When you vote in person, 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.
   
  
  • #9 on that document shows that voters 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. They should not be pressured or dissuaded from doing so!!
   
  • In counties with paper rosters (no electronic poll book), voters must be at their assigned precinct. This will be most non-vote center counties.
    
  • In vote center counties and other counties with electronic poll book, surrender is electronic—surrendering the physical ballot is not necessary (voters should destroy the ballot and envelope after voting if officials do not).
    
• 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

Just Say NOPE to the Envelope

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