename and address of the
assistor(s)mustberecordedontheDisabilityCertificateforAssistanceform.Theperson
orpersonsprovidingassistancetothevotercannotrevealthenameof anypersonfor
whomthevotervoted,oranythingwhichtookplacewhilethevoterwasbeingassisted.
Districtboardmembersareexpectedtotreatallvoterswithcourtesyand
respectbutareparticularlyremindedthatvoterswithdisabilities,includingthosevoters
withalimitedproficiencyinEnglish,mayrequireadditionaltimeandaboardworker’s
courteousattentioninordertovote.Thepurposeof thefederalandStatevoter
assistancelawsistoencouragealldisabledvoterstoexercisetheirrighttovoteandto
allowthemtodosoinacomfortableandsecuremanner.Therefore,boardmembers
shouldextendallpossiblehelptosuchvoters.
Challenges in the Polling Place
Anyvotermaybechallengedregardinghisorherrighttovotebyindividualsknown
as“challengers.”Challengersareappointedbyeitheracandidateorgroupof candidates;
municipalorcountychairsof theDemocraticorRepublicanParties;orbythe 26
IV. Processing the Voter
proponentsoropponentsof apublicquestion.In addition, a candidate in any
election may act as his or her own challenger.Achallengerrepresentingacandidate/
partyortheproponents/opponentsof apublicquestion,mustbearegisteredvoterof
thecounty.
AppointmentpapersforchallengersmustbefiledwiththeCountyBoardof
ElectionbythesecondTuesdaybeforetheelection.TheBoardwillissuethechallenger
credentials,whichincludeacertificateof appointmentandachallengerbadge.The
challenger’sbadgemustdisplaythepersonorpartyrepresentedbythechallenger.
Challengersmustwearthechallengerbadgeatalltimeswhileinthepollingplace.
Officialchallengersareauthorizedtoremaininthepollingplaceduringthecourseof
theelection,tochallengeavoter’seligibilitytovoteandtoaskallnecessaryquestionsto
determinethisright.
Whenachallengerentersthepollingplace,thechallengerisrequiredtogivethe
districtboardof electionhisorhercertificateof appointment.Thecertificateof
appointmentindicateswhetherthechallengerhasbeenappointedtoaparticularelection
districtorappointedasanat-largechallenger.At-largechallengersareauthorizedto
movefromonepollingplacetoanotherwithinthecounty.Therefore,whenanat-large
challengerleavesyourpollingplace,thedistrictboardmustreturnthecertificateof ap-
pointmenttothechallenger.
However,unlessinstructedtodosobytheCountyBoardofElection,thedistrict
boardwillnotreturnthecertificateof appointmenttoanychallengerwhoisassigned
specificallytoitselectiondistrict.Inordertopreventconfusionandcrowdinginthe
pollingplace,onlyone(1)challengerrepresentinganyof thepartiesdescribedabove
shouldbepermittedinthepollingplaceatanygiventime.
District board members may also act as challengers by virtue of their
appointmentandstatutoryduty.
CHALLENGERSMAYCHALLENGEAVOTERONLYIFTHE
CHALLENGERHASREASONTOBELIEVETHAT:
� thevoterisunder18yearsof age;
IV. Processing the Voter
27
� thevoterisnotacitizenof theUnitedStates;
� thevoterisservingasentence,onparoleorprobationafterconvictionof an
indictableoffense;
� thevoterdoesnotresidewithintheelectiondistrict;or
� thevoterhasmovedoutof thecountymorethan30daysbeforeelectionday.
Challenge Process
� A challenger may not ask any questions directly to the voter. Allquestions
mustbedirectedtothedistrictboardmembers.
� ThechallengermustcompleteaChallengerAffidavit inwhichthechallenger
specifieshisorherreason(s)forchallengingthevoter.
� Onecopyof theChallenger’sAffidavitisgiventothechallengedvoter.
� ThedistrictboardwillretaintheoriginalChallengerAffidavitandreturnittothe
CountyBoardof Election.
