QUICK POINTS TO REMEMBER
In order to serve as a poll
watcher, you must show up with a certificate of appointment that includes:
•
Name, residence address, and voter registration
number of the poll watcher;
•
The signature of the person(s) making the
appointment;
•
The
election and the number of the precinct where the poll watcher is to serve;
•
An indication of the capacity in which the
appointing authority is acting;
•
In an
election on a measure, an identification of the measure (if more than one is to
be voted on) and a statement of which side the appointee represents;
•
An affidavit to be executed by the poll watcher
stating that the poll watcher will not have possession of any mechanical or
electronic means of recording images or sound while serving as a watcher unless
the poll watcher disables or deactivates the device; and
•
The signature of the poll watcher.
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You must complete the poll watcher training
administered by the Texas Secretary of State and present the certificate of completion to the
presiding judge. (NEW LAW: SB 1 (2021, 2nd C.S.)).
Ø
Be ready to counter-sign the certificate of
appointment in front of the election judge. This serves not only to certify
that the person presenting themselves as a poll watcher is a person named on
the appointment but also as the execution of the affidavit that the watcher
does not have possession of any prohibited recording devices.
Ø
If you are serving on election day and want to
vote in a different precinct (from the location of service), we recommend
voting during the early voting period before your service as a poll watcher.
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Take the oath administered by the election
officer. (NEW LAW: SB 1 (2021, 2nd C.S.)).
A poll watcher must:
Ø
be a registered voter of the territory (e.g.,
city, school district) covered by the election and of the county for November
general elections for state and county officers (held on even-numbered years),
primary elections, or other countywide elections; [Sec. 33.031]
Ø
NOT be a
candidate for public office in an election held on the day the watcher seeks to
serve; [Sec. 33.032]
Ø
NOT hold an elective public office; [Sec.
33.034]
Ø
NOT be an employee of an election judge or clerk
serving at the same polling place; [Sec. 33.033]
Ø
NOT have been finally convicted of an offense in
connection with conduct directly attributable to an election; [Sec. 33.035] and
Ø
NOT be related within the second degree of
consanguinity or affinity (as determined by Tex. Gov’t Code, Secs. 573.022-573.025)
to an election judge or clerk serving at that polling place. These include
spouses, siblings, grandparents, and grandchildren. A watcher may be related to
the candidate the watcher is representing. [Sec. 33.033].
Below you will find forms
to appoint a poll watcher by candidate, proposition, and party. You must complete the poll watcher training
administered by the Texas Secretary of State and present the certificate of
completion to the presiding judge. (NEW LAW: SB 1 (2021, 2nd C.S.)).