Illinois Freedom Alliance

What Is A Poll Watcher?

Pollwatchers sometimes referred to as challengers, checkers or watchers, are election observers who aid in ensuring the free and fair conduct of elections. Pollwatchers may be in the polling place before the polls open, during the actual voting hours, after the polls close, and during early voting.

The number of pollwatchers allowed in the polling place at any one time is limited by law. A candidate may always appoint two pollwatchers per precinct, while all other organizations may only appoint one pollwatcher per precinct. The only exception to this is that established political parties may appoint two pollwatchers per precinct at each General and Consolidated Election. If over-crowding interferes with the orderly conduct of the election, the judges of election may limit the number of pollwatchers. The election judges may cause the removal of any pollwatcher who is disrupting the election process.

A pollwatcher must be registered to vote in the state of Illinois and must be affiliated with the party, organization, or candidate he/she is representing.

Pollwatchers may represent established political parties, candidates, qualified organizations of citizens, state nonpartisan civic organizations, or organized proponents or opponents of ballot propositions. Each pollwatcher must have credentials issued by the election authority (county clerk or board of election commissioners) or by the Illinois State Board of Elections. These credentials must be presented by the pollwatcher to the election judges immediately upon entering the polling place.

Specific Rights of A Poll Watcher:

• Before the first ballot is cast, pollwatchers may observe that the ballot box is empty;
• Pollwatchers may position themselves near enough to the election judges to examine the applications for ballot;
• Pollwatchers may observe as the judges compare the voter applicant’s signature on the application with the signature on the registration records;
• Pollwatchers may watch as the judges initial and distribute the ballots to voter, and as the ballots are deposited into the ballot box after the voter has voted;
• Pollwatchers may challenge a person’s right to vote. A reason for the challenge must be stated. (Possible reasons include the person voted earlier in the day, the person moved, or the person lacks qualifications);
• The judges of election determine whether or not to sustain a challenge;
• Pollwatchers may observe the counting procedures after the polls close and at the central counting location(s) established by the election authority.