Any candidate or any recognized political party is entitled to have a Watcher present at any place where an official count is being conducted. The Watcher must be commissioned in writing by the candidate or by the county chairman of the political party. The commission must be filed with the Secretary of the County Election Board no later than 5 p.m. on Wednesday preceding the election. When a Watcher is commissioned for a precinct, the Secretary shall provide the Inspector with a Procedure for Watchers sheet at the time the Inspector receives his supplies for the election.
1. The Watcher must
arrive at the polling place prior to the opening of the polls.
2. The Inspector shall place the Watcher under Oath.
3. The Inspector shall recite the following oath:
"Do you solemnly swear or affirm that you will abide by all
laws and rules prescribed for Watchers and that you will limit
yourself to observing the vote recording device before the polls
are opened and after the polls are closed?"
4. The Watcher shall be confined to observing the vote recording
device before the polls are opened and after the polls are closed
and need not be present at the polling place at other times.
5. Watchers shall not divulge any information, or give any
indication, as to the result of the vote recording device count
prior to the time that the Inspector posts a copy of the Totals
Printout on the door of the polling place.
6. Watchers may be commissioned to accompany repair personnel on
election day. Such Watchers shall be limited to observing the
repair or maintenance work being performed and making a written
record of such work.