EXPLAINER: Poll watchers and their role in Nebraska’s election
OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - On November 5th, all registered Nebraskans will cast their vote in the 2024 general election. While at your polling place, you might see a few people observing the process; they’re called “poll watchers.”
A poll watcher must be a registered Nebraska voter or represent a state-based, national or international election monitoring organization. “They’re not there to assist or interfere," said Douglas County Election Commissioner Brian Kruse. “They are just there to watch.”
Watchers must also wear an ID badge, making it clear as to who they are and whom sent them. The badge will state “official poll watcher” at the top. It will also include the election date/type, their name and the name of the person or organization they represent.
“They have to maintain an 8 feet distance from books, ballots, voters, all of those types of things,” said Kruse. “If they see a problem or perceive a problem, they are informed to call our office or the organization they are with. Then we will research and take care of it on the back end. Poll watchers are not to interfere or interact in any way with poll workers or voters on election day,” explained Kruse.
If you see someone standing inside or near your polling place, check to see if they are wearing their ID badge. If they do not have one or are lingering in the parking lot, take note and report it to election officials on site or police. Granted not everyone who might be around is there for a nefarious reason.
“They maybe waiting for somebody inside, we do have curbside voting so they may be waiting for our staff,” said Kruse. “They may be studying on their phone or on a paper ballot before they come in. So there are lots of possibilities.“
But if something seems suspicious, report it. Voter intimidation is illegal in the state of Nebraska.
Kruse says Douglas County is preparing for November 5th with extra procedures to ensure a safe election. Along with paper ballots, he tells 6 news tests happen before and after the election to make sure machines tally votes correctly.
“Then on top of that we have a security system, card swipe system, we have windows into our counting room for transparency and of course we have cameras everywhere,“ said Kruse. Election machines are not connected to the internet.
Kruse says poll watchers will be out on Election Day only. They should not be at polling places or the election office now. For more information about how to become a poll watcher or voting in general, contact your local county elections office.
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