2022 ELECTION INFO

VOTE SAFE IN 2022 Part #10

May 18, 2022
VOTE SAFE IN 2022

Part #10—What Do I Do IF….. (at the polls)?

Poll workers are individuals just like the rest of us. Most just want to do their best to conduct a fair, honest and lawful election.

But poll workers are limited by the quality of their training, and that varies significantly from county to county. In addition, the way elections are held is quickly changing: new systems, new technology, multiple voting days, new laws and regulations---it’s hard to keep up!

Voters need to become educated so they can be the “wind beneath the wings” of poll workers who are doing a very difficult job.

Always be patient and polite, but firmly stand your ground when you know what is right. You have the right to VOTE IN PERSON.

Here are some WHAT IFs to memorize:

WHAT IF I am told (encouraged, arm-twisted, forced) at the polls to just turn in my mail-in ballot in the envelope or if poll workers are reluctant to let me vote in person?

As you know from Part 2 of this series, turning in your ballot in an envelope is not “the same” as voting in person, even though uninformed poll workers will tell you it is.
Thank them for their suggestion but decline, and restate your intention to vote in person.
Download a Citizen Incident Statement https://www.eip-ca.com/incident.htm. fill it out and send it immediately to EIPCa as directed.

WHAT IF I am told at the polls that I’ve already voted?

Always take your mail-in ballot and return envelope with you. Show it to the clerk, point out the name and address, even show your ID to prove the ballot is yours.
Tell the clerk there is some irregularity and ask the clerk to check again.
If the answer is the same, ask the clerk to involve the assistance of the Lead Official.
If the Lead Official cannot resolve the problem, politely say, “Would you please call your Hotline?” Once the elections office is on the line, the official or you can explain the situation.
BE PATIENT AND POLITE, but insist that you are in possession of proof that their “records” are incorrect and that you expect to vote in person with a regular, non-provisional ballot.
If you have your ballot in hand, do NOT accept a provisional ballot without first firmly standing your ground.
- Make it clear that if you are not allowed to vote with a regular ballot, you are being disenfranchised and would be forced to file a formal complaint.
  (Use those words.)

Download a Citizen Incident Statement https://www.eip-ca.com/incident.htm. fill it out and send it immediately to EIPCa as directed.

WHAT IF I am told at the polls that I’m not registered to vote?

Always take your mail-in ballot and return envelope with you. Show it to the clerk, point out the name and address, even show your ID to prove the ballot is yours and that you clearly ARE registered because you were mailed a ballot.
If the clerk cannot resolve the issue, ask the Lead Official be consulted.
If the Lead Official cannot resolve the problem, politely say, “Would you please call your Hotline?” Once the elections office is on the line, the official or you can explain the situation.
Poll workers may offer you an opportunity to “same-day register”, called a Conditional Voter Registration (CVR).
Since you know (and have proof) that you are registered, the only appropriate resolution is for them to allow you to vote with a regular ballot. Re-registering can create more chaos in the voter rolls.
If you have your ballot in hand, do NOT accept a CVR or provisional ballot without first firmly standing your ground.
- Make it clear that if you are not allowed to vote with a regular ballot, you are being disenfranchised and would be forced to file a formal complaint.
  (Use those words.)

Download a Citizen Incident Statement https://www.eip-ca.com/incident.htm. fill it out and send it immediately to EIPCa as directed.

WHAT IF I am provided a Sharpie to mark my ballot?

Be prepared. Take a black ink pen with you, and if offered a Sharpie, just use your black pen to mark your ballot. No need to make a fuss. Use it carefully and don’t press hard enough to wear a microscopic hole in the ballot.
Download a Citizen Incident Statement https://www.eip-ca.com/incident.htm, fill it out and send it immediately to EIPCa as directed.