� WhenthedistrictboardreceivesaChallengerAffidavit,adistrictboardmember
willreadaloudtothevoterthe“InformationforChallengedVoter”sheetwhich
explainsthevoter’srights.Thechallengedvotershouldfilloutandsignthe
“ChallengedVoterAffidavit”andprovideasuitableidentifyingdocumentfor
inspection.TheacceptableidentifyingdocumentsarelistedontheChallenged
VoterAffidavit.AfterthevotercompletestheAffidavit,thedistrictboard
membersmustreviewtheAffidavitandtheidentifyingdocumentandthenvote
onwhethertopermitthevotertovote.
Atleastthreedistrictboardmembersmustvoteagainstthevotertoupholdthechal-
lengeandpreventthevoterfromvoting.A tie vote of 2-2 (or 3-3 if there are six dis-
trict board members) works in the voter’s favor and the voter will be permitted to
vote in the voting machine. Each and every district board member must sign the
ChallengedVoterAffidavitandprovideacopytothechallengerandthevoter.The
districtboardwillretaintheoriginalAffidavitandreturnittotheCountyBoardof
Election.Oncethevoterhasvoted,thechallengeends.
28
IV. Processing the Voter
Upholding the Challenge
Ifthedistrictboardupholdsthechallengeanddeterminesthatthevotermaynotvote,
thedistrictboardmustprovidethevoterwiththeChallengedVoterInformationsheetand
informthevoterofhisorherrighttoappearbeforeaSuperiorCourtJudgeforareviewof
thematter.IfthevotergoestocourtandtheJudgedecidesinthevoter’sfavor,theJudge
willissueanOrderpermittingthevotertovoteinthevotingmachine.Thevotershould
signhisorhernameontheOrderbeforeleavingthecourtroom.Whenavoterpresents
theOrdertothedistrictboard,thedistrictboardmemberwillinstructthevotertosign
theOrderagaininthepresenceof thedistrictboard.Thedistrictboardmembermust
comparethesignaturesand,if heorsheissatisfiedthatthesignaturesmatch,theboard
memberwillissuethevoteraVotingAuthorityslip.THE DISTRICT BOARD MUST
RETAIN THE COURT ORDER, PLACE IT IN THE POLL BOOK AND RE-
TURN IT WITH THE ELECTION SUPPLIES AT THE CLOSE OF POLLS.
Challenger Do’s and Don’ts
� Challengersmaynotspeakdirectlytothevoters.
� Challengersarenotpermittedtohandleanyelectiondocumentsortositatthe
tablewiththedistrictboardof election.
� Achallengermaynotapproachthevotingmachinetoexamineanycounters.
� Achallengermay,however,inspectthezero-proof reportattheopeningof the
pollsandthevotetotalprintedoutatthecloseof polls.
� Alistof thosethingsachallengermayandmaynotdo, “Challengers`Do’s
andDon’ts,”isprovidedintheVoter’sBillof Rightswhichmustbeprominently
displayedinthepollingplace.
Paper Ballots in Polling Places
Voting by Provisional Ballot
Aprovisionalballotisapaperballotthatisgiventoapersoninthepollingplaceif
thereisanyquestionregardinghisorherrighttovotewhichthedistrictboardcannot
resolve.
IV. Processing the Voter
29
Voters Who Must Vote By Provisional Ballot
� Avoterwhosenamedoesnotappearinthepollbookathisorherpollingplace.
� Avoterwhosevoterinformationisdeficient.Anexampleisthevoterwhose
samplesignatureismissing.
� Avoterwhohasmovedwithinthecountyandfailedtonotifythecommissioner
of registrationbeforeelectionday(thatvoterwillnotbeinthepollbook).
� Avoterwhofailedtoprovidetherequiredidentification.
� Avoterwhosepollbookpageismarked“Mail-In”or“M”butwhostatesthathe
orshedidnotapplyfor,receive,orreturnamail-inballot.
