The document provides an overview of poll watching and ballot review panels in Georgia elections. It defines poll watchers as individuals who observe election procedures without disrupting voting. It outlines the process for political parties and candidates to designate poll watchers and their roles and restrictions. It also describes how ballot review panels are assembled to manually review ballots rejected by tabulators and attempt to determine voter intent, such as in cases of overvotes or write-ins. The document provides guidance on the composition and scope of authority of these panels under Georgia law.

1. Georgia Elections
Poll Watching
Created by
Joel E. Natt and Alice O’Lenick
Forsyth and Gwinnett County Board of Elections

2. Why Are We Here?
The adoption of SB 202 O.C.G.A. § 21-2-408 now requires that all
Poll Watchers be certified as being trained.
A Version of This Presentation is Online:
https://www.gwinnettrepublicans.org/become_a_poll_watcher

3. Overview
• What is a Poll Watcher?
• Who can have Poll Watchers?
• What are the types of Poll Watchers?
• Elections Types & Locations
• Do’s & Don’ts of a Poll Watcher
• Conduct & Prohibitions
• Things to Remember

4. What is a Poll Watcher?
Role Description: A poll watcher is an individual designated to
observe the election process at polling places or early voting locations.
Their role is to monitor the proceedings without violating voter privacy
or disrupting the election.
Qualifications:
• Must be a qualified registered elector of the county where the
election district (polling place) is located.
• Should receive official county credentials in advance.
• Assigned to specific precincts.

5. Procedure
1.Submit your name by the defined deadlines to the Superintendent of
Elections in your county.
2.Upon registration, you’ll be assigned to specific precincts by the
county.
3.Collect your badge from the county election office.
4.Carry a letter of appointment from your GOP office.
5.Completion of training provided by the Secretary of State, Political
Party, Political Body, or candidate is essential.
• Remember, poll watchers play a crucial role in ensuring transparency
and fairness during elections. 🗳️👀

6. Who can have a Poll Watcher?
1) An independent or nonpartisan candidate.
2) A political party or political body (e.g., Democrat, Libertarian,
Republican, etc.…).
A partisan Candidate needs to submit the names they desire to their
party/body.
Note Candidates on the Primary, Election or Runoff Ballot are
ineligible to serve as a poll watcher. (O.C.G.A § 21-2-408(e))

7. Party Candidate Designating
a Poll Watcher
• In a primary or primary runoff, candidates are entitled to submit the name of
one (1) poll watcher for each precinct and each voting location where their
name appears on the ballot.
• The names must be submitted to the executive committee of the political
party with which the candidate qualified.
• In the case of a primary, the names are to be submitted at least twenty-one
(21) days prior to the date of the primary and in the case of a runoff at least
fourteen (14) days prior to the date of the runoff.

8. Types of Poll Watchers
• Statewide Poll Watchers:
• Each Political Party or Political Body that is registered and has nominated
a candidate for statewide office may designate, at least 14 days prior to
election or runoff, no more than 25 statewide poll watchers.
• Each Independent candidate may designate no more than 25 statewide
poll watchers.
• Each Nonpartisan candidate running in a statewide election may designate
no more than 25 statewide poll watchers.

9. Types of Poll Watchers
• Local Political Party Watchers
• Each Political Party or Political Body that is registered and has
nominated a candidate on a County/Local ballot may designate, at least
14 days prior to election or runoff, no more than two (2) poll watchers
per precinct within the County/Local Election area.
• Local Political Candidate Watchers
• These are individuals that are not affiliated with a recognized Political
Party or Body.
• Each Candidate may have one (1) poll watcher per precinct within the
County/Local Election area.

10. • Candidates must submit names to the Political Party they are seeking to
represent for a Primary twenty-one (21) days prior to the election &
fourteen (14) days prior to a runoff.
• The Executive Committee of the Political Party shall submit those names
at least seven (7) days prior to the election or start of Advance in person
voting.
• At least three (3) days prior to the beginning of early voting or the date
of the primary or runoff, copies of the designation letters issued to the
poll watchers by the party officials are to be delivered to the election
superintendent of the county in which the poll watchers are to serve.
Timetable for Submitting Poll Watchers

11. Authorization Letters
• Letters are required for all Poll Watchers (both Local and Statewide)
• All trained Poll Workers must be issued Letters of Authorization by the
entity they are representing.
• Letters must include the following:
• Full Legal Name of the Poll Watcher (must match Driver's License)
• Address of the Poll Watcher
• Precinct in which the Poll Watcher is to serve*
• Name and Date of the Election
• Dates they are authorized for if for Early Voting dates.
* If multiple dates at different locations, it must be identified
which location and date for that location on their letter.

