Bullies at the Ballot Box - Demos
Bullies at the Ballot Box - Demos
Bullies at the Ballot Box - Demos
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A w<strong>at</strong>cher is, however, entitled to be present<br />
<strong>at</strong> <strong>the</strong> voting st<strong>at</strong>ion when a voter is being<br />
assisted by an election officer, and <strong>the</strong> w<strong>at</strong>cher<br />
is entitled to examine <strong>the</strong> ballot before it<br />
is deposited in <strong>the</strong> ballot box to determine<br />
whe<strong>the</strong>r it is prepared in accordance with <strong>the</strong><br />
voter’s wishes.<br />
TEXAS ELECTION CODE § 33.057<br />
S<strong>at</strong>ISFaCtory<br />
Virginia law protects voters<br />
against intimid<strong>at</strong>ion and viol<strong>at</strong>ions<br />
of <strong>the</strong>ir privacy. The<br />
law prohibits electioneering,<br />
interference with voters,<br />
and any devices th<strong>at</strong> could<br />
be used to record voters. It<br />
is good th<strong>at</strong> Virginia has a<br />
st<strong>at</strong>utory basis for removing<br />
represent<strong>at</strong>ives th<strong>at</strong> are disturbing<br />
<strong>the</strong> orderly conduct<br />
of elections.<br />
Virginia could improve<br />
its laws by restricting <strong>the</strong><br />
individuals who can become<br />
authorized represent<strong>at</strong>ives to<br />
members of <strong>the</strong> precinct.<br />
Election officials must permit <strong>at</strong> least one<br />
authorized represent<strong>at</strong>ive for each political<br />
party or candid<strong>at</strong>e in <strong>the</strong> room in which <strong>the</strong><br />
election is being conducted <strong>at</strong> all times. Election<br />
officials have <strong>the</strong> discretion to permit as<br />
many as three represent<strong>at</strong>ives of each political<br />
party or independent candid<strong>at</strong>e to remain<br />
in <strong>the</strong> room in which <strong>the</strong> election is being<br />
conducted.<br />
VA. CODE ANN. § 24.2-604(C)<br />
Authorized represent<strong>at</strong>ives must be allowed,<br />
whe<strong>the</strong>r in a regular polling place or central<br />
absentee voter precinct, to be close enough<br />
to <strong>the</strong> voter check-in table to be able to hear<br />
and see wh<strong>at</strong> is occurring. However, such<br />
observ<strong>at</strong>ion shall not viol<strong>at</strong>e <strong>the</strong> secrecy of<br />
<strong>the</strong> ballot protected by <strong>the</strong> Virginia st<strong>at</strong>e<br />
constitution.<br />
VA. CODE ANN. § 24.2-604(C); VA.<br />
CONST. ART. 2, § 3<br />
Authorized represent<strong>at</strong>ives may not “hinder<br />
or delay a qualified voter or <strong>the</strong> officers of<br />
election, provide or exhibit campaign m<strong>at</strong>erials,<br />
<strong>at</strong>tempt to influence a person voting,<br />
or o<strong>the</strong>rwise impede <strong>the</strong> orderly conduct of<br />
<strong>the</strong> election.” Officers of election have <strong>the</strong><br />
authority to remove any authorized represent<strong>at</strong>ive<br />
who does not adhere to <strong>the</strong> applicable<br />
guidelines.<br />
VA. CODE ANN. § 24.2-604<br />
Authorized represent<strong>at</strong>ives are allowed to<br />
use wireless communic<strong>at</strong>ions devices, but<br />
<strong>the</strong>y are not permitted to use <strong>the</strong> camera or<br />
video function on those devices. Officers of<br />
election may prohibit <strong>the</strong> use of cellular telephones<br />
or o<strong>the</strong>r handheld wireless communic<strong>at</strong>ions<br />
devices if such use will unlawfully<br />
impede, influence, or intimid<strong>at</strong>e voters.<br />
VA. CODE ANN. § 24.2-604(C)<br />
Authorized represent<strong>at</strong>ives are design<strong>at</strong>ed<br />
by a party chairman or candid<strong>at</strong>e.<br />
Each authorized represent<strong>at</strong>ive must<br />
present to <strong>the</strong> officers of election a written<br />
st<strong>at</strong>ement (or copy), signed by <strong>the</strong><br />
party chairman or candid<strong>at</strong>e, design<strong>at</strong>ing<br />
him as <strong>the</strong> party’s or candid<strong>at</strong>e’s<br />
represent<strong>at</strong>ive.<br />
VA. CODE ANN. § 24.2-604(C)<br />
No candid<strong>at</strong>e whose name is on <strong>the</strong> ballot<br />
shall serve as an authorized represent<strong>at</strong>ive.<br />
VA. CODE ANN. § 24.2-604(C)<br />
VIrgInIa Virginia only permits “authorized<br />
represent<strong>at</strong>ives” to observe <strong>the</strong><br />
conduct of elections. Authorized<br />
represent<strong>at</strong>ives must be qualified<br />
Virginia voters.<br />
VA. CODE ANN. § 24.2-604(C)<br />
50 • aPPendIx 3 | St<strong>at</strong>e Laws Governing Poll W<strong>at</strong>chers and Poll Observers