How To Observe Orange County's Election Process

ORANGE COUNTY, CA —Inviting members of the public to observe the election process is nothing new, says Orange County Registrar of Voters Neal Kelley. Every election, observers can apply to watch Vote Center operations, including opening and closing procedures, and activities at the central counting site.

Still, there are rules to follow.

According to the office, rights and responsibilities of observers are expected to be followed upon penalty of prosecution.

Visitors may observe, take notes, watch, ask questions about the procedures in place, talk to supervisors, view ballot processing, and view the canvass of vote activities after the election.

Observers Are NOT Allowed To:

• Interfere in any way with the election process
• Assist in Vote Center operations
• Touch election-related material, equipment, or election staff
• Sit at or stand behind the check-in tables
• Communicate with Vote Center personnel who are presently engaged in a process
• Converse with or solicit voters (within 100 feet of the Vote Center entrance) regarding the casting of a vote or their qualifications to vote
• Talk in a loud voice, cause confusion, or congregate inside a Vote Center
• Display any election material or wear campaign badges, buttons, or apparel
• Wear the uniform of a peace officer, private guard, or security personnel
• Take pictures, video footage, or use phones/cameras in the Vote Centers
• "Ballot selfies" are permitted for voters.

Amid coronavirus, there are steps for safety when it comes to watching the democratic process in action. To do so, you must check in, wear an ID badge, follow the rules, and ensure they do not interfere with the elections process, the Registrar of Voters says.

Applications to observe remotely will be available as early as Thursday.
Those interested must apply online at www.ocvote.com/observe and agree to the following guidelines:

• Election observers may not record or transmit voter data or ballot information.
• 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)
• Interference with the election and canvass, or with a voter casting a ballot, is punishable by imprisonment in state prison for up to three years. (EC § 18502)

Once approved, individuals will be able to select what processes to view; however, certain processes will only be available for viewing at specific times when it is active.

Those approved can observe either online starting October 7, via livestream of the central site, or in person, providing the guidelines set forth by the Registrar of Voters Office are followed, according to Kelley.

"My team and I are committed to ensuring that voting and elections are conducted in an open and transparent manner with integrity that increases the public's trust and confidence in elections in Orange County, even under COVID-19" Kelley says, "These materials and trainings are offered to the public in advance so they are aware of what is permitted by law and how they can prepare ahead of time if they plan to observe election and voting procedures."

Would you want to apply to observe the election process? Let us know in comments, or by emailing your Patch editor.