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WHO'S WHO AT THE POLLS

A Polling Place, a single room with every part visible from any part, is selected in each election district for registered voters to vote. Each city, borough, and township is divided into election districts. There are 68 election districts in Indiana County. The county Board of Elections selects a polling place, usually a public building, for each district and sees that the room is divided so that no one outside the inner part of the room is within six feet of the ballot box. Two or more polling places may be in the same building. Polling places are not allowed where beer and liquor are sold. The Polling Place is open from 7 am to 8 pm on Election Day, Nov. 4, 2008. Call the Indiana County Voter’s Registration at 724-465-3852 for the location of your polling place.

The District Officials are a Judge of Elections, a Majority Inspector, and a Minority Inspector. They are elected every four years by the voters in each election district. These three persons form the Election District Board. The election officials are assisted by one or more appointed clerks.

Poll watchers, two for each candidate at any election and three for each party and political body at general, municipal, and special elections, may be appointed by candidates and political parties and bodies. The county Board of Elections issues a certificate in the name of each poll watcher, authorizing that person to be in the polling place.

Inside the Polling Place the judge of elections supervises all activities. The majority and minority inspectors and clerk:

  • post a fully visible sample ballot at the entry to the polling place
  • post a list of absentee ballot voters for that polling place
  • receive a signed and completed voter's certificate from each voter,
  • check the signed certificates against the signatures in the district register,
  • place the signed certificates in a binder called the voting check list,
  • add each voter's name to two numbered lists of voters.

Poll Watchers observe all the activities within the polling place. Any watcher or voter may challenge the identity of any voter or witness. Whether or not the challenged voter may vote is determined by the election officials. If they do not agree, the question is referred to the Court of Common Pleas that sits all day on Election Day in order to resolve these and other issues.

All persons, except election officials, clerks, watchers, persons in the course of voting, persons lawfully giving assistance to voters, and peace and police officers when permitted by law, must remain AT LEAST TEN FEET FROM THE POLLING PLACE during the progress of the voting.

No person when within the polling place may campaign or solicit votes for any political party, political body, or candidate. No campaign material may be within the polling place. Police officers must stay at least 100 feet from the polling place unless they are requested to serve warrants or to preserve the peace.

VOTERS BILL OF RIGHTS

YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO:

  • Get answers to any questions you may have about voting from election personnel
  • Vote in private
  • Vote with a provisional ballot if your name isn't on the precinct list or an election official challenges your eligibility even though you are registered and eligible to vote
  • Not have inappropriate comments made to you or be hassled
  • Get help in emergency situations which will allow you to use the voting device
  • Have assistance if you cannot read or have a disability. You may choose the person to help you (except the judge of elections, your employer or an officer or agent of your union). Need for assistance should be noted on the voter registration card.
  • Get a replacement ballot if you make a mistake
  • Vote if you are in line when the polls close
  • Request an alternative ballot if your polling place is not accessible
  • Take your minor children into the polling place and take one minor child into the voting booth with you.

If this is the first time you have voted in this precinct, you will be asked for identification.

A Citizen Poll Watchers Checklist is available online at www.palwv.org for assessing whether your polling place is in compliance. If you think something is wrong, report it to the Judge of Elections. If you are still not satisfied, call the Indiana County Board of Elections at 724-465-3805. For further information from the PA Bureau of Elections go to http://www.votespa.com and click on Election Day or call 1.877.VOTESPA


 

 
 

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