FYI, about "poll observers" in Ohio

[Maeve]

Since there is so much in the news about various groups "observing". here's an official list of what they can't do.

Observers MAY NOT:
Handle materials
Disrupt or intimidate voters or Precinct Election Officials
Violate the secrecy of the ballot or the privacy of the voter
Use cell phones, digital phones or other devices o\to discuss the election within the polling location
Take photographs or record video within 20 feet of a voter
Interfere with poll workers or slow down the operation of the polling location
Interfere with voters in a way that interferes with or disrupts the election
Serve as enforcers of the laws
Act as advocates for voters in front of the precinct election officials
Engage in any kind of election campaigning

One warning, second time they are to be asked to leave and the situation is to be documented
(from the Franklin Co BOE training manual for general election 2012, emphasis added by me)

If you see something happening that shouldn't, first tell the poll workers (especially the voting location manager).

[solara]

1. Thank you for posting this

K&R

[monmouth]

2. What about the "patches" put into the tabulators?..n/t

[liberal N proud]

3. I did poll observing in 2004

We had to sit with layers for training before we could preform the task and were to leave the poll and call the lawyer if there were any problems. We could not engage them directly.

It was part of the Kerry Campaign.

[longship]

4. That was the way it was in KS when I poll watched there.

And the election officials at the polling places take the rules very seriously. Expect them to be enforced. Poll workers are usually multi-partisan as well.

These are my personal experiences. But I have no reason to believe that things would be much different in OH.

True-the-vote are not going to be able to challenge anybody and could be arrested if they insist on interfering with voting process.

[mtnester]

5. ANY voter can ask ANYONE (including poll monitors) to assist them inside the building or inside the

voting booth...however, we must cover up our vests/t-shirts anytime we go inside.
We can take any photo or video or any type of suspicious, illegal or intimidation activity
We fill out activity logs of any instance someone was denied the right to vote, or forced to take a provisional (dependent on a person telling us it happened), or have some other issue like a piece of mail that directed thgem to the WRONG location or to the WRONG date
We call command legals if there is a serious problem.
Election officials inside must provide phone numbers for those who take provional ballots to verify their votes was placed
Election officials inside must provide precinct information to thos in the wrong polling location
Election officials inside may NOT arbitrarily ask for ID. IF you are in your correct polling location, and your name is on the books, you should NOT be asked for ID.
A voter does NOT have to take a provisional ballot..they can exit and return, but they do not have to take that ballot right then and there.

I will be on the ground in one of the 39 precints in central Ohio that have been determined to be probable trouble areas for disenfranchisement. All day, from the first vote to the last vote. This will be the fifth time I have done this, and I suspect it will be far worse that 2004...in fact, I guarantee it will be

[Maeve]

6. Whoa--you do have to provide ID to vote in Ohio

It does not have to be a picture ID, but you do need something with your name and address on it--a utility bill, government check, credit card statement...for absentee (includes early in-person voting) or provisional voting, the last four digits of your social security number will suffice.

And yes, every one who votes provisionally is to receive a notice telling them where to call for more info on their ballot as well as a notice that they must be in the correct precinct for the vote to count. At our polling place we have always been very good about asking someone if they might have proper ID at home (so they won't have to vote provisionally) or in their car. We get maybe two to five provisionals an election.

Oh, and the law says you can ask anyone to help you vote EXCEPT your employer or employer's agent or their union officer (or agent)..or a candidate on the ballot.

[HelenWheels]

7. Isn't this for registering?

You need this kind of info to register but if you are already registered you should not need any kind of ID. At least that's how it is in WI.

[Maeve]

9. Ohio has had voter ID for 5 or 6 years

More than 4, I'm sure, because it started before 2008. As long as you have something "official" showing your name at the address in the signature book (bank statement, utility bill, driver's or other Ohio ID, college letter, for example--dated within the year), it's accepted (except something from the BOE--we need something outside the election process). Military IDs are accepted even without an address. It's a fairly generous ID law as these things go.

[mtnester]

8. You are right on the help, I was posting from the perspective and relating to the topic of monitors

As for ID..of course you have to have ID...what I was referring to was asking every voter to produce it. We are clarifying this as it came up repeatedly by the lawyers during training Thursday...we are to get the final ruling on it Tuesday morning when we pick up our packets for the day.

[FarPoint]

10. I'm going to be an observer as well.

Essentially my first time. I did it in 2004 but not with a keen level of organization as I see this time. We have learned a lot.