Provisionalballotsaresuppliedtoeachdistrictboardof electioninasealed
Orange(orBlue)ballotbag.THE PROVISIONAL BALLOT BAG MUST RE-
MAIN SEALED UNTIL THE BOARD WORKER IS REQUIRED TO ISSUE A
PROVISIONAL BALLOT.
Whenavotermustvotebyprovisionalballot,adistrictboardmembershouldlocate
andunsealtheorange(orblue)provisionalballotbag.Theprovisionalballotbagwill
usuallycontain25to30ballotsandenvelopeswithdetachableAffirmationStatements,
pencils,aninventorysheetandanumberedplasticseal.Inadditiontothesematerials,
thedistrictboardmembersshouldlocatecopiesof theNoticetoProvisionalBallot
Voter,whichareincludedamongtheelectionsupplies.Afterremovingallthesupplies,
thedistrictboardmustcounttheprovisionalballotsandenvelopesthenrecordthe
numberof ballotsontheprovisionalballotinventorysheet.Thenumberedsealshould
beplacedintheKeyEnvelope.
Beforehandingtheprovisionalballotandenvelopetothevoter,thedistrictboard
membershouldinstructthevoterhowtofillouttheAffirmationStatementwhichisat-
tachedtotheprovisionalballotenvelope.The district board member must tell the
voter that the Affirmation is to be completed in its entirety and that it is NOT to
be removed or detached from the envelope.Thedistrictboardmemberistoinstruct
thevotertoplacethevotedballotinsidetheprovisionalballotenvelopeandsealthe
envelopebeforereturningittothedistrictboard. 30
IV. Processing the Voter
Thevotermustbetoldthatif thevoterspoilsaballotorenvelope,heorshemay
returnthespoiledballotandreceiveanewballot.If thevoterreturnsaspoiledballot,
theboardworkershouldfoldtheballotinhalf,marktheballot“Spoiled”andplaceitin
theprovisionalballotenvelope,marktheenvelope“Spoiled”andplaceitinthe
ProvisionalBallotbag.
Aftergivingtheseinstructions,thedistrictboardmemberistogivethevotera
provisionalballotandenvelopewiththeattachedAffirmationanddirectthevotertoa
securityscreenorprivateareatocompletetheballot.ForaPrimaryElection,theboard
memberwillprovidetheRepublicanvoteronecoloredballotandenvelope,andprovide
theDemocratvoteronedifferentlycoloredballotandoneenvelope.
When the voter returns the ballot, the district board member, who is in
charge of the provisional ballot bag, must review the Affirmation for
completeness.If itisnotcompleted,thevotermustbetoldtofillinthemissing
information.
Thereafter,thevotercanplacetheballotintheprovisionalballotbagorhandthe
ballottotheboardmemberforplacementinthebag.Finally, before the voter leaves
the polling place, the district board member must provide the voter with the
Provisional Ballot Information Sheet which explains how the voter can find out
whether or not his or her ballot was counted.Thisinformationisalsofoundonthe
VotersBillof Rightswhichispostedprominentlyinthepollingplace.Thisinformation
isalsofoundontheVotersBillof Rightswhichispostedprominentlyinthepolling
place.
Voting by Emergency Ballot
Emergencyballotsarepaperballotswhichareusedifavotingmachinebecomesinop-
erable.Inaddition,ifthereisconsiderabledelayinthepollingplacecausedbytheuseof
thevotingmachineaudiokit,emergencyballotsshouldbeavailablefortheothervoters.
Inelectiondistrictswithtwovotingmachines,emergencyballotsshouldnotbeused
unlessbothmachinesareinoperable.Beforeopeningtheemergencyballotbox,if the
IV. Processing the Voter
31
machinebecomesinoperable,thedistrictboardshouldfirstexaminethemachineto
determinetheproblemandseeif itcanbecorrectedbythedistrictboard.
Opening Emergency Ballot Box
If thedistrictboardcannotcorrecttheproblem,theboardshouldimmediately
notifythecustodianof votingmachines,explaintheproblem,andreceiveadvicefrom
thecustodianandrequestauthorizationtouseemergencyballotsuntilthemachine
problemiscorrected.TheSuperintendentortheCountyBoardof Electionwill
dispatchatechniciantothepollingplacetorepairorreplacethevotingmachine.