12. Types of Elections & Locations
• The following types of Elections can have Poll Watchers:
• Primary Election
• Primary Runoff
• General Election
• General Runoff
• Special Election
• The following locations are the authorized areas that a Poll Watcher can be assigned:
• All Advance Voting Locations
• Election Day Precincts
• Tabulation Center for Absentee Ballot Handling
• Centralized Tabulation Center for Election Returns
(if different from ABM Location)

13. Tabulation Centers
• In counties or municipalities using voting systems or optical
scanning voting systems, Poll Watchers can serve in the locations
designated by the superintendent within the tabulating center.
• Each Political Party or Body may have 2 poll watchers in each Election.
• Each Independent may have 1 poll watcher in each Election.
• Each Nonpartisan may have 1 poll watcher in each Nonpartisan Election.
• Designated locations shall include the check-in area, the
computer room, the duplication area, and such other areas as the
superintendent may deem necessary to the assurance of fair and
honest procedures in the tabulating center.

14. Do’s & Don’ts of a Poll Watcher
• DO - Walk around the Polling/Tabulation areas to observe what is occurring.
• DON'T - Stand within 6 feet of any voter at a Ballot Marking Device (BMD).
• DO - Take notes via traditional writing methods (e.g. Pen/Pencil and Paper).
• DON'T - Use electronic device to take notes or photos
• DO - Only talk or ask questions of the Poll Manager and only when they are
not helping a voter.
• DON'T - Interrupt a Poll Manager when they are assisting a voter.
• DON'T - Use Cell Phone or Data tablet inside the polling place.

15. More Poll Watcher Don’ts
• DON'T talk with any Voters inside or outside the polling location.
• DON'T try to Influence voters:
• Inside the Poll; or
• Inside the prohibited elections zone (150 feet of entire Building
Not just the entrance)
• DON'T disrupt the Election Operations.
• DON'T park within 150 feet of the building If you have any Campaign
Stickers on your vehicle.
• DON'T handle or touch any elections equipment or materials
• DON'T eat or drink in the voting areas
• DON'T check elector lists

16. Conduct & Prohibitions
• If a poll watcher persists in interfering with the conduct of
the election or in violating any of the provisions of O.C.G.A.
§ 21-2-408 after being duly warned by the poll manager or
superintendent, he or she may be removed by such official.
• Any infraction or irregularities observed by poll watchers
shall be reported directly to the superintendent, not to the
poll manager. O.C.G.A. § 21-2-408(d)

17. On Election Day
• Poll Watchers that will begin at 7:00 AM should arrive no earlier than 6:40 AM
and introduce themselves and present their Paperwork to the Poll Manager.
• Verify/Check that all the BMD & Scanners are reflecting ZERO before anyone
uses a machine to cast a ballot (before 7:00 AM)
• Make periodic records of the numbers on the Optical Scanners.
• Record the closing numbers and observe all closing procedures
once voting is completed.

18. From the poll pad the voters ballot card will be issued.
Poll pad
Ballot Marking Device (BMD)
Ballot Printer
O

20. Scanner Accepting ballot
Number of ballots cast

21. Items to Consider Documenting
• All the BMD reflecting 0 at time the Poll Opens
• All Scanning Devices reflecting 0 at time the Poll Opens
• Time the precinct opened
• How long the voting line is (periodically)
• How long it takes people to get through the line
• How many people are in line at time the poll closes
• What time the poll closed
• Number of total votes cast at the end of the day

24. Items to Consider Documenting
• Any campaigning within the 150 Feet of the Poll/Line
• Did any Election Workers assist any voters?
• What time the last voter cast a vote at the Poll (if after 7:00
PM)
• Total # on each BMD and Scanner periodically (e.g. Opening,
9 AM, 12 noon, 3 PM, 5 PM, and closing)
• How many people were sent elsewhere and when
• How many Provisional Ballots were issued after 5 PM

28. You can get printout from the scanner
• § 21-2-455. Canvass and Return of Votes
• "... If the voting machine is equipped with a mechanism for printing paper
proof sheets the poll officers shall immediately print not less than four
proof sheets and as many more as may be requested by those present, to
the extent of the machine's capacity. ..."

