FAQ
In this page you will find answers to questions on 1) The Election Board, 2) Planning an Effective Absentee Ballot Program and 3) Planning a Successful Voter Registration Drive.
The Election Board
Q: Who are the members of the Election Board?
A: The Judge of Election, the Majority and Minority Inspectors, the Clerk, and the Machine Inspector.
Q: How is the Judge of Election chosen and what are the duties?
A: The Judge of Election is elected to a four-year term. The Judge of Elections is in charge of the polling place and brings required materials to the polling place. The Judge of Election also assigns duties to the rest of the Election Board.
Q: How are the Majority and Minority Inspector and what are their duties?
A: The candidate for Inspectors of Elections who receives the highest number of votes is elected Majority Inspector. The runner-up, regardless of party, is elected Minority Inspector. The Inspectors help set up the polling place and have voters sign in.
Q: What is the Clerk?
A: The Clerk is a member of the Election Board appointed by the Minority Inspector. The Clerk is usually the runner-up of the Judge of Election race. The Clerk usually checks voter rolls to make sure voters are allowed to vote in that particular polling place.
Q: What are the Overseers of Election?
A: The Overseers of Elections supervise the Election Board to make sure the election is fair. There are two overseers; both are appointed by the Court of Common Pleas.
Q: What do Poll Watchers do?
A: Poll Watchers are assigned to a polling place by either a political party or a candidate to ensure proper voting. They cannot enforce but presence often prevents misconduct. Election Day Procedures
Q: What preparations need to be made before Election Day?
A: The County Board of Elections must prepare full guidance instructions and other materials to tally voters. The Election Board must take and sign an oath before performing any election duties.
Q: What must the Election Board do on the morning of the election before the polls open?
A: The Election Board must prepare the voting machines to be used and display items such as sample ballots and the poll book.
Q: What are the restrictions of people in a voting place?
A: Only the District Election Board, poll watchers, election overseers, and those voting or waiting to vote are allowed in a polling place. (Those who have already voted must leave). A police officer may not be within 100 feet of a polling place unless except for casting a vote or if requested by the Judge of Election to respond to a disturbance.
Q: What are the rules about politicking at a polling place?
A: No electioneering is allowed within 10 feet of a polling place Neither the Election Board nor poll watchers may wear may wear campaign buttons or paraphernalia in the polling station. In addition, no partisan materials can be distributed by anyone in a polling place nor can partisan suggestions be made.
Q: How does the voting process work?
A: When someone enters the polling place, the officer in charge of the poll book announces the name to the other Election Board members in case they want to challenge that voter. The officer also checks the poll book to see if the voter is eligible to vote. If the voter is not in the book, they might be in the wrong polling place and the board will try to find where the voter is supposed to vote, if they can’t find it, the voter may cast a provisional ballot.
Q: How does the challenge process work?
A: Any person in a polling place can challenge the identity or residence of any voter. If challenged, one must be put under oath by the Judge of Election, sign a Challenge Form and have a qualified voter from the division sign an affidavit asserting that the challenged voter is qualified to vote in that division.
Q: What does the Election Board need to do after the polls have closed?
A: At 8PM, all qualified voters waiting to vote must be able to. Once the last voter has voted, the election officers lock and seal the election machines. Everyone expect for the Election Board, candidates and qualified watchers must leave the voting room. The election officials make sure that the number of votes on the machine is consistent with the number of name written in the numbered list of voters. The Judge of Election and Minority Inspector reads the results for each candidate and ballot question. In addition, all materials and paperwork relating to Election Day and the results are put in a sealed envelop or container and given to the Judge of Election who then forwards it to the county board.
Planning an Effective Absentee Ballot Program
Q: What are the rules for applying for an absentee ballot?
A: Anyone can file for an absentee ballot application until 5 PM of the last Tuesday prior to the day of an election. If a voter meets the qualification to vote by absentee ballot, the ballot must be mailed to the county board by 5 PM on the Friday preceding the election.
Q: How can someone apply for an emergency absentee ballot?
A: In a sudden emergency, an Emergency Application for Alternative Ballot may be submitted until 8PM on Election Day along with a supporting affidavit. The Alternative Ballot must be received by 8PM on Election Day
Q: When making an absentee ballot program, who should I contact first?
A: The constituents targeted for initial contact should be young Republican voters (18-23) who might be attending college away from home on Election Day. You should contact them first through direct mail and then through a phone call several days later.
Q: Who should I contact next?
A: A second mailing should be sent to those that are favorable you your candidate, regardless of party, excluding the 18-23 group you have previously contacted. When making a phone bank, prioritize as follows:
• All favorable Republicans and Democrats, age 60 and over
• Remaining Republicans (not yet identified as favorable), age 60 and over.
• All remaining favorable Republicans, age 24-59
• All remaining Republicans (not yet identified as favorable), age 24-59
Q: What else needs to be done in regards to an absentee ballot drive?
A: When calling a voter whose preference has not yet been determined, make sure they are favorable to your candidate before sending them an application. When you have contacted everyone you need to, go to the county board and see who among those you have contacted have been approved for an absentee ballot. Then remind thoses voters by mail to send the ballot in and when the deadline is.
Planning a Successful Voter Registration Drive
Q: What preparations need to be made for your registration drive?
A: You need to determine what divisions you need to canvass and prioritize. To canvass in 3 hours, an average-sized division will need four people. Provide your canvassers with all the tools they will need to make their efforts successful: Clipboards, State Rep. business cards, absentee ballot applications, pens, etc.
Q: How should canvassers be prepared and what are they supposed to do?
A: Make sure all your canvassers are well informed and know how to correct fill out the voter-registration form: Make sure your canvassers make an effective pitch for the party and/or your candidate and make sure they are informed about local issues. Make sure your canvassers are honest and don’t register people who might vote against your candidate. Assign your canvassers specific streets: Provide them with street lists and tell them to go to every house regardless of affiliation as someone may have moved in. Update information if a voter no longer lives at an address.