Inthemeantime,iftheSuperintendentorCountyBoard,asthecasemaybe,hasau-
thorizedtheuseofemergencyballots,thedistrictboardshouldlocatetheemergencybal-
lotboxandattachittothevotingmachine.Note: The district board must compare
the numbers on the green seal of the emergency ballot box with the numbers on
the voting machine key envelope. If they do not match, the district board must
tell the Superintendent or the County Board before opening the box.
If therearenoproblemswiththesealsand/orpermissionhasbeengrantedtoopen
theemergencyballotbox,thejudgeof thedistrictboardmusttakethesestepsinthefol-
lowingorder:
� breakthegreennumberedseal,
� opentheemergencyballotbox,
� removethecontentscontainingtheemergencyballotsandtheenvelopes
containingthenumberedwhiteandredseals,
� removethewhiteandredsealsandcomparethenumbersonthesealswiththose
onthefaceof theenvelope,andnoteontheenvelopeanydiscrepancies,
� placetheredsealbackintheenvelopeandreturntheenvelopetotheballotbox,
� showtheemergencyballotboxsothatthosepresentmayseethattheboxisnow
emptyexceptfortheenvelopecontainingthenumberedredseal,
� placethegreennumberedsealinthekeyenvelope,
� closeandre-sealtheemergencyballotboxwiththenumberedwhitesealremoved
fromtheenvelopeinthebox,leavingopentheslotinthelid.
32
IV. Processing the Voter
Contents of Emergency Ballot Box
Theemergencyballotboxshouldcontainatleast30emergencyballots,atleast30plain
whiteenvelopes,andaStatementforEmergencyPaperBallotsVoted.Alsoincludedinthe
emergencyballotbox,orelsewhereindistrictboardmembers’electionsupplies,areaprivacy
screen,aclipboard,andafastenertoholdtheenvelopestogether.
Voting By Emergency Ballot
Adistrictboardmembershouldkeeptheballotsinclearsightof thedistrictboardat
alltimes.Emergencyballotvotersareprocessedinthesamemannerasanyvoterentitled
tovoteonthevotingmachine.Only voters who are entitled to vote on the voting
machine are permitted to vote by emergency ballot.
Afterprocessingthevoterandissuingavotingauthorityslip,thedistrictboard
membershouldinstructthevotertotakethevotingauthoritysliptothedistrictboard
memberwhohascustodyof theemergencyballots.Thevoterwillhandthevoting
authoritysliptothedistrictboardmemberwhowillhandthevotertheemergencyballot
andaplainwhiteenvelope.
Theboardmembermustadvisethevoterthatif thevoterspoilstheballotthevoter
shouldfoldandplacethespoiledballotintheplainwhiteenvelopeandreturnittothe
boardmemberwhowillprovidethevoterwithasecondballotandenvelope.Theboard
membershouldmarktheoriginalenvelope“SPOILEDBALLOT.”Theboardmember
shouldinstructthevoterthatwhenthevoterhasfinishedmakinghisorherselections,
thevoteristofoldthevotedballotandplaceitintheplainwhiteenvelopeandreturnitto
theboardmember.Finally,theboardmembershoulddirectthevotertoa
designatedprivatevotingareaorsecurityscreen.
NOTE:ITISAGAINSTTHELAWTOALLOWTHEBALLOTTOBEVOTED
OUTSIDETHEPOLLINGBOOTHORSCREENAREA.DONOTGIVETHE
VOTERABALLOTUNTILTHEPOLLINGBOOTHORPRIVACYAREAIS
READYFORTHEVOTER.
IV. Processing the Voter
33
Whenthevoterreturnsthevotedballottotheboardmember,thevotermayplace
theballotintotheballotboxormayhandtheballottotheboardmembertodepositthe
ballotintheemergencyballotbox.
