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Poll Workers make elections possible
General Information
Precinct election officials include inspectors, judges, poll clerks, assistant poll clerks. These officials help to ensure a smooth and successful Election Day process. Vote center counties may use different titles for the roles below, though the general duties outlined here are to be assigned to the teams working at these sites on Election Day.
The Inspector
1. The inspector acts as the “manager” of the precinct.
2. With the two judges, the inspector decides all matters that come before the precinct election board.
• The precinct election board consists of the inspector and the two judges.
• The poll clerks, assistant poll clerks, and sheriffs are precinct election officers, but not board members.
Duties of the Inspector
1. The inspector is entitled to ask voters to provide photo ID.
2. The inspector may challenge voters and accept voter challenges when a voter is not eligible to vote in the precinct.
3. The inspector picks up election supplies at least two days before the election. These supplies include ballots, poll lists, and forms.
4. The inspector administers the oath to all poll workers. (PRE-1, Precinct or Vote Center Oath Book)
5. The inspector announces the opening and closing of the polling place.
6. The inspector provides for meals during Election Day (unless the county provides money for a meal allowance).
7. Accompanied by the judge of the opposite political party, the inspector returns all election supplies to the county election board after the polls close. NOTE: The county election board determines how voting systems and any electronic pollbooks will be delivered to and returned from the polling location. (Forms CEB-1A and CEB-1C)
The Judges
There are two judges in each precinct, one from each major political party. The judges assist the inspector in making decisions on matters that come before the precinct election board.
Duties of the Judges
1. A judge is entitled to ask voters to provide photo ID. (Note: One of the precinct election officers nominated by the Democratic Party and one of the precinct election officers nominated by the Republican Party is entitled to ask the voter to provide photo ID.)
2. When requested, judges may assist voters with disabilities or voters unable to read or write after completing the “Affidavit of Voter Assistance at the Polls” (PRE-3).
3. The judge of the opposite political party of the inspector must accompany the inspector in returning election supplies to the county election board. NOTE: The county election board determines how voting systems and any electronic poll books will be delivered to and returned from the polling location. (Forms CEB-1A and CEB-1C)
The Poll Clerks and Assistant Poll Clerks
1. The primary function of poll clerks is record keeping and ballot control.
2. Poll clerks assist voters in the process of signing the poll list
3. Poll clerks may record who has signed a poll list and make the record available to a watcher or poll book holder upon request. However, the poll clerk must ensure that a voter is not delayed as a result of preparing this record or providing this information.
Duties of the Poll Clerks and Assistants
1. A poll clerk is entitled to ask voters to provide photo ID. (Note: One of the precinct election officers nominated by the Democratic Party and one of the precinct election officers nominated by the Republican Party is entitled to ask the voter to provide photo ID.)
2. Poll clerks shall ask voters to provide or update their voter identification number if the poll list flags the voter’s record for this request. However, a voter is not required to provide this information to the poll clerk.
3. In some cases, poll clerks will ask voters to present additional residence documentation to verify the voter’s residency when required. (See Chapter Four on Additional Residence Documentation Requirements.)
4. Poll clerks must initial each ballot (and secrecy envelope for counties using optical scan ballot cards) before giving the ballot to the voter.
5. In a primary election, poll clerks must be sure that the voter has been given the proper ballot and party identification card if the voter wishes to vote in a party’s primary.
6. Assistant poll clerks provide assistance when needed but are not required to sign the precinct’s election returns or other certificates.
Other Election Workers: Sherriffs, Watchers, Challengers and Poll Book Holders Certain individuals who are not precinct election officials have special privileges to observe the precinct election process: watchers, challengers, and poll book holders. A Watcher, Challenger, and Poll Book Holder are not entitled to request or handle a voter’s photo ID.
If you would like to help with our elections contact Linda Roy at 812-821-2189. If you would like to learn more about Indiana elections go to IN.gov. From there go to the Secretary of state page. You will find the elections handbook, along with training videos.
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