Volunteer as a Poll Watcher

Poll watchers will be especially important this year with a write-in candidate for County Commissioner, Danielle Garbe Reser, and challenges the Auditor’s Office has experienced in staffing and having the required Certified Election Administrators. Also, in the August 2 primary, a disproportionate number of ballots with Hispanic names on them were rejected. Particularly critical will be observing the Canvassing Board process, which likely will be November 28 and 29 (the latter is the deadline to certify local election results). Each party has a designated poll watcher although the public is also able to observe. Only designated Democratic poll watchers are able to lodge formal complaints on behalf of the party if needed. This is an important function that has become even more critical to the democratic process with the rise in contested elections in recent years.

The first poll watcher training will be Friday, October 21, at 4:00 p.m., and a second will be Tuesday, October 25, at 11:30 a.m. Both trainings will be at the WWCD office, 343 S. Second Ave. Sign up for poll-watching shifts using this form.