Microsoft PowerPoint - 2020 New Election Judge Training original• Greeter Judge • Roster Judge • Registration Judge • Demonstration Judge • Ballot Judge • Ballot Counter Judge • Head Judge
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Station Review
Basic Qualifications
To serve as an election judge, you must • Be eligible to vote in Minnesota
• Be able to read, write & speak English
An election judge cannot be • Candidate in that election (appear on ballot in precinct)
• Relative of a candidate on ballot o Spouse, parent, child, stepchild, sibling, step-sibling
• Person who temporarily or permanently lives in same house as candidate
• Election judges who are relatives cannot serve together in same precinct during same shift o Spouse, parent, child, stepchild, sibling, step-sibling
• An appointed challenger
Must complete a two-hour election judge training course before serving • Certification valid for two-year election cycle
Head Judges and Health Care Facility Judges are required to complete an additional hour of training
Wright County conducts training and tracks certification
Polling Place Assignment
Responsibility of Municipal or School District Local Election Administrators • Recruit and appoint election judges
• Assign shifts and election judge roles o Head Judge, Greeter Judge, Roster/Registration Judge
(aka Poll Pad Judge), Demonstration Judge, Ballot Judge, Ballot Counter Judge
o Relay precinct-specific information or procedures
• Payroll
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Time Off From Work M.S. 204B.195
State law allows time off from work to be an election judge
Notify employer in writing 20 days in advance • Provide appointment letter
Employer can reduce wages by amount paid
You can choose to take vacation day
Preparing for Election Day
Food/beverage
Plan ahead (care of pets or loved ones, transportation …)
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Election Day
For state elections, all Wright County polling places are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Opening the Polls
Supplies & Equipment Red bin, red binder, ballots, DS200, AutoMARK, Poll
Pads, precinct-specific supplies Opening the Polls Checklist Election Judge Setting up the polling place Ballot Preparation Setting up the equipment
DS200 Ballot Box/Ballot Scanner AutoMARK Poll Pads
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Take Oath
Assigned Duties
Wear identification badge or sticker provided In the state general election, precincts must be assigned at least four election
judges.
A minimum of three election judges shall be appointed for each precinct for all other elections.
Election Judge Oath
• You will take a legally binding Election Judge Oath:
“I solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will perform the duties of election judge according to law and the best of my ability and will diligently endeavor to prevent fraud, deceit and abuse in conducting this election. I will perform my duties in a fair and impartial manner and not attempt to create an advantage for my party or my candidate.”
M.S. 204B.24
o Refrain from - partisan comments, discussions or personal opinions
o Respect a voter’s right to use the lawful assistance of any eligible person of their charge
o Provide respectful assistance to persons with language and/or disability challenges
o Make every voter’s experience a good one
• Always protect a voter’s privacy
• Pay attention to details and record keeping
Statement of Affiliation
Setting up the Polling Place Access –
Is there a clear path of travel? Can voters of differing physical abilities move about the
polling place?
Traffic Flow – Voters move sequentially from one station to the next
Privacy - Arrange the voting stations with privacy in mind, including the ballot marker
Display U.S. flag Display signs/posters
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Ballot Preparation • Record the total number of ballots provided in
packets on Actual Count of Ballot packages form
• Open an initial supply of packets and verify quantity
• Two judges initial each ballot M.S. 204C.09, subd. 1(b)
• Get out a supply of secrecy covers
• Ballot security
AutoMARK – assistive voting device
DS200 – ballot counter
• AutoMARKs and DS200s are tested prior to election day. Participating in or witnessing the test is a good way to become familiar with the equipment. Contact your local election administrator if interested.
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Register and check-in new voters
Prints Voter Signature Certificate
contrast feature, keypad with Braille, audio, puff-sip interface
Set up Wheelchair accessible location
Privacy
Test
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Two compartments Main ballot compartment
Auxiliary compartment – for emergency use if ballot counter becomes inoperable
Opening the Polls
Polling place opens and voting must begin at 7:00 a.m.