29. The law also says...
• § 21-2-455. Canvass and Return of Votes
• "... The chief manager and an assistant manager shall then, under the scrutiny of the
other assistant manager, and in the order of the offices as their titles are arranged on the
machine, read from the counters or from one of the proof sheets, as the case may be,
and announce, in distinct tones, the designation or designating number and letter on
each counter for each candidate's name, the result as shown by the counter numbers, the
votes recorded for each office for persons other than nominated candidates, and the
designation or designating numbers and letters on each counter, and the results as shown
by the counter numbers for and against each question voted on. The counters shall not
be read consecutively along the party or body rows or columns but shall always be read
along the office columns or rows, completing the canvass for each office or question
before proceeding to the next.. ..."
• I have never seen this done...

30. Provisional Ballots (O.C.G.A. § 21-2-418)
• Reasons for a Provisionals issued before 5 PM
• Individuals believed to register to vote before the deadline
• Individuals that do not have ID with them
• An individual that appears on the Challenged Voter List
• If the equipment fails and prevents the use of Voting Machines
• Additional Reasons for a Provisional Ballot after 5 PM
• Individuals that cannot get to their polling location after 5 PM
• All voters casting a ballot after 7 PM in Federal Elections if
the poll closing time is extended by Court Order.

31. Things to Remember
• The Election Superintendent and the poll officers are the sole
authority in the polling place on Election Day.
• No other person may handle or touch election supplies and
materials.
• Poll watchers are intended to observe the conduct of the election
and their prime concern is the integrity and fairness of the
election.

32. Things to Remember
• Poll Watchers are official observers only!!!
• They may observe the conduct of the election before, during and after the polls close.
All poll watchers must be approved and listed.
• Poll Watchers must wear their name badge at all times and bring designated
letter.
• A poll watcher should show their letter designating him or her a poll watcher to the poll
manager of the precinct when entering the polling location.
• Poll Watchers may not wear anything advertising a candidacy or advocating
for or against an issue.
• Electioneering or any kind of campaigning must not take place in the polling place or
within 150 feet of the entrance of the polling place during voting hours.

33. Ballot Review Panel
Adjudication Panel

34. Overview
• What are Ballot Review Panels?
• How are Ballot Review Panels Assembled?
• How many Ballot Review Panels Can there be?
• Intent of the Voter
• Questionable Marks
• Handling Write-In for names on the Ballot
• UOCAVA

35. What are Ballot Review Panels?
• Ballot Review Panel(s) are assembled by the Election Superintendent for
the purpose of reviewing various ballots prior to them being processed for
that election.
• They serve the purpose of attempting to interpret the intent of the
voter when there is a reported overvote or other issue that has caused the
ballot to be rejected by the central tabulation system.
• They ensure that any ballot marked in a manner indicating the desire of a
voter to cast a vote for a specific candidate shall be counted.

36. What are Ballot Review Panels?
(Continue)
Part of Section O.C.G.A. § 21-2-483(g)(2)(A):
• The panel shall manually review all ballots rejected by the tabulator
under Section 21-2-483(g)(1) and shall determine by majority vote whether
the elector's intent can be determined as described in subsection (c) of Code
Section 21-2-438 and, if so, said vote shall be counted as the elector
intended.
• In the event of a tie vote by the vote review panel, the vote of the
election superintendent or designee thereof shall control.

37. Vote Review Panel
A Vote Review Panel at work
One Democrat
One Republican
One “Other”

38. How are Ballot Review Panels Assembled?
Per O.C.G.A. § 21-2-483(g)(2)(A):
In a partisan election, the vote review panel shall be composed of the election
superintendent or designee thereof and one person appointed by the county executive
committee of each political party and body having candidates whose names appear on the
ballot for such election, provided that, if there is no organized county executive
committee for a political party or body, the person shall be appointed by the state
executive committee of the political party or body.
In a nonpartisan election, the panel shall be composed of the election
superintendent or designee thereof and two electors of the county, in the case of a county
election, or the municipality, in the case of a municipal election, appointed by the chief
judge of the superior court of the county in which the election is held or, in the case of a
municipality which is located in more than one county, of the county in which the city hall
of the municipality is located.

