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Election Observer Training 2008

Election Observer Training 2008. Elections Certification & Training Program elections@secstate.wa.gov 360.902.4180. Official Election Observers protect the integrity of the election by impartially observing ballot processing activities. Official Election Observers. WAC 434-261-020.

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Election Observer Training 2008

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  1. Election ObserverTraining2008 Elections Certification & Training Program elections@secstate.wa.gov 360.902.4180

  2. Official Election Observers protect the integrity of the election by impartially observing ballot processing activities. Official Election Observers WAC 434-261-020

  3. Represent a major political party Must be identified by identification tags Must sign a roster Serve by appointment of a major political party Current major parties are the Republican and Democratic Parties. Official Election Observers WAC 434-261-020

  4. Who may not serve? Designated poll watchers assigned to observe activities at the poll sites Election workers who work for the county processing ballots Election Observers RCW 29A.44.020

  5. Before Primary / General Election County Auditors must train election observers in: specific procedures used by the county equipment used in processing and tabulating ballots conduct of the observers duties Training may be waived for those observers who have been previously trained Election Observers RCW 29A.12.120

  6. Understand the following ballot processes Inspection of ballots prior to tabulation Duplication Tabulation Security Election Observer Duties RCW 29A.40.100 WAC 434-250-110

  7. Mail ballots and poll site ballots tabulated at the counting center are inspected before tabulation Every vote response position is inspected to determine if the votes on the ballot will be tabulated correctly by the tabulation system. Ballot Inspection WAC 434-261-070

  8. Ballots are inspected for: Physically damaged ballots Ballots that cannot be read by the tabulation system Vote corrections Write-in votes without a mark in the response area Marks different from the ballot instructions Ballot Inspection WAC 434-261-070

  9. If a ballot does not pass inspection It is referred to the Canvassing Board Many ballot issues are determined by the Secretary of State’s manual, “Voter Intent, Statewide Standards on What is a Vote.” (The Canvassing Board may delegate action on these ballots to the Auditor’s staff.) Ballot Inspection WAC 434-261-070 WAC 434-261-080

  10. Ballot Inspection For counties that tabulate ballots at the poll site: Poll site ballot counters return overvoted and blank ballots to the voter for correction Because voters receive a second chance to correct their ballot, ballots counted at the poll site require no inspection RCW 29A.44.340 WAC 434-261-070

  11. “Ballot duplication” - a true copy of valid votes from ballots Permits the correct tabulation of intended votes Directed by the canvassing board Ballots are duplicated by teams of two people The original ballot is not altered A log is kept of each duplicated ballot The original and duplicate are marked with the same identifying number The duplicate ballot is counted and the original ballot is securely stored. Ballot Duplication RCW 29A.60.125 WAC 434-261-100

  12. Digital tabulation system duplication Ballot resolution is the equivalent of ballot duplication. Ballots are scanned and resolved as soon as they are received by the Auditor’s Office. Resolved ballots are stored electronically until tabulation. Tabulation is placing the electronic files into the tabulation system. Ballot Duplication RCW 29A.60.125 WAC 434-261-100

  13. Tabulation of Ballots • Optical scan ballots may not be fed through the vote tallying system until 7:00 a.m. Election Day • Results cannot be printed or released prior to 8:00 p.m. Election Day RCW 29A.40.110 WAC 434-250-110

  14. Certification of Results The County Canvassing Board, in an open public meeting, certifies the election results: • 15 days after Special and Primary Elections • 21 days after the General Election RCW 29A.60.140 & 190 WAC 434-262-025

  15. Voted ballots must be in secure storage whenever the ballots are not being processed. Secure storage detects any unauthorized access Logs are kept as a record of who & when ballots were accessed. Numbered seals may be used to secure containers or rooms containing ballots. Seal logs record the seal numbers and the staff placing and breaking the seals. Other security measures that will detect access to voted ballots Ballot Security WAC 434-250-110 WAC 434-261-045

  16. After the ballots are run through the ballot tabulator, they are secured in a container with a numbered seal The sealed containers may only be opened by the Canvassing Board, to conduct recounts, or by court order Ballot Security RCW 29A.60.110, 29A. 60.120 WAC 434-261-130 WAC 434-262-190

  17. Observe every aspect of the process Logic and accuracy test Processing mail ballots Counting center activities Certification Recounts (if applicable) Different election observers may be assigned to each part of the process Election Observer Duties RCW 29A.40.100 WAC 434-250-110

  18. Logic and Accuracy Tests

  19. The official test of the tabulating system L&A tests are conducted for any primary, special, or general election The test verifies the ballot counting system will correctly count votes cast for All candidates All measures Logic and Accuracy Test RCW 29A.12.130

  20. An official election observer from each major political party should attend Test will be conducted even if requested observers do not attend Observers may not obstruct testing Logic and Accuracy Test WAC 434-335-290

