SAN ANGELO, Texas — Both democrats and republicans have been recruiting thousands of poll watchers in Texas and across the country for this November's election as politicians, including president trump, warn people of voter fraud and intimidation at the polls. However, it's important to know that poll watchers cannot just be any citizen that feels called to observe the democratic process - it's a position you have to be appointed to.
Under Texas law, a poll watcher must be appointed by either a candidate for office, a political party or a proponent or opponent of a ballot measure. A poll watcher must also be registered to vote in the territory covered by the election and they must wear badges that identify themselves as poll watchers. Each precinct is limited to two poll watchers per appointing authority on duty at any given time.
So, what can poll watchers do?
Poll watchers are permitted to observe almost every aspect of the election. They can:
- Look for instances of electioneering (campaigning in close proximity to a polling place).
- Watch for tampering with voting equipment.
- Watch for people bribing voters.
- Monitor the installation and testing of voting machines returns prepared by election officials.
- Monitor the delivery of records from a precinct to a central counting station and the tallying of votes.
If they notice a violation, poll watchers must report it to the precinct's election clerk or judge, but they are not permitted to discuss the matter any further unless invited to do so by the site's election judge.
What can poll watchers not do?
Poll watchers are restricted from doing practically anything other than observing. Poll watchers can not:
- Talk to voters or election officials, other than to report a violation.
- Leave the precinct without an election judge's permission, unless the poll watcher has worked for five consecutive hours.
As a reminder, early voting in the state of Texas starts on Tuesday, October 13. If you're planning on applying to vote by mail, the elections office needs that application by October 23.