When monitoring the electoral process, poll watchers are subject to strict rules

CHARLESTON, SC (WCSC) – When you go to the polls to cast your vote, you may notice that several people are watching everything that’s going on.

They are called poll watchers and they are allowed to do so. However, they have certain rules they must follow.

The South Carolina Board of Elections Poll Managers’ Handbook states that observers should wear a badge stating who they are and what candidate or party they represent. They must also provide a letter signed by the candidate or appropriate party official stating that the vote observer is authorized to serve as an observer in the district.

Some people monitoring polling places are observers, but unlike poll watchers, they are not employed by the electoral commission, just as a poll watcher is and is not appointed by a political party or candidate. However, observers may observe the election at the election official’s discretion.

They can observe the election process, take notes and obtain information, and ask questions of the election official or manager.

However, there are a few things they are not allowed to do: they cannot interfere with elections, take photos or videos at polling places, communicate with voters, or harass workers or voters. They also may not physically touch any voting materials or equipment, move or reposition voting tables, chairs or booths, or sit at or prowl around work tables, or view confidential voter information on any computer terminal, ballot or document .

If a poll watcher wants to challenge a voter, he or she can only approach an election official, not the voter.

Charleston County Board of Elections Executive Director Isaac Cramer says observers who don’t follow the rules will face consequences.

“If at any time during voting a voting observer approaches you, it is against the rules of the polling station,” he says. “The clerk of that polling place in every polling place in South Carolina, that polling place has a chief clerk, you find that person, you tell them about your experience and you get to talk to an election observer. If this happens repeatedly, the poll follower will effectively be removed from the premises for breaking the rules.”

Cramer argues that ultimately, observers just observe; they don’t improve the situation, they don’t talk to voters and they don’t interfere with election officials and their work.