TEXAS ELECTION NETWORK
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes our Elections not secure?
Answer: Mistakes are more often lack of training or negligence than instances of intentional fraud, but it can easily change the outcome of an election either way. That is why thorough training is so important, and having extra eyes on the process every step of the way is needed to protect the integrity of the election.
How did insecurity in our elections become such a big problem?
Answer: For too long and, in too many states, there has not been enough emphasis placed on transparency while votes are being cast and tabulated. This has created a void that has allowed foul play and/or negligence to exist in our electoral process. With some races that are decided by razor-thin margins, inaccuracies with the vote count can easily affect the outcome of an election. As anecdotes of election fraud have caught the attention of the news media, political candidates, and voters in higher frequency, the confidence Americans have in our elections is at an all-time low. The increased polarization of the political process makes it easy to question the tactics and methods used by the opposing side.
What are the solutions to restoring confidence in our elections?
Answer: Having more transparency and accountability in our elections is essential to restoring confidence in the electoral process. This means having concerned citizens (grassroots) INVOLVED in the electoral process by learning, being trained, and getting credentialed by their County Elections Office, so they can be a poll watcher or a poll worker.
What form of election fraud is most common?
Answer: Fraud comes in many different forms such as ineligible voting, inaccurate vote counting, fraudulent voter registration, duplicate voting, voter impersonation, and fraudulent use of absentee/mail-in voting such as ballot harvesting. The most blatant types of fraud involve the buying and selling of votes and illegal assistance.
What is the most effective thing I can do as a volunteer to help prevent fraud?
Answer: By simply being involved in the process, a volunteer has helped immensely in making sure our elections are secure and fair. Being a poll watcher or poll worker is the best way to establish transparency and when polling locations are filled with well-trained volunteers, it makes it nearly impossible for fraud to take place. The more eyes in the room, the better. A well-trained poll watcher or poll worker is equipped and prepared and knows what to watch for.
How much of a time commitment is required to volunteer in our electoral process?
Answer: Poll watchers and poll workers must complete training in order to serve. Ideally, volunteering as a poll watcher would require you to cover a specified number of shift(s) while voting is taking place. This could mean you volunteer at a certain time during Early Voting, Election Day, or even once the polls close on Election Night. There are normally a couple of meetings after Election Night for processing military ballots and provisional voters. The amount of time you give is completely up to you and, even if you cannot devote an entire day, there are plenty of opportunities for you to be involved.
Can I volunteer anywhere or only in the County I live in?
Answer: You must be registered to vote in the County where you want to become a poll watcher. For example, if you are a registered voter in Harris County, you are NOT permitted to be a poll watcher in Fort Bend County.
Do I have to be associated with a political party in order to volunteer?
Answer: Poll watchers have absolutely no requirement for party affiliation. The poll workers, however, are appointed through their political party leadership. Everyone is welcome, and encouraged, to take part in our electoral process by becoming a volunteer or Election Worker.
Can I volunteer if I have also volunteered for a political candidate?
Answer: Again, absolutely. It’s important to note that while you may have volunteered for a partisan effort or a political candidate, you will be required to exercise your duties as a poll watcher or a poll worker in a non-partisan fashion. This means refraining from any partisan rhetoric, promoting a candidate, or wearing any clothing that promotes a candidate. A poll watcher may not be a candidate on the ballot, a public official, or be an employer of, or employee of, or related to within the second degree of blood or marriage to the election workers where they are appointed to serve.