If ballot counter is not functioning properly, use auxiliary compartment on ballot box and contact Auditor/Treasurer’s Office • If auxiliary compartment used, two election judges
process the ballots through the ballot counter later
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Greeter Judge
Welcome and guide voters Greeter’s List is provided to each precinct
Check voters are in correct polling place
Monitor activity in and around polling place
Greet authorized polling place visitors & direct them to the head judge
Sample Greeter’s List
Roster Judge
As Roster or Poll Pad Judge, you check-in voters who are already registered. • Paper roster, or • Poll Pad
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Roster Judge
Checking in Voters using Poll Pad 1. Ask for the voter’s name and enter the first three
letters of the last name. • If the voter had a name change or moved to a new
address, they must re-register. • A voter may hand you an ID to assist with locating their
name, particularly if the spelling is difficult. This is the voter’s choice and is not required, do not ask for their Driver’s License or Social Security card.
• If the voter hands you the ID, you may use the barcode reader to scan it.
Roster Judge
Checking in Pre-Registered Voters 2. Select the voter’s name from the list to move the
confirmation page. • If you see a notation next to their name, proceed
to the roster notation section in your Election Judge Guide.
3. Confirm the voter’s name, address and date of birth.
If any of the information has changed, they must re-register.
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Roster Judge
Checking in Pre-Registered Voters 4. Press “Accept” to print the Voter Signature
Certificate and have the voter sign, affirming the oath.
5. Give them the Ballot Receipt (perforated, bottom of VSC) and direct the voter to the Demonstration/Ballot Judge Table.
• They must have a ballot receipt in order to get a ballot from the Ballot Judge.
Roster Judge
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Roster Judge
Voter Receipts/Ballot Receipts Roster and Registration Judges issue Voter Receipts. Poll Pad Judges issue Ballot Receipts. Each receipt represents a signature on the roster. Each voter must receive a receipt and supply it to the ballot judge to receive a ballot. Receipts are like a ticket for a ballot, the Ballot Judge cannot issue a ballot without first receiving a receipt. If there are multiple school districts, make sure the correct School District is noted on the receipt.
Roster Judge
Tips for Locating a Name Check spelling variations. For a name like Hanson, check Hanson and Hansen. See if the first and last names were switched. Make sure a name such as Vang Lee is not listed as Lee Vang. Check multiple combinations for two-word and hyphenated names.
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Roster Judge
Tips for Locating a Name If you cannot find “Anderson-Smith” look also for Anderson Smith or Andersonsmith. Check under Smith in case Anderson was entered as a middle name. See if an apostrophe was omitted. A name like O’Brien might be in a different location within the O’s depending on whether the apostrophe is entered or not.
Roster Judge
Roster Data is Confidential The roster (paper or electronic) contains
confidential information. • Election judges or voters should not examine roster data other than
what is necessary to assist the voter before them. • Keep all Voter Signature Certificates together and maintain the
security of them along with the Poll Pads.
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Roster Judge
Roster Troubleshooting Tips Below are some reasons why a voter may not appear on the roster, as well as cases in which a voter whose name is on the roster must re-register before voting.
1. Voter is at the wrong precinct. Check the voter’s address in the precinct finder.
2. Voter submitted a registration application less than 20 days before the election. The voter must register at the Registration Table.
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Roster Judge
Roster Troubleshooting Tips 3. Voter’s name was automatically removed. Voters
who have not voted in the last 4 years are removed. The voter must register at the Registration Table.
4. Voter is on the roster but had a legal name change. The voter must register at the Registration Table. Their previous address in the precinct can serve as their proof of residence.
5. Voter’s name was left off due to clerical error. Encourage the voter to register.
Roster Judge
Roster Troubleshooting Tips 6. The voter changed addresses within the precinct.
The voter must complete a new registration. This includes an apartment change in the same building.
