Poll Watcher Rights and Responsibilities

A poll watcher may be:

1. A candidate in person, but only during the counting and tabulation of ballots and the processing of
   absentee ballots;
2. An authorized representative of a candidate;
3. An authorized representative of a group seeking the passage or defeat of a measure on the ballot; or
4. An authorized representative of a party with a candidate on the ballot.

Official recognition of poll watchers:

1. Only one (1) authorized poll watcher per candidate, group, or party at any one (1) given time may be
   officially recognized as a poll watcher at each location within a polling site where voters identify
   themselves to election officials;
2. Only one (1) authorized poll watcher per candidate, group, or party at any one (1) given time may be
   officially recognized as a poll watcher at each location within the absentee ballot processing site where
   absentee ballots are processed; and
3. Only one (1) authorized poll watcher per candidate or party at any one (1) given time may be officially
   recognized as a poll watcher at the counting of the ballots.

Poll watcher credentials:

1. Except for candidates in person, poll watchers must present a valid affidavit in the form of a “Poll
   Watcher Authorization Form” to an election official immediately upon entering the polling or counting
   location.
2. Candidates in person attending a counting site or absentee ballot processing site are not required to
   present a “Poll Watcher Authorization Form” but must present some form of identification to an election official immediately upon entering the site for the purpose of confirming the poll watcher as a candidate on the ballot.

Poll watchers may:

1. Observetheelectionofficials;
2. Stand close enough to the place where voters check in to vote so as to hear the voter’s name;
3. Compilelistsofpersonsvoting;
4. Challenge ballots upon notification to an election official before the voter signs the precinct voter
   registration list and upon completing a “Challenged Ballot Form”;
5. Call to the attention of the election sheriff any occurrence believed to be an irregularity or violation of election law. The poll watcher may not discuss the occurrence unless the election sheriff invites the
   discussion; and
6. Be present at the opening, processing, and canvassing of absentee ballots for the purpose of challenging
   absentee votes in the manner provided by law for personal voting challenges.

Poll watchers representing a candidate or political party may:

1. Remain at the polling site after the poll closes if ballots are counted at the poll;
2. Be present at the counting of votes by hand or by an electronic vote tabulating device at a central
   location;
3. Be present at the counting of absentee ballots for the purpose of witnessing the counting of ballots by
   election officials and determining whether ballots are fairly and accurately counted; and
4. Upon request made to an election official, inspect any or all ballots at the time the ballots are being
   counted.

Poll watchers may not:

1. Be within six feet (6’) of any voting machine or booth used by voters to cast their ballot;
2. Speak to any voter or in any way attempt to influence a voter inside the polling site or within one
   hundred feet (100’) of the primary exterior entrance used by voters to the building containing the polling
   site; or
3. Disrupt the orderly conduct of the election.

Source: Arkansas Poll Watcher Authorization Form (PDF)

What happens if a poll watcher challenges my ballot?

• An election official must inform you that your ballot is being challenged by a poll watcher.
• The poll watcher must complete a Challenged Ballot Form.
• You must complete an “eligibility affirmation,” which is simply a written statement that you are an eligible voter.
• You must vote on a paper ballot initialed by the election official.
• You must place the Provisional Ballot in a single envelope marked “Provisional Ballot” and seal it.
• The election official must maintain a separate list of names of provisional voters.
• All Provisional Ballots must be preserved, secured and separated from the remaining ballots so that the county board of election commissioners can verify registration and determine whether the votes may be counted.
• Before the results of the election are certified, the county board of election commissioners must determine whether the Provisional Ballots are valid. If the commissioners suspect that election laws have been violated, they may refer the matter to the prosecuting attorney.

Source: Arkansas Secretary of State: FAQs About Voting