  21. Logic and Accuracy Tests • The County is solely responsible for L&A testing for special elections • The Secretary of State is present at tests for the primary and general elections only • Emergency L&A testing may be conducted, if necessary WAC 434-335-310 WAC 434-335-340

  22. Official election observers are asked to sign the logic and accuracy certificate. Signing the certificate as an observer does not mean: You have responsibility for ballot counting You are verifying the correct programming Your signature attests to observation of the completed test. Logic and Accuracy Tests

  23. Every ballot style All responses for all candidates/issues Overvotes and undervotes Responses for write-ins Ensure all candidates/issues appear on the appropriate ballot style What is Tested? RCW 29A.12.130

  24. Logic &Accuracy TestSecretary of State’s Role • Certify the test complies with law • Assist in resolving discrepancies • Retain copies of L&A certification WAC 434-335-330

  25. Processing Mail Ballots

  26. The County Auditor shall: Notify major political party chairs of the date ballot processing will begin Request observers for the processing and tabulation of mail ballots (Absence of observers will not prevent the county from processing ballots) Requestfor Observers RCW 29A.40.100 WAC 434-250-110

  27. Ballots must be available in the Auditor’s Office 20 days prior to an election Military and overseas ballots must be mailed 30 days prior to an election. All other ballots must be mailed 18 days prior to an election Mailing Out Mail Ballots RCW 29A.40.070

  28. Processing begins as soon as ballots are received by the Auditor’s Office. The signature on the ballot is compared to the signature on file The post-mark date is checked. Only ballots postmarked by Election Day are valid Open outer envelopes and security envelopes Inspect and duplicate ballots. The County Canvassing Board usually delegates these tasks to the Auditor’s staff. Processing Mail Ballots RCW 29A.40.110

  29. The Counting Center

  30. Request for Observers The County Auditor notifies each major political party in writing: All aspects of counting center proceedings The number of representatives necessary to observe process RCW 29A.60.170 WAC 434-261-020

  31. Counting Center ActivitiesYou Should Observe • Receiving Board • Ballot Inspection • Ballot Duplication • Tabulation • Reconciliation • Security • Before and after tabulation

  32. Designated persons receiving the sealed ballot containers from the polling places Ballots are logged in, recording: Precinct name/number Time The ballot transport carrier seal number is compared to number on the transfer log Notify Auditor if seal is missing or broken Receiving Board WAC 434-261-040

  33. Manual Count of Precincts

  34. Manual Count of Precincts Official election observers may request a manual count of ballots before ballots are tabulated on Election Day • Only ballots at counting centers and mail ballots may be manually counted • Official observers must mutually agree on • one office to count, and • up to three precincts or six batches to be manually counted • After the manual tally, the number is compared to the results printed by the tabulation system RCW 29A.60.170

  35. The requested manual count may begin no earlier than 8:00 pm on Election Day for poll site counties. Completed no later than 8:00 pm on the second day after Election Day for mail ballot counties. Manual Count of Precincts RCW 29A.48.060 WAC 434-250-340

  36. Recounts

  37. If there are less than 2,000 votes AND less than .5% spread in votes for: Only the votes for the affected candidates in determining if the threshold is met In the Primary Election, recounts occur between the 2nd and 3rd place candidates In the General Election, recounts occur between the 1st and 2nd place candidates Recount - Mandatory Machine RCW 29A.64.021

  38. Recount - Mandatory Manual Ballots are recounted by hand when Statewide positions: If the difference is less than 1,000 votes AND less than .25% For regional races: If the difference is less than 150 votes AND less than .25% The recount may be conducted by an alternative method if both candidates agree. RCW 29A.64.021

  39. Any ballot measure other than a state-wide issue Top two candidates are close in a primary When Is A Mandatory Recount Not Required?

  40. Top 2 Primary

  41. Voters no longer have to declare a party at the time of voting Voters may vote for candidates that prefer a party and/or state no party preference. The two candidates receiving the most votes advance to the General Election. The Top 2 Primary

  42. Election Observers • Attend county training • Understand election law • Learn county procedures • Observe election procedures • Report any concerns to the appropriate county official • Are respectful and follow observer rules

  43. Election Observers cannot: Touch ballots or ballot containers Obstruct the process Distract the workers Remember your job title is “observer.” Election Observers

  44. …objective observation of the procedures helps ensure the integrity of our elections…. - Sam Reed, Secretary of State

  45. For More Information About Elections Go to http://www.secstate.wa.gov/elections research election law find your County Auditor’s contact information learn more about election administration Contact the Secretary of State or your local County Auditor

  46. Election ObserverTraining Certification & Training, Elections DivisionEmail:elections@secstate.wa.govTelephone: (360) 902-4180Toll-Free: (800) 448-4881TDD/TTY(800) 422-8683 Last Updated September 2008

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