7. The voter moved out of the precinct. The voter will have to go to their new precinct to vote.
8. An out of state change of address was received for the voter. The voter must re-register.
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Roster Judge
Roster Troubleshooting Tips 9. The voter’s name was removed if they
previously registered to vote and the postcard sent to verify their address was undeliverable. The voter must re-register.
Common Roster Notations
A.B. or Absentee Ballot • Voter has already cast an absentee ballot and cannot
vote again in person See ID - must show EDR document Challenged – Postal Return What is your residential address?
Challenged – Felony Are you on probation or parole for a felony conviction?
Challenged – Guardianship Are you under court-ordered guardianship in which the
court revoked your right to vote? Were you found by a court to be legally incompetent?
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Have the voter swear or affirm an oath
Ask appropriate questions to determine if they are eligible – follow Poll Pad prompts
If they are eligible, voter can vote
Make a note in the Incident Log
Registration Steps
As Registration Judge, you conduct Election Day registration for those who need to register.
Who is eligible to vote? To register, a person must be: • A U.S. citizen • At least 18 years old on Election Day • A resident of Minnesota for 20 days
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Registration Steps
Who is not eligible to vote? • A person convicted of treason • A person convicted of a felony
If sentence has NOT expired or discharged • A person under guardianship who has not retained
their voting rights • A person found by a court to be legally
incompetent
1. Verify the voter is at the right polling place.
• An individual can only vote in the precinct where they reside.
• It is not uncommon for a voter to go to the wrong polling place.
• Use the precinct finder on the Poll Pad or a precinct map to verify addresses in your precinct.
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Registration Steps
2. Follow the onscreen prompts to complete a registration application for the voter.
You MUST select the pre-populated address from the to ensure correct addressing. Complete the information as the screen prompts instruct.
Registration Steps
3. Confirm the voter’s proof of residence. • Everyone who registers on Election Day must have
proof of residence in the precinct. • Only proofs authorized by law may be used. There
are seven ways to prove where you live; the voter need only provide one.
• Keep a running total of the number of persons who are unable to provide an authorized proof of residence.
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Registration Steps
4. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the proof of residence section
• Indicate the type of proof the voter used. • Include an ID number if the document has one. • Complete all relevant areas, along with your initials.
Registration Steps
5. Have the voter sign both the Voter Registration Application and the Voter Signature Certificate
• Make sure the voter reviews the application form before signing and dating.
• After the registration application prints, the voter signature oath will print. The voter must sign both documents – one to register, and one to vote.
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Registration Steps
6. Hand them the Ballot Receipt and direct them to the Demonstration/Ballot Judge.
• The judge who registers a voter cannot also distribute ballots to that voter.
EVERYONE WHO REGISTERS ON ELECTION DAY MUST PROVIDE ONE OF THE PROOFS OF RESIDENCE
ON THE FOLLOWING SLIDES. ONLY PROOFS AUTHORIZED BY LAW MAY BE USED.
A VOTER IS ALLOWED TO LEAVE AND COME BACK IN ORDER TO GET WHAT THEY NEED TO REGISTER.
ELECTION DAY PROOFS OF RESIDENCE
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Proofs of Residence
1. ID with voter’s current name and address. • Voters may use the following IDs with their current name
and address in the precinct: • Valid Minnesota driver’s license, Minnesota learner’s permit
or Minnesota ID card. • The receipt for a Minnesota driver’s license, learner’s permit
or ID card. • Tribal ID card with name, current address, signature, and
picture issued by the tribal government of a tribe recognized by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
Proofs of Residence
2. Photo ID plus a document with name and current address.
• Voters must show both one photo ID and one document.
• The ID must contain the voter’s name and photo, and can be expired.
• The document must have the voter’s name and current address in the precinct, and can be shown electronically or on paper.
