Poll Worker Training

For Nebraska Elections

Election Board Workers

� All workers shall receive training prior to each election at which vote counting devices will be used and shall receive compensation for their attendance.

Prior to Opening the Polls

� Prepare polling place

as needed:

• Parking

• Entrances

• Booths

• Ballot boxes

• Signs & Notices

Parking

� If the polling place does not have a handicap parking stall, check for cones and temporary signs to provide an accessible parking space near the entrance.

Walkways

� Check to make sure the walkways are hard-surfaced and free of debris. If necessary temporary access mats can be provided.

Signs & Notices

� Directional signs indicate the location of accessible entrances, corridors and exits. � Public Notices regarding

Second Chance Voting, Provisional Voting, First Time Mail-In Registrants plus Federal and State rights and violations along with two sets of all Sample Ballots must be posted for voters to easily see and read.

Accessible Booths

� Be sure to arrange the voting area to accommodate traffic flow.

� You must insure 5’ clearance around the AutoMARK with the screen facing away from other booths.

Important Details

� Take the oath for poll workers and sign your name.

� Review the duties for each member of the Receiving Board.

� Prepare the AutoMARK for use.

� Prepare the M100 for use. (if used in in your county)

AUTO MARK

Verify Ballot Numbers

� Confirm the number of ballots received from the Election Office on the Ballot Certification & Audit Report.

� Report any discrepancies to the Election Office.

� Check all supply boxes for items needed, i.e. rosters, sample ballots, voter instructions, etc.

Precinct 5 Votes HERE

Ballot Box Inspection

� Whether using the M100 ballot box or traditional style ballot box, always open and inspectthe ballot box to insure it is empty prior to opening the polls.

Last Minute Preparations

� Check to make sure the polling place is free of all campaign signs and literature.

� Examine the outside area and parking lot to insure political signs, vehicles with campaign slogans and candidates are not positioned within 200’ of the polling place.

Polling Place Decorum

Offering Assistance

� Appearances might lead you to believe a voter needs assistance when they don’t, or vice versa.

� Always ask the voter if they would like assistance before lending assistance.

� Be prepared to communicate with all voters.

� Whether the voter is disabled or from a different culture, be sensitive to their rights and needs.

When Providing Assistance

� A relative or friend; or two poll workers of opposite parties, may assist a voter.

� “Curbside voting” may be provided by two poll workers of opposite parties if the voter is within a block of the polling place.

� Persons assisting a voter must sign an oath swearing they will not reveal the voter’s intentions.

� Poll workers must document after the voter’s name: Assistance Rendered.

Ready and Waiting

� Open the polls at 8:00 a.m. CST or 7:00 a.m. MST.

� It is permissible to have some ballots initialed in advance in preparation for opening.

Voting Line Starts Here

Clerks Greet Each Voter

Good Morning

Please state your name and the address you are registered at.

Yes, here it is on the roster; please sign on this line.Ballot 13:08 is the ballot

style for this voter.

Judges Initial & Instruct

Use the pencil provided. Darken the oval completely. Do not erase or cross out, if you make a mistake return it for a replacement.

Ballot Style 13:08 has 2 sets of judges’ initials

Do not fold the ballot. After voting insert it in the ballot sleeve and return it to the ballot box.

Precinct or District Inspectors

� Oversees procedures at the polling place for the Election Official.

� Performs tasks assigned by the Election Official; such as offering and rendering assistance to a disabled voter or overseeing Provisional Voting.

Know Your County Policy Provisional Voters

� Registered voters listed on the precinct roster who have moved to a different address within in the same precinct, or who change their name and still reside in your precinct …..

� Need not vote Provisional,

� But could be required to vote provisional based on your county’s county-wide policy

Provisional Voters

� I did register to vote at an address in your precinct. It’s not my fault my name is not on your printed list.

� I did receive an Early Voting ballot, but I lost it. So, I want to vote here.

� I did get the notice to bring ID to the Election office or to my polling place on Election Day, but.... I forgot.

� Persons claiming to be registered at your precinct.

� Early Voters who did not vote their EV ballot.

� Voters who forgot to send their ID with a mail in registration form.

Provisional Requirements

� 1. The voter has continuously resided in the county.

� 2. The voter has not registered in any other county since registering in this county.

� 3. The voter is in the correct precinct for their current county address.

� 4. A voter registration application is completed and signed by the voter.

� 5. The certification is completed & signed by the voter

Provisional Voter Certification

� I am a registered voter in _____________ County.

� My name or address did not correctly appear on the precinct list of registered voters.

� I registered to vote on or about this date __________

� I registered to vote: in person, by mail, by using the Secretary of State’s web site, through the Dept. of Motor Vehicles, on a form through another state agency, or in some other way.

� I have not resided outside this county or voted outside this county since registering to vote in this county.

� My current address is on the registration application.

� I did not return my Early Voting ballot.

� I have not provided ID.

� I am eligible to vote in this election, and have not or will not vote in this election, except by this ballot.

Provisional Ballot & Envelope

� Voted Provisional Ballots must be sealed in Provisional Ballot Envelopes.

� Signed and sealed Provisional Ballots Envelopes with the Certification must be placed in a container for Provisional Ballot Envelopes or the ballot box as directed by the Election Official.

Provisional Wrap-up

� Be sure to write “Provisional” after the voter’s signature for sign-in.

� Explain use of the PIN (Personal Identification Number) form.

� Provide information as to how the voter may learn if their ballots were counted.

Voters & Spoiled Ballots

� Do not throw Spoiled Ballots away.

� Have the Voter write “Spoiled” across the ballot.

� Place spoiled ballots in the Spoiled Ballot Envelope, keeping a tally of the number placed in the envelope.

Tally: lll

Ballot Return Routine� Upon exiting the booth, the voter should place their ballot in the ballot sleeve.

� Judges shall inspect the ballots for initials without viewing the votes cast. (If either of the judges’ initials are missing, the ballots shall be rejected and the voter issued new ballots.)

� Judges shall oversee or assist the voter as needed when depositing the voted ballot.

Ballot Security

� All ballots shall be kept secure and all ballot boxes locked throughout Election Day.

� If “early pickup” occurs under the direction of your Election Official, be sure to record all seal numbers.

Preparing to Close the Polls

� Remember any person in line at the time of the closing of the polls shall be entitled to vote.

� No person arriving after the designated hour to close the polls shall be entitled to vote.

You mean I must let all the people vote that are in line by 8 p.m.?

After the Polls Close

� Verify the count of unused ballots.

� Seal unused ballots in proper container.

� Verify the number of spoiled and rejected ballots.

� Seal spoiled & rejected ballots in proper containers.

� Verify the number of persons voting at the precinct.

� Complete the Ballot Certification & Audit Report.

Ballot Certification & Audit Report

Ballots Received __ Ballots Voted __ Ballots Returned __

Returning Supplies

� Remove all Election signs and notices.

� Package all supplies and equipment as directed for return.

� Leave voting area as clean as you found it.

� Transport supplies and locked ballot containers to the Election Office.

Don’t Forget the Payroll Claim

� Be sure to check all supplies in with the Election Official.

� Remember to sign all required receipts and documents.

Election Office

Thank-you

� Your time and dedication to the election process is greatly appreciated by both local and state officials!

Brought to you by the Nebraska Secretary of State’s Office

Election Division