Introduction

As a Poll Worker, you are expected to:

1. Arrive at 5 AM2. Respect the voter’s rights and all people regardless of party, culture, race,

ethnicity, language, gender, age, disability, religion, or family background 3. Know and understand all Board of Elections policies and procedures

The following attire is prohibited:

Special Ballot ApplicationIf you are not working at your home site you may want to get a Special Ballot to vote on Election Day

1. Complete the Special Ballot Application in class and return it to the trainer2. Your Ballot will be available two weeks prior to the Election3. Do not mail your Ballot; bring it to the Poll Site where you are working and place

in the Special Ballot Return BagCell phone, tablets, laptop usage, including texting, is not allowed at the Poll Site. The use of headphones of any kind is also prohibited.

Poll Worker Expectations and Responsibilities

As a Poll Worker you represent the BOE–You must dress and conduct yourself in a professional manner.

Your most fundamental obligation as a Poll Worker is to administer the Election impartially. Under New York Election Law and the Federal Voting Rights Act, it is illegal to conduct the Election in any way that benefits or favors one or more candidates over others, or to discriminate against candidates or voters on the basis of race, color, language or country of origin. Violation of New York State Election Law or the Voting Rights Act may result in criminal prosecution, personal civil liability, and voiding of results of the Election.

Under the Federal Voting Rights Act, it is illegal to:1.Discriminate against voters or candidates on the basis of race, gender or language2.Administer the Election on different terms for different racial groups, even without the intention to discriminate

The Commissioners’ Program for Poll Worker Non-ComplianceIf you fail to follow these procedures, you will be required to attend a remedial training class. Anyone who fails to attend an assigned remedial

class will not be allowed to work as a Poll Worker until that requirement is satisfied. There will be no pay for attending a remedial class.If it is determined that your behavior toward voters or other Poll Workers is unacceptable or you fail to follow the directions of the

Coordinator or Board of Elections personnel, your name will be submitted to the Commissioners for consideration of dismissal.Failure to follow these procedures or return any of the following closing items may also result in forfeiture of any bonus, incentive, stipend

and/or dismissal:

1. Zero Report Tape, Results Report Tape and Portable Memory Device in the Small Yellow Scanner Pouch2. Completed Return of Canvass in the Return Bag

Legal Duty to Impartially Administer the Election

SAFETY- BOTH YOURS AND THE VOTERSMUST ALWAYS BE THE FIRST PRIORITY

In case of an Emergency that interrupts voting at the Poll Site, the Coordinator/ Chairperson must:1.Call to notify your Board of Elections Borough Office to advise them of the emergency situation at your site as soon as it is safe to do so2.After conferring with BOE, building personnel and the Police/ Peace Officer, if necessary, assess the situation and determine whether it is possible to move voting system(s), signage, supplies, etc. to another room on the premises or to a nearby site to permit voting to continue3.If you can safely relocate voting systems and materials to another suitable room, do so. If you cannot, consider whether you can move paper ballots, Voter Registration List, signage, supplies, etc. to the safe room/site so that voting can continue on emergency ballots4.IF THE POLL SITE MUST BE EVACUATED, the Coordinator/Chairperson working in conjunction with the Police Officer and/or other emergency personnel must MAKE CERTAIN THAT EVERYONE GETS OUT SAFELY5.If the site must be evacuated, but there is NO IMMINENT DANGER to personal safety, the Coordinator/Chairperson should attempt to protect the integrity of the voting process and voting materials to the extent possible, by doing the following:

Call the Borough Office. DO NOT close polls on the Scanners unless authorized to do so by the Commissioners or Chief and Deputy Chief Clerk of the Borough Office

Record the Public Counter numbers on each Scanner Unplug the Scanners, unlock the wheels on the Scanners and roll them out to a safe place Gather and secure in the Return Bag the following:

Voter Registration Lists Voter Affidavits Keys in all Key Envelopes (BMD, ED Supply Cart and Scanner) Timesheets Give the Return Bag to the Police Officer

6. If the site can safely be reopened, notify the Board of Elections and they will: Dispatch technicians to determine if there is any damage to the voting system(s) or if any tampering has occurred Replenish supplies, if needed Advise Poll Workers of any special instructions that might be necessary due to the interruption

These procedures are subject to modification by the Borough Commissioners or the Chief and Deputy Chief Clerks as circumstances warrant.

Emergency Evacuation Procedures

Most importantly, protect yourself. Do NOT close the polls.

Summary Review

• Name 3 or 4 prohibited attire.• At what time are you expected to arrive at

your assigned Poll Site?• True or false: Coordinators may reassign

workers throughout the day.• List 5 or 6 of the prohibited practices.• True or false: A Poll Worker may destroy,

remove or alter any Ballot.