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Proofs of Residence
a) Approved Photo IDs (choose one) • Driver's license, state ID card or learner’s (instruction)
permit issued by any state • United States passport • United States Military ID card or Veteran ID • Tribal ID card with the name, signature and photo of the
voter • Minnesota university, college, or technical college ID
card • Minnesota high school ID card
Proofs of Residence
b) Approved Documents (choose one) • Residential lease or rental agreement (must be valid
thru Election Day) • Current student fee statement • Bill, account or start of service statement due or
dated within 30 days of election for: Phone (landline, cell, VOIP, etc.) Internet services TV (cable, satellite, etc.) Solid waste or sewer services Electric, gas or water Banking or credit card Rent or mortgage payments
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Proofs of Residence
3. Registered voter who can confirm the registrant’s name and address • They must be a registered voter in your precinct • Their name is on the roster (Poll Pad) • They can register with another form of residence and then
vouch for other voters • Voters who register using a voucher CANNOT vouch for
other voters • Limited to vouching for 8 voters they personally know live
in the precinct *Exception for residential facility workers
Voucher Form
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Proofs of Residence
4. College student ID- if a student housing list was provided.
• Not applicable in Wright County
Proofs of Residence
5. Valid registration in the same precinct. • If a voter is currently registered in the precinct but
changed names or moved within the same precinct, their registration serves as proof of residence and no additional documentation is needed.
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Proofs of Residence
6. Notice of Late Registration. • The voter can show a Notice of Late Registration
from the County Auditor/Treasurer. • A voter may be sent a Notice of Late Registration if
they register less than 21 days before the election.
Proofs of Residence
7. Staff person of a residential facility. • If the voter lives in a residential facility, a staff person
from the facility can vouch for their residency with a signed oath.
• Residential staff should be on the list of employees provided by the facility or have an employee ID badge.
• Unlike registered voter vouchers, who may only vouch for 8 voters, residential facility staff may vouch for any number of voters living in the facility.
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• Checkbook address • Junk mail • Magazine • Medical bill • Property tax statement
• Pay Stub • Social Security Card • Insurance Statement • Court Document
Proofs of Residence
Common Residence Questions
Multiple Houses For voting purposes, a person can have only one residence. If the voter owns multiple houses, the voter must decide which is their principal residence.
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Proofs of Residence
Common Residence Questions
Home Damaged Due to Disaster If a voter intends to return to the home after it is rebuilt or repaired, they do not lose residence at that location. If they do not intend to return to the home, they no longer reside there.
Proofs of Residence
Common Residence Questions
Student Residency Students may choose to vote either at home or in the precinct where they live while attending school, depending on which they consider their residence. The special provisions for Election Day registration for students are in the Proof of Residence section above.
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Proofs of Residence
Common Residence Questions Voter Does Not Have a Home A voter who is homeless may register and vote. Their residence is where they sleep, be it a shelter, a friend's house or outside. If their residence does not have an address, provide a description of the location on line 4 of the registration application. They can list a mailing address on line 5 if they have one, but not as a residence. For instance, a PO Box or a ‘General Delivery’ cannot be used as a residence.
Demonstration Judge Ballot Judge
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Demonstration Judge
Instructions Given To Voters • Fill in the oval (or similar target) next to the
candidate or question on the ballot
• Place your ballot into the secrecy cover
• Insert ballot into the ballot counter
• You can get a replacement ballot if you make a mistake o Spoiled ballot procedure
Demonstration Judge
Additional Instructions for Primary Elections No write-in votes allowed. For partisan offices, choose candidates from a
single party. The ballot will have a column for each major political
party. You cannot vote for candidates for more than one party.
For non-partisan offices, choose any candidate (back side of ballot). Candidates for County Commissioner Districts 4 & 5
will appear on the 2020 Primary Ballot.
