Here's what you should know about Iowa poll watchers on Election Day. What can they do?
(This story was updated because an earlier version included an inaccuracy.)
Don't be surprised if you see someone — maybe a neighbor or an acquaintance — silently observing you on the sidelines of your polling site while casting your ballot on Election Day this November.
Poll watchers, who have been around since the 1800s, will be present across the nation for the general election. The Republican National Committee announced in April it plans to enlist more than 100,000 volunteers and attorneys in battleground states for the election, county officials in Iowa say they're getting more volunteers.
Early in-person absentee voting begins in Iowa on Oct. 16 and Election Day is Nov. 5.
Here's what to know about poll watchers, according to guidance from the Iowa Secretary of State's Office.
More: Election fraud fears are raising the call in Iowa for poll watchers. What that means:
Who are poll watchers?
Poll watchers are volunteers who are approved to observe, but not interfere, with Election Day operations. They also have permission to be in the room when absentee ballots are counted before the polls close at 8 p.m. on Nov. 5.
The U.S. Election Assistance Commission says each state has its own regulations on what poll watchers, sometimes called "election observers," can and can't do on Election Day.
What is the difference between a poll watcher and a poll worker?
Elections officials and county auditors train poll workers to help run the election at a given precinct on Election Day. The Iowa Secretary of State's Office says poll workers are the face of the election during voting.
Poll watchers, who aren't government employees, can observe parts of the election process but have restrictions on what they can or cannot do during the election. They are not involved in collecting people's votes.
What can poll watchers do?
Poll watchers are allowed to do the following at the polls on Election Day, according to the Iowa Secretary of State's Office:
Look at the eligibility slips or voter rosters.
Write down the names of people who have or have not voted.
Challenge a voter’s qualifications.
Report "perceived problems" in the precinct to the county auditor.
What can't Iowa's poll watchers do?
Poll watchers in Iowa have to follow several rules on Election Day to not infringe on the voting process. According to the Iowa Secretary of State's Office, here's what a poll watcher is not allowed to do:
Handle the ballots, voting equipment or election register.
Inspect documents produced by voters that establish identity because they might have confidential information.
Compare a voter's signature to a signature on any document, ballot or ballot envelope.
Disenfranchise voters by encouraging challenged voters to cast provisional ballots inprecincts where they do not live.
Engage in arguments with precinct election official, voters or other poll watchers.
Interrupt, hinder, oppose or talk to a voter while in line or while the voter is approachingthe polling place.
Solicit votes for candidates or questions and offer advice or literature to voters.
Wear any apparel or accessories related to politics.
Use polling location supplies.
What is a challenge to a voter's qualifications?
Poll watchers, a registered voter or the precinct election official can "challenge" a voter's qualifications on Election Day.
Challenges are claims that can be brought against a voter for:
Not being a U.S. citizen.
Being less than 18 years old on Election Day.
Not being a resident at the address where the person is registered.
Not being a resident of the precinct where the person is voting.
Falsifying information on voter registration or a declaration of eligibility forms.
Being convicted of a felony.
Being adjudged incompetent to vote with no subsequent proceeding declaring the person competent again.
Impersonating someone who is dead.
A challenger has to fill out a "Challenger's Statement" from the Iowa Secretary of State for each claim.
The Iowa Secretary of State's Office says a precinct election official and person challenging a voter if given permission can ask them:
Where does the voter maintain a home and for how long at that location?
Does the voter maintain a home at any other location?
What is the voter’s age?
The Iowa Secretary of State's Office says poll watchers who challenge a voter have to be registered voters in the county where the challenge occurs.
The Iowa Secretary of State Office says challenges can be withdrawn at the polling place, and then the voter can cast a regular ballot. If the challenge is not withdrawn, the voter will be given a provisional ballot.
More: Voting in Iowa When does early voting start in Iowa? Here's when you can vote in-person this fall.
Who can't be a poll watcher in Iowa?
In Iowa, a candidate who is running an office on the ballot, an incumbent who held office or a precinct election official can't be poll watchers.
How do I become a poll watcher in Iowa?
Becoming a poll watcher takes a couple of steps. First, poll watchers are appointed by a group in a few ways:
By a political party executive or central committees.
By nonparty political organizations.
By candidates who are “Nominated by Petition."
By groups who oppose or support public measures on the ballot. However, poll watchers for public measures can't participate during primary and general elections.
Once poll watchers arrive at the polling place they want to observe, they must provide written permission at the polling place or absentee precinct to prove they were appointed.
The Iowa Secretary of State's Office says candidates who are nominated by petition can use the state's official “Poll Watcher Designation Form. Political parties have to give poll watchers credentials but aren't required to use the designation form.
How many poll watchers can be at each location in Iowa?
There's a limit on how many poll watchers can be at each location:
Each political party with a candidate on the ballot Nov. 5 can appoint three poll watchers in each polling place.
Each candidate nominated by petition can appoint one poll watcher.
Each nonparty organization that has a candidate on the ballot can appoint one poll watcher.
Poll watchers are not allowed for public measures in primary and general elections.
Editor's note: A previously published version of this story incorrectly described one of Iowa's rules on poll watchers. Each political party with a candidate on the ballot Nov. 5 can appoint three poll watchers in each polling place.
Sabine Martin covers politics for the Register. She can be reached by email at [email protected] or by phone at (515) 284-8132. Follow her on X at @sabinefmartin.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: What Iowa's poll watchers can and can't do on Election Day