2.  Agenda ▪ Overview of election and election staff ▪ Opening of polls  5 minute break ▪ Common tasks and issues that may arise ▪ Closing of the polls  Objectives  Learn about duties/responsibilities of poll workers  Learn how to efficiently run your precinct  Learn how to operate the voting machines in your precinct  Learn how to design a friendly, welcoming polling place

4.  Must be a U.S. Citizen (unless you are an interpreter)  Must be a registered voter in MA  Does everyone here meet these requirements?  Make sure you have signed-in

5.  No partisan apparel, buttons, signs, etc.  No discussion regarding the current election  No assisting voters with actual voting  The 150 ft rule for electioneering should be strictly enforced 150 ft

6.  “I solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and that I will faithfully and impartially discharge the duties imposed upon me by my appointment as an Election Officer of the City of Boston, according to the Laws of this Commonwealth, so help me God.”

8.  Managing the election staff and polling place  Assigning election duties to the election staff  Assuring the rules and rights governing voters and observers are followed  Supervising the completion of all tasks  Wardens should have a “game plan” for the day and be prepared to manage the team  Ensure team members have specific tasks  Ensure team members get reasonable breaks

9.  Record all activities and observers in Clerk’s Book. This is a “written record” of the events of the day.  Manages all forms and duties listed in the Clerk’s book  Tally the votes after the polls close  Supervises or performs tasks assigned by the Warden

10.  Help setup the polling precinct  Help at Check-In or Check-Out tables  Help with requests of the Warden  Assist with closing the polling precinct

11. INTERPRETERS  If it appears there could be a language barrier the election officer should seek the assistance of the interpreter  There are some tasks that interpreters cannot do and may require the assistance of an election officer POLICE OFFICERS  Brings the secure Gray Ballot Box to the polling place  Staffs the Check-Out table  Is under jurisdiction of the Warden  When required, maintaining order in and around the polling place  Returns supplies to City Hall

12. (1) Check-in(2) Mark Ballot(3) Check-out(4) Scan Ballot Your polling location should be arranged to make certain this process runs smoothly

13.  Post all signage  Set up polling location in accordance with the checklist  Get the Optical Scanner ready for the day  Count all the Ballots  Announce the poll open at 7:00!

15.  Inserting the Ballot  Using Audio  Changing Contrast  Zoom  Write-in candidates  Any Voter who wishes to use the Auto-Mark should be allowed

16.  Please take a few minutes to stretch, talk to your neighbors, or ask questions

17.  Most voters will come in, vote, and leave  Some voters will need extra assistance  The following section outlines what kinds of things might come up on election day…

18. (1) Check-in: Voter announces address and name to poll worker who checks off name (2) Mark Ballot: Voter votes (3) Check-out: Voter announces address and name to police officer who checks off name (4) Scan Ballot: Voter puts ballot into voting machine

19.  Why would a voters’ name NOT be on the list?  Voter at wrong location  Clerical error  Voter did not register in time  What to do  Check for Errors: is the name spelled incorrectly?  If it is a clerical Error - Affirmation of Current and Continuous Residence and a Voter Registration form  If a voter is not on the list but insists on voting call the Election Department  It is possible you will need to issue a Provisional Ballot

20.  Why do some people have “ID” next to their names?  First time voters in MA who registered by mail and did not submit an acceptable form of ID at that time  You will need to ask the voter for an ID. It does not need to be a photo ID!  What are acceptable forms of ID? ▪ Driver’s license ▪ current utility bill ▪ bank statement ▪ payroll ▪ government check ▪ Other government document showing name and address  If no ID is presented the voter must fill out a Provisional Ballot

21.  “I” means “Inactive”  Why would someone be listed as Inactive?  Did not respond to annual listing of residents  Moved within City but did not submit change of address to Election Department  Moved out of the city, but did not register to vote in new city or town  You ask the voter for proper identification  If proper ID is shown the voter may vote regularly after filling out Affirmation and Voter Registration  If the voter does not present ID – The ballot must be Challenged

22.  AV indicates the voter may have already voted absentee  Call the Election Department  Follow the instructions given !

23.  Call the Election Department  Follow the instructions given !

24.  What is a provisional ballot?  Ballots used by voters whose identities cannot be vouched for or in situations where there may be a question about the a voter’s eligibility  Why would a Provisional Ballot need to be issued?  A person who is not on the Voter List may demand to cast a ballot  A person who did not register before the registration deadline may demand to cast a ballot  A voter with an “ID” next to his/her name does NOT provide acceptable identification, he/she must cast a Provisional Ballot

25. VOTER Fills out: Voter Registration form Provisional Ballot Affirmation “Provisional Ballot” in envelope Envelope B Envelope A ELECTION OFFICER Fills out: Provisional Ballot Roster Provisional Ballot Affirmation Assigns a ballot number

26.  What is a “Challenge Ballot”?  Any person may challenge a voter as long as they have a specific reason. That reason must be recorded on the ballot itself.  Record in Clerk’s Book  Voter fills out Affirmation  Fill out the BACK of ballot ▪ The word “CHALLENGE ▪ Challenger’s name and address ▪ Election officer’s name and position ▪ Reason for the challenge  Vote writes their name and address on back

27.  Administer the Challenged Voter’s Oath:  “You do solemnly swear (or affirm) that you are the identical person whom you represent yourself to be, that you are registered in this Precinct, and that you have not voted in this election.”  Allow the voter to vote regularly

28.  Process absentee ballots the same as if the voter were there.  Since the voter is not present an election officer should take the place of the voter  Say name and address at the Check-In and Check- out tables  Insert ballots into Optical Scanner

29.  When in doubt, ask! Talk to your Warden. Call. The Election Department is on-hand to help.  When things happen, write it down in the Clerk’s book.  If you are assisting a voter, handling ballots, etc., ALWAYS have a witness.

30.  Announce the polls closed at 8:00 pm  Allow the voters in line before the closing announcement is made to vote  The training manual contains a detailed step- by-step list for closing down the polling site  TIP: Ask another election officer to read the following instructions to you as you perform each one.

31.  Fill out “Affirmation” forms  Case studies  Anyone with questions, please ask!