A poll watcher is someone who is asked by a candidate, political party or political committee to observe the election process at a polling place or early voting area. Their role is to watch for any violations of election laws and report them to the clerk of the election board.

The clerk is in charge of the precinct and supervises the inspectors and the deputy.  The inspectors assist the voters. The deputy is responsible for maintaining order and the enforcement of solicitation laws.

In St. Lucie County, a poll watcher must be a registered voter of the county. Candidates, political parties and political committees must designate their poll watchers in writing before noon on the second Tuesday before the election. For early voting areas, the designations must be submitted to the Supervisor of Elections at least 14 days before early voting begins.

A poll watcher’s authority comes from Florida Statute 101.131. The Supervisor of Elections must approve or disapprove poll watcher applications for early voting no later than 7 days before early voting begins. Poll watchers for Election Day polling rooms must be approved or disapproved by the Tuesday before the election. The Supervisor of Elections must provide each election board with a list of approved poll watchers for early voting areas or polling rooms.

A candidate, sheriff, deputy sheriff, police officer, or any law enforcement officer is not allowed to serve as a poll watcher.

Each candidate, political party and political committee may designate one poll watcher in each early voting area or polling place at any one time during the election.

A poll watcher must not interfere with or impede the conduct of an election. They should not come closer to the official’s table or voting booths than is necessary. Poll watchers are not allowed to speak to voters or inspectors unless they observe something questionable. All questions must be directed to the clerk of the election board.

The poll watcher is responsible for supplying any necessary items or materials he or she will need at the polling place that day.

The main role of a poll watcher is to observe what happens at the polling room. They have the right to see that the ballot box is empty before the first ballot is cast. They can also observe the distribution of ballots to voters and the depositing of ballots into the Accu-Vote machine from a reasonable distance. If a poll watcher observes what they believe to be a violation, they can challenge a voter’s right to vote by stating their case to the election board. The challenge must be put in writing with an oath of a Person Entering Challenge according to Florida Statute 101.111. After all ballots have been cast, the poll watcher may observe the closing procedures at the polls.