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Additional Instructions for General Elections Can vote for candidates from different major
political parties
Can vote for up to number of people allowed for each office (i.e. Vote for Two)
To cast a write-in vote, fill in the oval and write the name of a candidate who is not on the ballot
Ballot Questions
Do not interpret what a ballot question means or what impact there would be if it passed or failed
Voters with questions should be encouraged to contact jurisdiction which placed question on ballot
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Ballot Judge
Count and track packs of ballots Record discrepancies on Incident Log
Monitor ballot supply, keep secure
Collect Ballot Receipts
Issue ballots Be sure to give correct ballot in split school
district precincts
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Issuing Ballots
Ballot must be initialed by two election judges Do not issue ballot unless you receive a Ballot
Receipt Offer a secrecy cover
• must offer, not required to use
Direct to an unoccupied voting booth or ballot marker station
The voter may use another writing surface at their discretion
Voters can use a reasonable amount of time to vote No one can take official ballots from the polling place
Ballot Marking Device (AutoMARK)
Provides privacy and independence to voters who cannot, or choose not, to vote using a pen
Displays the ballot in large print or with a high- contrast background
Can read the ballot to the voter through headphones
Allows voter to select candidates with a keypad, touchscreen (if applicable), or sip-and- puff device
Try using it to mark your own ballot to familiarize yourself with the system
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Spoiled ballot • Exchange for new ballot and put into spoiled
ballot envelope • Record on incident log • Example: Cross-party voting at Primary Election
Found ballot (ballot found abandoned somewhere)
• Mark “found in booth” on ballot and put in spoiled ballot envelope
• Record on incident log
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Monitor operation of the ballot counter
Distribute “I Voted” stickers Hand the voter a sticker — do not place it on their person
or belongings
Only judges can approach within 6 ft. of ballot counter to monitor equipment
Do not examine voter’s ballot unless voter asks
Listen for warning sound of an error and offer assistance
Full Ballot Box
Two judges of different political parties open ballot box to straighten or empty ballots
If removing ballots, keep ballots with write- ins in separate container
Record time, initials of judges and any seal numbers used to secure ballots in Incident Log
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If Counter Stops Working
Open auxiliary slot on ballot box and contact Auditor/Treasurer’s office
Voting continues without interruption
When counter is working again, two election judges put ballots in auxiliary slot into ballot counter
Persons Allowed In or Near the Polling Place M.S. 204C.06
• Only election judges, people directly engaged in voting, and authorized persons can be present
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Persons helping a voter Children accompanying voters Vouchers Observers with written authorization from the secretary of state,
county auditor or clerk Peace officers, if judges request their presence to keep order Challengers appointed in writing by a political party or
nonpartisan candidate Teachers and elementary/high school students, if
participating in a mock election that has been authorized by the secretary of state
Persons making a written complaint Media People conducting exit polls can be on the premises, but not
in the room where voting occurs
Media
Must present photo ID to the Head Judge and either: • Media credential
• Written statement from a local election official
Cannot: • Approach within 6 ft. of someone voting
• Converse with voter while in the poll place
• Make a list of persons voting or not voting
• Interfere with the voting process
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Prohibition on Campaigning
No campaigning or lingering in or within 100 feet of the building
If the polling place is on public property, campaigning not allowed anywhere on the property, even beyond 100 feet
Does not apply to adjacent private property Ask voters to either cover up or remove political
material while in the polling place. • If they refuse, they can vote but record their name
and note the event in the Incident Log
Assistance by Election Judges
Direct questions to the voter, not others with them
Help only as much as requested
Two election judges of different major parties may mark a ballot according to voter’s direction
Do not reveal how they voted
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Interpreters and Assistance from Others
Voter may choose someone other than election judges for help • Except an agent of their employer or their union
Assistants can help an unlimited number of voters in all aspects of the voting process
Curbside Voting
Voter unable to enter polling place may vote from their vehicle Two election judges of different major parties bring voting
materials to vehicle Bring a Certificate of Registered Voter form for the voter
