Election Administration….Top 20 Do’s and Don’ts NC State Board of Elections Elections 101: Getting Back To Basics (For New Directors and CBE Members) Elections Training Cary N.C., August 2014

#20 “You’re Out of Politics” The above is the August 2013 quote of SBE Chairman Josh Howard. Growing concern about social media use of CBE Members that imply a public “support” of a candidate. Yard signs. G.S

#19 Most Irritating Election Day Issue BUFFER ZONE VIOLATIONS “Not the Crime of the Century”, but if one gets away with it, others will follow. Avoid threat of arrest. See GS Set boundaries. G.S

#18 Check That Website! Is your CBE website up to date? CBE Members are you aware of the information on your website? Read the SBE website. Link to the SBE website from your CBE website as needed. Social media…be prepared.

#17 Emergency, Disaster and Contingency Plans Make sure your poll workers know what to do in case of emergencies and disasters at the polling place. This should be included in training and material given to them. Do you have an emergency, disaster, or contingency plans for your county office and polling sites?

#16 Voter Assistance Some voters will always get upset when seeing voter assistance. It is required both by Federal and State Law. It has been NC law since the 1930’s. Because it generates controversy, make sure the poll workers are conducting it properly. GS , , 8 NCAC 10B.0107

#15 NEVER LET A VOTER VOTE TWICE If the list of voters at the polls show that voter as already having voted absentee or otherwise, do not let that voter vote twice. They may vote a provisional. If they continue to protest or alleges someone voted in their place, send them to the county office. GS

#14 SAMPLE BALLOT ISSUES § 163 ‑ Sample ballots. (a) County Board to Produce and Distribute Sample Ballots. – The county board of elections shall produce sample ballots, in all the necessary ballot styles of the official ballot, for every election to be held in the county. The sample ballots shall be given an appearance that clearly distinguishes them from official ballots. The county board shall distribute sample ballots to the chief judge of every precinct in which the election is to be conducted. The chief judge shall post a sample ballot in the voting place and may use it for instructional purposes. The county board of elections may use the sample ballot for other informational purposes. (b) Document Resembling an Official Ballot to Contain Disclaimer. – No person other than a board of elections shall produce or disseminate a document substantially resembling an official ballot unless the document contains on its face a prominent statement that the document was not produced by a board of elections and is not an official ballot. (2001 ‑ 460, s. 3.)

#13 Training of Poll Workers The effort you put into it is worth it. Make sure all your workers “get it”. Poll worker error is the #1 cause of election day problems Nobody remembers the poll worker that made the mistake, they remember the county.

#12 Keeping “Track” of Certain Poll Workers Polls are not social clubs You may have to hurt feelings Work with Political Parties 8 NCAC 10B.0101

#11 Even Handed Treatment Of Voters Of Candidates Of Political Parties GS and

#10 READ SBOE S A Director’s from this agency is important Make sure in your absence someone has access to SBOE e- mail

#10 Is your managing you or are you managing it? 1. “Don’t mistake activity for achievement” Coach John Wooden. The nature of causes us to want respond quicker… maybe without thinking it through. 2. Never react emotionally. 3. Can’t assume the addressee gets the Keep it professional in appearance and tone. 5. Watch out for confidentiality. 6. Strive for an empty box but understand that is not always possible. Make decisions to manage but not in a way like hiding things in the closet. Prioritize, always read SBE promptly. 7. Think before you hit “reply all”.

#9 Don’t Guess, Give Us a Call The ultimate authority lies with the SBOE…………… GS Your neighboring county may not be right. We will get you a response.

#8 Don’t Presume the Voter/Candidate Knows What You Know Document Incidents Provide the Law Explain Positions

#8 Don’t Take it Personally 1. Because most CBE’s and the SBE answer their phones with persons, we become a human target for many frustrated citizens. 2. Allowing citizens to vent, as long as they do not become abusive, is a positive thing. 3. Don’t try to educate citizens who are irrational or looking for an argument, it can’t be done without making them madder. 4. All public servants are unjustly attacked and blamed, you are not special. 5. If valid question are asked, answer them. If you can not answer them refer the person to a source that can answer them. Yes, that can be the SBE. 6. If call gets abusive, terminate in positive way or place on speaker to allow others to hear and act as a witness if needed.

#7 Open Meetings/Notice and Public Records Don’t forget to post notice of meetings. Reach out to the media and interested parties. All documents, even in draft stage, are public records. Protect the voter’s confidential data. Chapter 143 and 132 of the General Statutes

#6 Conduct the Post- Election Sample Audit Ballot Count Correctly Follow the SBOE lead on this…don’t vary from precincts selected or procedure. GS (b)

#5 Timely Testing Don’t wait until the last minute to test voting systems…take advantage of SBOE Voting Systems staff. CBE Members..play some role. GS (d)(8)and 8 NCAC

#4 Ballot Scanners Make sure your poll workers use them. They prevent the #1 error at the polls …voters being given the wrong ballot. Near disaster in one precinct May 2014 when some now ex-poll workers just decided not to use…margin of victory…prevented new election.

#3 Red Flags on Election Returns Do the return numbers look funny? Sense anything out of the ordinary? Yes…pay attention to that sixth sense. Have expectations based upon prior experience and your prior numbers that are not being met?

#2 Count it right Accuracy Openness Both of these override the need for speed of reporting the returns. GS

# 1 Reconcile Election Returns If the numbers don’t match……find out why Your credibility is at stake GS and 8 NCAC 10B.0105