A Poll Watcher is a representative of a candidate, political party, civic organization or proposition who is legally in the polling place to observe the conduct of the election. All Poll Watchers must be registered voters.

A Poll Watcher must surrender a signed credential to the judges of election upon entering a polling place. After a credential has been surrendered to the judges, a Poll Watcher may enter and leave at will, without presenting an additional credential.

Precinct Committeemen, Poll Watchers, and candidates must have a credential in order to remain in the polling place.

Credentials

Number of Poll Watchers

In a primary election, Poll Watchers permitted in each precinct, at a given time, are:

Two (2) Poll Watchers per candidate.
One (1) Poll Watcher per political party.
One (1) Poll Watcher per qualified civic organization
One (1) Poll Watcher for proponents and opponents to a proposition.

In a general election, Poll Watchers permitted in each precinct, at a given time, are:

Two (2) Poll Watchers per candidate.
Two (2) Poll Watchers per political party.
One (1) Poll Watcher per qualified civic organization
One (1) Poll Watcher for proponents and opponents to a proposition.

If, in the opinion of the judges, the polling place becomes too crowded with Poll Watchers to permit the orderly conduct of the election, the judges may limit the number of Poll Watchers in an objective manner.

A Poll Watcher Has The Right to:

Observe the conduct of the election in the precinct polling place, which includes the right to:

Hear and see the instructions given to each voter on the demonstration unit.
Visually compare the signature in the signature book with the signature on the voter's application for ballot. This includes standing behind the judges while the comparison is made.
Observe the judge make the proper marking in the signature book to indicate the voter has voted.
Challenge any voter if he/she believes the voter is not qualified to vote in the precinct. The challenge is directed to the judges, not the voter, and the judges will determine whether the challenge is valid.
Observe the judge initial and issue each ballot card and envelope.
Observe the judge deposit the voted ballot in the ballot box.
Inspect vacant voting stations to ensure the unit has not been tampered with or damaged.
Observe the canvass of the vote. This includes observing the judges process ballot cards and envelopes and remove the ballot cards from the envelopes.

Call the ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT at 630-232-5990 if he/she believes the judges are not carrying out their duties properly.

A Poll Watcher May Not:

Remain in the polling place without surrendering a credential to the judges.
Instruct voters inside the polling place or within 100 feet to the door to the room serving as the polling place.
Electioneer inside the polling place.
Leaf through spindled applications for ballot, signature book or other official election materials.
Observe a voter receiving lawful assistance at a voting unit.
Touch or handle any election materials.
Be disorderly or disruptive of the voting process.
Continue protesting to the judges after the judges have ruled on a protest made by the Poll Watcher.

Poll Watchers in the Office of the Kane County Clerk

In-person absentee voting is scheduled prior to each election in the office of the Kane County Clerk. Each candidate, political party and qualified civic organization is permitted one Poll Watcher in the absentee voting area at any given time.

Absentee ballots which are received in the County Clerk's office before 7:00 p.m. on election day, but cannot be delivered to the precinct before the polls close, are counted in the County Clerk's office. Two Poll Watchers from each political party are permitted to observe these counting procedures.

Nursing Home Voting

Absentee voting in nursing homes is scheduled by the County Clerk on the Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday prior to the election.

Poll Watchers during nursing home voting must meet the same requirements as Poll Watchers on election day. The number of Poll Watchers at a given time is the same as in the precinct polling place on election day.

Once a Poll Watcher has surrendered a valid credential to the election judges, the Poll Watcher may leave and reenter the nursing home during voting unless the action disrupts the conduct of voting.

A Poll Watcher is allowed to be present in the nursing home during the conduct of voting and until its completion. A Poll Watcher may accompany the judges into the voting area, but may not observe the ballot being marked or the ballot after marking nor may they listen to a voter direct the marking of the ballot.

When non-ambulatory voting (room-to-room) is occurring, the Poll Watcher must remain outside the door of the room. The door must remain open to ensure the integrity of the election.

If the number of Poll Watchers crowds the voting area and interferes with the conduct of the voting, the judges may reduce the Poll Watchers to a reasonable number by drawing lots.

Watchers During Area Registration Days

Each candidate, established political party and qualified civic organization is entitled to one watcher at each registration site on Area Registration Days. Watchers are permitted to see the names and addresses of newly registered voters at the location and may copy the information as the registration is taken, if it does not interfere with the registration process.

How to File a Complaint with the County Clerk's Office

All persons including voters, Poll Watchers and judges of election, have the right to file a complaint with the Kane County Clerk's Office.

A complaint may be filed over the telephone, in writing or in person. The person filing a complaint has the right to receive a written response regarding the outcome of the complaint (if a mailing address is provided at the time the complaint is filed).

Qualifications and Responsibilities