to complete Process forms with Poll Pad Judge Give ballot receipt to Ballot Judge for a ballot Have voter fill out the ballot Place the ballot into the ballot box
Curbside Voting is on Page 36-37 of the Election Judge Guide
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Help every voter participate equally in the process
Ask before helping
Election judges cannot challenge the eligibility of a voter on account of that person’s perceived cognitive capability
Voters Who Are Blind or Have Low- Vision
Offer your arm for them to hold, then paint a verbal picture of the pathway, give specific information about upcoming obstacles
Tell the voter when you're leaving— or when another judge will be taking over to assist them
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Avoid impulse to talk louder to people with hearing impairments
Point to appropriate objects or use visual aids
Sometimes written communications work best
Contesting a Voter’s Eligibility
An election judge, any eligible voter in the precinct or an appointed challenger may contest a voter’s eligibility
Must have personal knowledge that the person is not eligible to vote
Suspicion is not a basis for making a challenge
Page 37 of the Election Judge Guide
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Present letter of appointment
Prove MN residence by presenting proof of residence used for Election Day registration
Challenger Code of Conduct
Must complete Oath of Challenge Form • Forms provided in red binder
Cannot converse with voters
Cannot handle election materials
Can be asked to leave if not adhering to code of conduct
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Election Judge questions voter regarding challenge
If voter answers indicate they are eligible, voter signs roster and votes
If the voter refuses to answer questions or sign the roster, they cannot vote
Cannot come back later in the day and vote
Make notes on Incident Log
Sample Oath of Challenge to Voter’s Eligibility
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Head Judge Duties
Oversees polling place setup
Conducts emergency judge training for replacement judges
Reviews news media credentials
Resolves questions and problems
Closes the polling place and returns materials
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Lets official know what occurred in the precinct
Record any unusual events or problems
Record how problems were resolved
Returned to clerk with precinct supplies
Close of Voting
Voters in line at 8 pm must be allowed to vote
Polling place open to the public after all voting is finished
Members of the public observing closing do not have to provide letter like challengers
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Closing the Polls Overview
Follow the Closing the Polls Checklist in the red binder and additional instructions given by your Head Judge: DS200 & Reconciliation Precinct Kit Automark & Poll Pad shutdown Ballot Storage & Write-In Votes
Write-in votes at general election only
Deliver election materials and results to Auditor/Treasurer’s Office
DS200 Ballot Counter & Reconciliation
Print results tapes
• Registered • Election Day Registration
• Ballot Receipts envelope • Spoiled Ballots envelope • Duplicate Ballot envelope • Miscellaneous Forms envelope • Backup seals envelopes • AutoMARK card & DS200 thumb drive envelope • Voting Results bag
AutoMARK & Poll Pads
• The program card sealed in the AutoMARK is removed and returned to the Auditor/Treasurer’s Office.
• The AutoMARK machine is powered off, returned to the storage case and stored by the local election official.
• The poll pads are powered off; placed in the storage cases and returned to the Auditor/Treasurer’s office
• The router is powered off; placed in the storage box and returned to the Auditor/Treasurer’s office
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Write-In Votes
• Count Write-In Votes • There are no Write-In Votes in the Primary Election, but there
will be in the General Election.
• You will need to record the Write-In Votes on the two Write-In Tally Sheets found in the clear plastic precinct kit.
• Registered Write-In Tally Sheet • This sheet lists candidates for Federal, State and County
offices who need to have their votes tallied. • Non-Registered Write-In Tally Sheet
• Tally all Write-In votes for City, Township, School and Hospital District Candidates.
Ballot Storage
• Ballot Storage • Voted and Unused ballots, the Duplicate Ballot
envelope and the Spoiled Ballot envelope are sealed in the transfer cases
• Two seals are provided
• Small label, for election judges to sign and ‘seal’ case
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Election Returns
• A minimum of two election judges/officials need to deliver election returns and supplies to the Auditor/Treasurer’s office on election night.
Station Tour
• relayed by your local election administrator or head election judge
• Masks, disinfectant, hand sanitizer, protective shields
TO-DO! • Send an email to elections@co.wright.mn.us with your name
and precinct serving confirming you completed New Election Judge Training
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Corissa Aronson 763-682-7671
Lanette Paumen 763-682-7692