NOTE:ALLBALLOTSMUSTBEINSERTEDINTOTHEPLAINWHITE
ENVELOPEBEFORETHEYAREHANDEDTOTHEDISTRICTBOARD
MEMBER.
Resume Voting on the Voting Machine
Whenthevotingmachinehasbeenrepairedorreplaced,thedistrictboardmust
resumevotingonthemachine.Inthemeantime,thedistrictboardmustsecureallthe
unvotedemergencyballotsandplainwhiteenvelopeswiththeirelectionsupplies.A
districtboardmembermustrecordonthe“StatementforEmergencyPaperBallots
Voted”thevotingauthoritynumberof thelastvotertouseanemergencyballot.If a
votingmachinefailstooperateonmultipleoccasionsduringanysingleelection,a
“StatementforEmergencyPaperBallotsVoted”mustbecompletedoneachoccasion.
REMEMBER: THEEMERGENCYBALLOTBOX,SECUREDWITHTHE
WHITENUMBEREDSEAL,MUSTREMAININFULLVIEWOFTHEDISTRICT
BOARDMEMBERSDURINGTHEHOURSOFTHEELECTION.WHENEMER-
GENCYBALLOTSAREUSED,ATTHECLOSEOFTHEPOLLS,THEWHITE
SEALWILLBEREPLACEDBYTHEREDSEAL.(SEECLOSINGTHEPOLLS).
V. Closing the PollsAnnouncing the Close of Polls
Closing time
At8:00p.m.,thejudgepublicallyannouncesthepollsareofficiallyclosed.(Inschool
boardelections,thepollsofficiallycloseat9:00p.m.)Thesameclockusedtoopenthe
pollsshouldbeusedtoclosethepolls.Theoutsideentrancetothepollingplaceshould
beclosedatthistime. Absent an Order from a Judge of the Superior Court, the
polls MUST close at the appointed time. 34
IV. Processing the Voter
Voters Who Are On Line to Vote at Closing Time
Anyvotersonlinetovoteatthecloseofpollsmustbeallowedtovote.Thedistrict
boardmemberscannottakeanystepstoclosethebooksorthevotingmachineuntilallvoters
presenthavebeenprocessed.Adistrictboardmembershouldbepositionedattheend
of thelineindicatingwhichvoterswereinlineatthetimethatthepollsofficiallyclosed.
Post-voting Procedures in the Polling Place
Challengers,candidates,andmembersof themediaaswellasthegeneralpublicmay
bepresentatthistime,aslongastheydonotinterferewiththeclosingprocedures.
Closing the Voting Machines
TheinstructionsforclosingthevotingmachineswillbeprovidedbytheCounty
Boardof Election.
Printing Reports
Electiontapesforalldistrictsmustbeprinted.Theopeningelectionzero-proof
tapeandtheclosingelectionresultstapes,cartridgesandkeysmustbeinventoriedand
returnedinthepropersupplybags.
Provisional Ballots
InventoryofProvisionalBallots.Atthecloseofthepolls,thedistrictboardsmust
inventorytheprovisionalballots.Thenumberof“invalid”ballots(placedinenvelopesmarked
“SPOILED”),usedprovisionalballots,unusedprovisionalballots,andmissingprovisionalballots
mustberecordedontheinventoryformprovidedwiththeprovisionalballotbag.
SigningofProvisionalBallotInventoryForms.Thedistrictboardmembersmustsign
theinventoryformwhenitiscompleted.Ifadistrictboardmemberdissentsfromthe
inventory,heorsheshallstatethereasonandsigntheform.
SealingtheProvisionalBallotBag.Afterplacingalltheprovisionalballotsand
V. Closing the Polls
35
envelopesinthebag,thedistrictboardmembersmustsealthebagwiththenumbered
sealprovidedinthebag.
Canvassing and Tallying the Emergency Ballots
Afterthepollsclose,andthemachinetotalshavebeenrecorded,thedistrictboard
mustcountemergencyballots,if theywereused.
