When you vote at an Early Voting site or Election Day polling place, you may see poll watchers observing voters and poll workers. Read below for information about who are poll watchers and what they can and cannot do in the voting site.
What Are Poll Watchers?
Candidates, political parties, and political committees can designate observers to stay inside Early Voting sites or Election Day polling places. These observers are known as poll watchers. They monitor the election process to make sure voters and poll workers are following election laws. If the poll watcher notices anything, he or she can talk with the clerk at the voting location. Poll watchers are prohibited from talking to voters or intimidating anyone.
What Are the Requirements to be a Poll Watcher?
You must be a registered voter in Wakulla County to be a poll watcher here. You cannot be a candidate in the election or a law enforcement officer.
How Do I Become a Poll Watcher?
To be a poll watcher, you must be designated by a political organization and then authorized by the Elections Office.
Candidates for office, political parties, and political committees sponsoring ballot measures designate poll watchers. If you are interested in being a poll watcher, you should contact one of these organizations.
How Does a Political Organization Designate Poll Watchers?
The party chair, committee chair, or candidate sends a list of poll watchers to the Elections Office. The file should be emailed to [email protected]. Separate lists must be sent for Early Voting sites and for Election Day polling places
The DS-DE 125 form is the form used to designate poll watchers. That form can be found at the Secretary of State, Division of Elections website: https://files.floridados.gov/media/696684/dsde125.pdf
These forms are also available on our website for download under FORMS or by clicking HERE.
Once we receive the file, we research the list and create a badge for each authorized poll watcher.
Deadlines for Submitting Lists and Mailing Badges
| Type |
Deadline for political organization to submit lists
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Deadline for Elections Office to mail badges
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Early Voting
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July 27 at Noon (14 days before Early Voting begins)
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August 3 (Seven days before Early Voting begins)
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Election Day
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August 6 at Noon (14 days before Election Day)
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August 13 (On or before the Tuesday before the election)
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Where and When Do I Observe Voting?
Each party, campaign, and political committee can have one poll watcher in each Early Voting site or Election Day polling place.
You can be a poll watcher for Early Voting, Election Day, or both. You will have separate badges for Early Voting and Election Day voting.
The political organization that designated you may want you to observe at a specific location or time. Ask them about your assignment.
What Can I Do as a Poll Watcher?
When you arrive at the voting location, you must immediately check-in with the clerk and produce photo identification. You must wear your poll watcher badge. Poll Watchers can:
- Stay inside the voting location and observe voters and poll workers.
- Stay inside the no-solicitation zone. The zone extends for 150 feet around the entrance to each voting location and secure ballot intake station.
- Observe the secure ballot intake station at each Early Voting site.
- Leave the voting location and return later in the day.
- Ask the clerk questions.
- Use a silent electronic device.
- Issue voter challenges.
What Am I Prohibited from Doing as a Poll Watcher?
Poll watchers cannot obstruct or disrupt the election. This means you cannot:
- Speak to voters. This includes voters within the 150-foot no-solicitation zone.
- Speak to poll workers (except for the clerk).
- Interact with the voting equipment.
- Come closer to the check-in table or privacy booths than is reasonably necessary to observe.
- Volunteer to help voters complete their ballot. You can only provide assistance if a voter specifically requests assistance from you and completes paperwork.
- Take photos, videos, or audio recordings.
- Have a phone conversation inside the voting location.
- Wear partisan or political clothing, including stickers, hats, pins, signs, bags, phone cases, or other displays.
- Remove or conceal your poll watcher badge.
- Bring a firearm within the voting location (even if you have a concealed weapons permit).
- File a false voter challenge.
- Intimidate voters, threaten, or coerce voters.
The clerk has the authority to maintain order at the voting location. If you do not follow these rules, the clerk will ask you to leave.
How Can I Prepare to be a Poll Watcher?
You should familiarize yourself with election operations so that you understand what is going on inside the voting location.
The Polling Place Procedures Manual contains an overview of Early Voting and Election Day operations. You can obtain a copy from the Division of Elections website.
In addition, this website contain many additional useful resources.
The organization that designated you to be a poll watcher may provide training or resources. Contact them for further information.
What Should I Bring with Me?
You should be prepared for a lengthy day. Poll workers will not provide you with food, drink, a chair, or other items. Depending on the voting location, you may not have access to a restroom, electrical outlets, or wi-fi service.
You should bring the following supplies to the voting location:
- Photo identification and poll watcher badge (required)
- Food
- Bottled water
- Medicine
- Cooler (if needed for food, drink, or medicine)
- Pen and paper
- Portable charger (for electronic devices)
- Folding chair
Who Should I Contact with Questions?
- If you have questions about your specific assignment as a poll watcher, contact the organization that designated you to be a poll watcher.
- If you have questions about voting operations in the voting location, ask the clerk.