Bottom Line:

Any issue that arises at the polling place should be addressed first by polite discussion with the Lead Official.
If resolution is not reached, remain unruffled. Remember poll workers are doing their best, and deserve respect.
Always SMILE and say, “WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL YOUR HOTLINE?”
Politely stand your ground if you know you are right, and officials will eventually resolve your problem.

download pdf of article

EIPCa is a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) charity. Contributions are tax deductible.
https://www.eip-ca.com/donate/

Linda Paine, President and Co-founder,
Election Integrity Project®California

Election Integrity Project® California
is a nonprofit public benefit organization https://www.eip-ca.com
Please consider donating to the work of
Election Integrity Project®California.

VOTE SAFE IN 2022 Part #9

Part #9—Voting Procedures at the Polls

When you vote in person, which EIPCa encourages you to do the FIRST day polls are open in your county, it is wise to know the proper procedures for the safety of your ballot and the integrity of the entire election.

Here are some things to know. NOTE: County procedures vary in details. The following is true for all locations.

Polling locations must open and close EXACTLY on time.
The Voter Bill of Rights must be posted prominently both inside and outside the polling location.
- #10 on that document shows that voters have the right to ask questions and receive satisfactory answers. It’s YOUR vote, so don’t be pushed or forced into casting a ballot in a manner that makes you uncomfortable. ASK; if the workers do not know the answer, or it seems wrong to you, ASK them to call their hotline and verify the answer.

Polling locations must have enough booths, machines and materials to service all voters.
The ballot container should be OPEN and UNSEALED until the first voter of the day verifies that it is empty (not stuffed). NOTE: some Vote Center counties may only do this on the first day. We are attempting to address this issue; please document.
ALL elections officials must be competent in their job and fluent in English; they must be pleasant and professional in dress, language and behavior and wear an ID badge while performing their duties.
All machines and booths must be in the same room and in plain view of poll workers at all times.
Voters experiencing any difficulties (being told they have already voted, or are not registered, etc.) have the right to request officials to call their County Hotline for additional situation resolution.
All voters must have the opportunity to vote in privacy, including those with disabilities.
2 or more individuals over 18 may not be together in a booth or at a machine unless one has taken an oath, administered by the poll worker, affirming the need and desire for assistance.
Voters who cannot enter the polling location, but who wish to vote in person, must be assisted at the curb.
Voters wishing to submit their completed ballot in its envelope may drop the envelope off at any polling location in the state. Officials should inspect the envelope for correct information and signatures before accepting it.
Voters dropping off ballots for someone else may do so. Officials should ensure that the voter has properly signed and dated the ballot, and the deliverer has also signed and listed relationship to the voter.
Voters wishing to vote in person may surrender their mail ballot and envelope, and vote.
- Reminder: EIPCa encourages voting in person on the first day polls are open in your county.
- In non-vote center counties, voters must be at their assigned precinct.
- In vote center counties, surrender is electronic—surrendering the physical ballot is not necessary (voters should destroy the ballot and envelope after voting if officials do not).
- If possible, take your mail-in ballot and envelope with you for ease of check in and proof that you are registered and have not yet voted.

No one may electioneer* within 100 feet of the polling location: *campaign, wear or distribute campaign material, discuss ballot choices, wave signs, solicit petition signatures, etc.
Voters whose eligibility to vote cannot be immediately determined must be allowed to vote provisionally. Voters in non-vote center counties should be encouraged to go to their own precinct, where they can vote non-provisionally.
Individuals who are eligible but un-registered may register and vote at a polling location by casting a ballot in a Conditional Voter Registration envelope.

Knowing the basics helps you to protect the integrity of your own vote. The more voters who understand their rights and proper procedures, the more election integrity will result.

Have a great voting experience and remember to be a

VIP—Voter In Person

download pdf of article

EIPCa is a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) charity. Contributions are tax deductible.
https://www.eip-ca.com/donate/

Linda Paine, President and Co-founder,
Election Integrity Project®California

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VOTE SAFE IN 2022 Part #10

VOTE SAFE IN 2022 Part #9