My Poll Watcher Suggestions
This is a thing.
1 Go to the polls with your specific ballot for your precinct. Voters have reported having missing candidates/ bonds on ballot. I saw countless voters no ballots struggling with selections. Long lines process slowed.
2 SOS has directed that TX will be following the explicit law, via an advisory, to have preprinted, numerical sequential, EJ initials on back, no computer generated numbers on the front. Depends on the machine what identification was/is used. The ballots should be fanned out and voter randomly picks one. Not handed on by staff as was done. This ensures anonymity for voter and transparency for observers. RECORD your number if you want to check later. I saw a lady poorly served yesterday by the elections staff. A combination of very poor training and confrontational personalities. You cannot use your phone to take a picture. But you can use a pen/pencil to write this number down. And since you have brought your paper ballot, you have a place to record it.
3 Voters were very pleased to see the poll watchers. Voters know something is wrong.
4 My limited anecdotal experience, the staff were not devious. But they were poorly trained, a hostile personality with one (he had an open beverage can next to 2 epoll books) bad practice, and the EJ eventually did the right thing many hours and voters later with ballots. Not sure if he permitted PW to observe properly.
5 PW were prohibited from actually observing the voters from being checked in (epoll books). By law, PW are permitted to stand behind and observe. Calls were made for remedy, none forth coming while I was there.Limitations of a corrupt DA, election staff, and emergency hotlines.
6 AF well represented. EJ prior enlisted, 3 PWs had AF ties. One woman older than me, prior, was so helpful. Her leadership and guidance was wonderful for me.
7 I have another shift, I have better understanding, will do better.
