An election director in Lycoming County is urging those headed out to vote on Nov. 8 to respect and be kind to everyone you meet at the polls.
From 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. that Tuesday the polls will be open. Elections are typically days when emotions are running high, so it’s important to maintain dignity at these stations where there will be representatives there for a wide range of purposes.
“It is more important than ever that voters, watchers, parties, media, and other local stakeholders in elections treat our poll workers with the kindness and respect they deserve, which I believe on the whole is absolutely the case — however we did have a few circumstances in the primary where that was not the case,” said Forrest K. Lehman, Lycoming County director of elections and registration.
More watchers have been seen than usual, which is fine with Lehaman, but what was concerning in the primary in May was the unusually adversarial posture that some watchers adopted with “our poll workers,” he said.
“The county’s poll workers live in the precincts where they work; they are our family, neighbors and friends, and they are some of the county’s finest public servants,” Lehman said, adding: “Unfortunately, Voter Services had to visit five or six polling places during the primary just to resolve tensions between watchers and poll workers, and we have never experienced that kind of problem before.”
What qualifies someone to be a poll watcher?
A watcher must be a registered voter of Lycoming County. Candidates cannot be watchers, he said.
A watcher must produce a Watcher Certificate in order to enter the polling place, he said.
Meanwhile, watchers are not limited to serving at the polling place to which they are initially assigned on the certificate; they may serve at any polling in which the candidate who appointed them is running for office, or any polling place in which the political party that appointed them has candidates of that party running for office, he explained.
“A candidate may appoint up to two watchers at each polling place in which the candidate is running for office,” Lehman said.
“In a November or special election, a political party may appoint up to three watchers at each polling place in which candidates of that party are running for office. Political parties cannot appoint watchers in a primary,” he said.
“Only one watcher per candidate and one watcher per political party may be present inside the polling place during the election. Watchers must be positioned away from the registration table and voting equipment, he said.
“Watchers cannot wear or bring political materials inside a polling place, solicit votes, or engage in any other activity inside a polling place that could be construed as electioneering,” Lehman said.
“Watchers inside a polling place may use mobile phones or similar devices, provided such use does not delay or distract from the voting process and occurs away from the registration table and voting equipment,” he said, adding, “However, video recording and photography by watchers is prohibited while the polls are open.
Watchers cannot directly engage with voters or interfere with the orderly process of voting at the polling place. All questions must be directed to the Judge of Elections.”
Each poll watcher must obtain a certificate from the County Board of Elections, which states the poll watcher’s name and the name of the candidate, party, or political body the poll watcher represents.
Poll watchers are required to show their certificates to the local board of elections when requested to do so.
The entire list for poll watchers requirements is at www.dos.pa.gov.
Meanwhile, outside of the polling stations, standing at least 10 feet from the entrance, will be election day “greeters,” as they are unofficially referred to by members of the political parties.
These people are representing their political parties and candidates and often hand out materials to assist the voters in their choices.
“We will have greeters wearing Lycoming County Republican Committee apparel,” said Don Peters, LCRC chairman. He anticipated Democrats also will have representatives. A county Democratic Party spokeswoman was not immediately available to be reached.
Greeters can be there for the election day cycle from 7 a.m. until polls close at 8 p.m.
William Miele, representing the county Democratic Committee, said the committee will have poll greeters and they will follow the rules such as remaining 10 feet from the front entrance.
The Democrats also will have badges and provide literature for those who would like to take it. If they do not want it, they will not be harassed, Miele said.
Such greeters at the polls must follow certain parameters. Among them, they will not stand in front of voters, or block the doors. Individuals handing out campaign literature, must remain at least 10 feet away from the entrance to the polling place.
They may speak to the voters outside in an informational manner.
Peters noted how there may be more greeters at the primary election when there typically are many candidates seeking their party nomination.
There also may be greeters with the Republican and Democratic parties as well as Libertarians and Green Party or third-party affiliates.