(COVID-19 Emergency Procedures)
- Due to COVID-19 precautions and limited physical distancing, in-person observation may be limited at any time due to space considerations. All observers should be following CDC and County Health guidelines to self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms.
- Election observers must wear a face covering if unvaccinated and maintain personal space to avoid overcrowding.
- Election observers must wear an identification badge.
- Election observers must not touch any voting materials or equipment (EC §§ 15104, 15204).
- Election observers may not sit at any designated official table (EC §Sec. 14223(a)).
- The use of force, violence, tactic of coercion or intimidation to compel a person to vote or refrain from voting at any election is a felony punishable by imprisonment in state prison for up to three years (EC § 18540).
- Attempting to ascertain the identity and ballot choices of a voter or having observed or learned the identity of a voter, attempting to ascertain the ballot choices of that voter is strictly prohibited (EC § 18562.5).
- Damaging or tampering with voting equipment or official election materials is a felony, punishable by imprisonment in state prison for up to 4 years (EC § 18564).
- Post-election activities at the tally center are open to public observation but no interference is allowed. Individual signatures CANNOT be challenged; however, an observer may challenge the procedure used to verify a signature. Interference with the election and canvass is punishable by imprisonment in state prison for up to three years (EC § 18502).
- Talking in loud voices, disruptive behavior, which causes confusion or the congregating of a large number of people, is not permitted. Onsite telephones or other non-designated facilities are not available for the use of observers including but not limited to the restrooms. Observers may use the public restrooms on the 2nd floor of our facility.
- Election observers may not use cellular phones, pagers, two-way radios, or recording devices during the election observation process. Phone calls will only be permitted outside of the front lobby doors.
- The use or disclosure of voter registration information for any personal, private, or commercial purpose, including for any of the following: (a) the harassment of a voter or voter's household; (b) the advertising, solicitation, sale, or marketing of products or services to a voter or voter's household; or (c) reproduction in print, broadcast visual or audio, or display on the Internet is strictly prohibited.