The election process is a public affair and anyone who wishes may observe. However, the vote of the individual citizen is secret, and no one may interfere with a voter's right to cast a secret ballot.
Members of the precinct boards are sworn election officials of the County of Orange and have complete responsibility for conducting all phases of the election in their precinct. Observers who are courteous will find them cooperative. However, certain standards are expected of observers.
1. Poll watchers may not interfere in any way with the conduct of the election or with the vote count following the close of the polls. Any person who interferes with the election or with a voter is punishable by imprisonment in the state prison for 16 months or two or three years. (Elections Code §18502)
2. The election must be orderly. Do not talk in a loud voice, cause confusion, or congregate inside the polls. Do not ask to use the telephone or other facilities.
3. The area between the official table and the voting booths is for voters only and may not be used as an observer post. (Elections Code §14221)
4. Poll watchers may not sit at the official table or handle any of the official voting equipment, supplies, or ballots. (Elections Code §14223)
5. Poll watchers may not wear candidate badges, discuss candidates, or bring any campaign material into the polling place. This constitutes electioneering and is illegal. Electioneering may not be conducted within 100 feet of a polling place. The term "100 feet of a polling place" means a distance of 100 feet from the room or rooms in which voters are signing the Combined Roster-Index and casting ballots. The blue "POLLING PLACE 100'" signs which are posted outside, indicate the 100 foot boundary for electioneering. (Elections Code §18370)
6. No one may be within 100 feet of a polling place while wearing a firearm or a peace officer or security guard uniform. NOTE: Certain exceptions to this general rule are outlined in the Elections Code. (Elections Code §18544)
7. The Precinct board will cooperate with any reasonable request from observers who are considerate. The Registrar's Office has instructed Precinct Officers to ask unruly poll watchers to leave, and to ask for assistance from Registrar Field Teams if necessary.
8. Poll watchers may NOT remove the posted Precinct Street Index from its location for any reason.
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHALL THE MEMBERS OF A PRECINCT BOARD LOCK THEMSELVES IN A ROOM WHERE THE PUBLIC DOES NOT HAVE ACCESS TO WATCH THE PROCEDURES FOLLOWING THE CLOSING OF THE POLLS.
