What’s the difference between Poll Worker & Poll Watcher?
Poll Worker:
Nonpartisan, Paid (Clerks, Judges, Inspectors, Checker, Precinct Worker)
Poll Watcher:
Partisan, Volunteer (Observers, Monitors, Challengers)
MARYLAND
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
In order to be a poll worker (Challenger, Watcher, Election Judge, Registration Volunteer): You must be registered to vote in Maryland, 18+, party declared, a resident of county, complete training. $150+ To signup, contact your Local Board of Elections.
HOW POLL WORKERS ARE CHOSEN:
Each polling place shall have an equal number of election judges from the majority party & the principal minority party. If total number of election judges for a precinct is 6 or more: a local board may provide 1 or more election judges who are not registered with either political party; and a local board may provide 1 or more election judges who are minors. The election director, with approval of local board, shall appoint election judges for a term that begins on Tuesday that is 13 weeks before each statewide primary election.
Approx DEADLINE to sign up to be a Poll Worker
January 28, 2020
POLL WATCHER INFO:
The following persons or entities have the right to designate a registered voter as a challenger or a watcher at each place of registration and election: the State Board for any polling place in the State; a local board for any polling place located in the county of the local board; a candidate; a political party; any other group of voters supporting or opposing a candidate, principle, or proposition on the ballot. An election judge shall permit an individual other than an accredited challenger or watcher who desires to challenge the right to vote of any other individual to enter the polling place for that purpose. A majority of the election judges may limit the number of nonaccredited challengers and watchers allowed in the polling place at any one time for the purpose of challenging the right of an individual to vote. A nonaccredited challenger or watcher shall leave the polling place as soon as a majority of the election judges decides the right to vote of the individual challenged by the challenger or watcher. An election judge shall allow the following individuals to have access to the voting room at a polling place: a voter; an individual who accompanies a voter in need of assistance in accordance with § 10- 310(c) of this subtitle; polling place staff; a member or other representative of the State Board or local board; an accredited watcher or challenger; an individual under the age of 18 who accompanies a voter; and any other individual authorized by the State Board or local board.
Who is Authorized to Challenge a Voter’s Eligibility on Election Day?
An election judge shall permit an individual other than an accredited challenger or watcher who desires to challenge the right to vote of any other individual to enter the polling place for that purpose. The right of an individual to vote may be challenged at the polls only on the grounds of identity.
Resources for Maryland:
- Retweetable Tweet with links for Maryland here.
- Shareable FB post & downloadable graphic here.
- GoogleDoc here.
POLL WORKER (and Poll Watcher) Requirements & links to sign-up in All 50 States, STATE BY STATE Including:
- QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
- HOW POLL WORKERS ARE CHOSEN
- POLL WATCHER INFO;
- Who is Authorised to Challenge a Voter’s Eligibility on Election Day?
- & Links to retweetable TWEETS & shareable FB Posts for each State
- Twitter THREAD with links here.
- Facebook shareable Album with downloadable graphics here.
- On the Postcards for America website here.
- On the Unhack the Vote Website here.
