Category: The Process

Learn how you can become involved in the process and make a difference.

Why Poll Watch?

Why is poll watching so important during a General Election?  A Poll Watcher does nothing more than sit at the polls and cross off names as voters vote.  From there, the list is then taken to a phone bank calling those who have not voted reminding them today is Election Day and how important their vote is.  This is what takes the average number of voters to above average.  You would be surprised at the number of people who were “going to stop on their way from home from work and forgot.”  Or those who were fed up with everything, but because they received a personal phone call asking them to vote, will go and vote.  Or those who need a ride to the polls, which we will setup.  Poll Watching is what takes the average voter turnout and takes it above average.

Are you available for an hour or two on Election Day to poll watch or make phone calls reminding  people to vote?  Is so, please contact us at rockstargop@verizon.net

Poll Watcher Training on 10/19/2010 @ 7:00 pm

Snyder County will be implementing Swarm and Storm again for the 2010 Election.  This process makes a huge impact on voter turnout.  We are in need of poll watchers and phone call makers on Election Day, Tuesday, November 2, 2010; if you are able to give an hour or more, please contact us at rockstargop@verizon.net.

There will be an informational meeting for Poll Watchers, or anyone interested in the process on Tuesday, 10/19/2010 at 7:00 pm.

Information for Poll Watchers – poll watcher info 2010

What could go wrong at a polling place?

Everything, says an experienced poll worker.  Click on the link  to read an interesting story – What_could_go_wrong_at_a_polling_place

 

If you can help volunteer a few hours on Election Day, please email us at rockstargop@verizon.net.  Snyder County has never had the drastic scenarios as stated in this article, but we’ve had situations occur that the candidates were thankful we had poll watchers as their eyes and ears.

 

Poll Watching Information

 

Poll Watchers are an import part of Election Day and ensuring a victory for our candidates.  Below is information regarding Poll Watchers

Responsibilities of a Poll Watcher – if you’d like to volunteer as a Poll Watcher on November 2, 2010, please email us at rockstargop@verizon.net for responsibilities click on link – Poll Watcher review

In order to be a Poll Watcher you must have a Poll Watcher Certificate, if you’d like to volunteer on November 2, 2010 please email us at rockstargop@verizon.net to volunteer and obtain a Poll Watcher Certificate  to view a sample click on the link – Poll Watcher Certificate Sample

As a Poll Watcher, you will be given a “striker sheet” and cross off names as identified voters vote.  To view a striker list, click on the link – Poll Watcher List Sample

Poll Watchers are the eyes for the Voters.  Things to look for include – Citizen PollWatcher Check List

If a problem arises, the Poll Watcher will call one of the Campaign County Coordinators who will contact the County Board of Elections and State Republican Legal Counsel.  The Poll Watcher should then fill out an Incident Report – Incident Report Form

PA Statute 25 PS Section 2650 makes it legal to have a Poll Watcher to ensure a honest election takes place –

(a) Any party or political body or body of citizens which now is, or hereafter may be, entitled to have watchers at any registration, primary or election, shall also be entitled to appoint watchers who are qualified electors of the county or attorneys to represent such party or political body or body of citizens at any public session or sessions of the county board of elections, and at any computation and canvassing of returns of any primary or election and recount of ballots or recanvass of voting machines under the provisions of this act. Such watchers or attorneys may exercise the same rights as watchers at registration and polling places, but the number who may be present at any one time may be limited by the county board to not more than three for each party, political body or body of citizens.
(b) Every candidate shall be entitled to be present in person or by attorney in fact duly authorized, and to participate in any proceeding before any county board whenever any matters which may affect his candidacy are being heard, including any computation and canvassing of returns of any primary or election or recount of ballots or recanvass of voting machines affecting his candidacy.
(c) Any candidate, attorney or watcher present at any recount of ballots or recanvass of voting machines shall be entitled to examine the ballots, or the voting machine and to raise any objections regarding the same, which shall be decided by the county board, subject to appeal, in the manner provided by this act.

Absentee Ballots

Absentee ballots play a large part in turning out the vote and winning the campaign.  Encourage those voters with a conflict on Election Day to apply for an absentee ballot.  People to consider approaching are:

  • Elderly People – who cannot go to the polls.
  • College Students – who are away at college.
  • Handicapped People – who are not able to go to the polls.
  • Military Personnel – who are stationed away from home.
  • Truck Drivers or anyone else who travels frequently on business – who may not be in town on Election Day.
  • Doctors, Nurses, or anyone on call – who could get called in at the last minute and not be able to vote.
  • Medical Reasons – if the voter has a medical procedure scheduled and know they will not be able to go to the polls on Election Day.
  • Vacation Time – if a person knows they will be on vacation on Election Day.

You can request an absentee ballot from your local Board of Elections or download one at the PA Department of State website.  Upon completing the application and mailing it, you will receive an absentee ballot.  Or if you visit you County Board of Elections, you can fill out the application, and vote absentee in the office.  Please note, that if you receive an absentee by mail, YOU must hand deliver it to the County Board of Elections, or you may mail it.  Another person CANNOT deliver the absentee ballot for you.  Also note, the date the absentee is to be returned is the date it MUST be to the County Board of Elections, not postmarked.

Every vote does count and one vote could make or break an election.  It is very important if there is a slight chance a person cannot make it to the Polls on Election Day between 7:00 a.m.  – 8:00 p.m. that they fill out an absentee ballot.