Counting Rules
Therequirementsforcountingapaperballotapply.Eachvotemusthavethe
appropriatemarkplacedintheproperplaceontheballottobecounted.Aninvalidvotein
oneplacedoesnotnecessarilyinvalidatetheentireballot.However,anyunauthorizedballot
markingswhichthedistrictboarddetermineswereintendedtoidentifyordistinguishthe
ballotwillresultintherejectionof theentireballot(thatiscalleda“marked”ballot).
Amisspelledwrite-invotedoesnotnecessarilyinvalidatethevote.Anyballotthat
thedistrictboarddeterminestobevoidmustbeidentifiedassuchontheenvelopein
whichitwasenclosed.
Procedure
First,aboardmemberistoremovethewhitesealfromtheemergencyballotboxand
openstheballotboxinfullviewof thepublic.Second,thejudgewillremovetheballots
oneatatimeandreadthevotescast.Thejudgewilldothisinviewof theinspectorwho
willlookattheballottomakesurethatitwasreadcorrectlyandrecordthevote(s)on
theEmergencyBallotTallySheet.Envelopesmarked“VOID”or“SPOILED”shallbe
setaside.Thedistrictboardclerkwilltallytheresultsof theemergencyballotsasthey
arereadbythejudge.
Beforeremovingthenextballotfromtheballotbox,thejudgeshallreplacetheballot
previouslyreadbackintoitsplainwhiteenvelopeandhandittotheinspector.Eachenvelope
shallbenumberedconsecutively(i.e.,1,2,3,etc.)andstrungtogetherinnumericalorder.
The district board members shall total all the votes cast by emergency
36
V. Closing the Polls
V. Closing the Polls
ballotsonthetallysheet.ALL boardmembersmustsignthecompletedtallysheet.After
counting,onecopyofthetallysheetisplacedintheemergencyballotbox.Thesecondcopy
ofthetallysheetisplacedinthesupplybaginconjunctionwiththeothermachineresultsand
returnedinthesupplybagtothecountyelectionofficeormunicipalclerkdependingon
yourcounty’sproceedure.Thedistrictboardistoaddtheemergencyballotresultstothe
votingmachinetotalsintheproperplaceonthereturnsheet.
Afterallthevotedemergencyballotsarecounted,tallied,andstrungtogetherin
numericalorder,thedistrictboard must stringalltheplainwhiteenvelopesmarked
“VOID”or“SPOILED”attheendof thesamestring.Thedistrictboardmembers
thenplacethetallysheetandALL emergencypaperballots—voted,unvoted,void,and
spoiled--intotheemergencyballotbox.Finally,thedistrictboardmembersshallimmedi-
atelysecuretheballotboxwiththerednumberedseal.
Publish the Results of the Election
Adistrictboardmembershallannouncethefinalresultsof theelection,post
theresultsonthewallof thepollingplace,orprovidecopiesof theresultsasdirectedby
theCountyBoardof Election.
Collecting of all Election Materials and Supplies
ThedistrictboardmembersshouldlowertheAmericanflag;takedownallsigns;
collectinformationalmaterials;pollbooks;votingauthorityslips;courtorders;posters;
andgatheranyothersupplies.Thismaterialmustbesecuredforreturndelivery.
Return of Materials
Thecountiesusevariousproceduresforthereturnofelectionmaterials. YourCounty
Boardof Electionwillprovidetheinstructionsforthereturnof yourelectionmaterials.
District board members must not re-pack poll books in the machines at the end
of the day even if that is how they were delivered because they will be subject to
the 15 day period of impoundment after the election. Itisof theUTMOST 37
importancethatasecurechainof custodyismaintained--allitemspertainingtoelection
resultsshouldbeinventoriedandsignedforateachexchange.
Pay Voucher - Last But Not Least
Alldistrictboardmembersmustcompletethepayrollsheetandsignthepayvoucher.
Thecompletedpayrollsheetshouldbepackedwiththesuppliestoassurepaymenttothe
districtboardmembers. Eachdistrictboardmembermustsignthepayvouchertoassure
promptreceiptof hisorhercheck.
38
V. Closing the Polls