39. What is the allowable scope of the
Vote Review Panel?
Understanding the Intent of the Voter:
Per O.C.G.A. 21-2-438(c):
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter to the contrary and in
accordance with the rules and regulations of the State Election Board promulgated
pursuant to paragraph (7) of Code Section 21-2-31, if the elector clearly and without
question the candidate for whom he or she desires to cast his or her vote,
notwithstanding the fact that the elector in indicating his or her choice may have
marked his or her ballot in a manner other than as prescribed by this chapter.

40. Questionable Marks or
defaced or mutilated ballots
Per O.C.G.A. 21-2-439:
Decisions concerning questionable marks on ballots or defacing
or mutilation of ballots and the count to be recorded thereon
shall be made by the assistant manager; and, if they disagree,
the chief manager shall make the decision.

43. There can be multiple Vote Review Panels
Per O.C.G.A. § 21-2-483(g)(2)(B):
The election superintendent may create multiple vote review panels in
accordance with Section 21-2-483(g)(2)(A) to handle the processing of such
ballots more efficiently.
Upon the creation of such panels, the election superintendent shall
designate one of the panels as the chief vote review panel. In the event of
a disagreement on such additional panels, the ballots in question shall be
reviewed by the chief vote review panel and decided in accordance with the
procedures contained in Section 21-2-483(g)(2)(A).

44. Ballots that come before a Vote Review Panels
What type of Ballots may come before a Vote Review Panel
• Write-In Ballots
• Damaged Ballots
• Ballots Requiring Duplication (e.g., UOCAVA)
• Machine detected Overvotes or Undervotes

45. Handling Write-ins on Ballots
SOMETIMES DETERMINATION IS NOT EASY, YOU MUST ALL AGREE

46. Write-In Option…

47. Write-in Votes
Part of Section O.C.G.A. § 21-2-452(d):
An elector may, at any election, vote for any person for any office,
for which office his or her name does not appear upon the voting
machine as a candidate, by a write-in ballot containing the name of
such person, such ballot to be deposited, written, or affixed (but
not by the use of a sticker or paster) in or upon the appropriate
receptacle or device provided in or on the machine for that purpose,
and in no other manner.
With these exceptions, no write-in ballot shall be cast on a voting
machine for any person for any office if the person's name appears
on the machine as a candidate for that office, and any ballot so cast
shall be void and not counted.

48. What is a UOCAVA Ballot?
UOCAVA
• Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act
UOCAVA citizens are U.S. citizens who are active members of the Uniformed Services, the Merchant
Marine, and the commissioned corps of the Public Health Service and the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration, their eligible family members, and U.S. citizens residing outside the
United States.
This Act provides the legal basis for these citizens' absentee voting requirements for federal offices.
• This Act allows for the transmission of Absentee Ballots via electronic means to the voter
(e.g., Email or Web Download).
• In Georgia, the Voter must still return the ballot via Postal options.

49. Voters voting a Party instead of a Candidate
Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB)
- 52 USC section 20303
• Only can be used for with Federal Elections
• Write in of Candidate Name or Party

50. Questions?

51. What do I do Now
If trained by the video you need to notify:
Your county political party (chairman) or an Elections Board
member of your intent to be a poll watcher/adjudicator in
order to receive and appointment letter.

52. How do I get my credentials?
You will your appointment letter via email, please print it out and
carry it with you at all times.
You will pick up your badge at your county Elections Office prior
showing up at the precinct location

53. Who do I give my notes to?
Please send your daily notes to your Election Board member’s
email or your County Party chairs email.

54. What do I look for when observing?
Are voter’s using cellphones in the polling location
Are voters in line being approached by other people
Are food, water, or gifts being given to voters
Are people wearing sloganed or campaign articles
Are a lot of provisional ballots being issued
For advanced, in-person voting are absentee ballots being
collected with out ballot drop box

55. What do I look for on voting machines?
On poll pads: Should be in a black metal tip frame with a black metal tray
On BMD: 6 red zip-ties should be at the edges: 2 at the top, 2 halfway down, 2 at
bottom
On the scanner there should be two zip ties toward the front below scanning
slot and at least 1 zip-tie on the righthand slide

56. BMD Zip Ties Location
A Vote Review Panel at work

57. Thank you
ALL THE INFORMATION YOU NEED TO KNOW! YOU ALL ROCK!