Fulton County Republican Party

WHAT IS A POLL WATCHER?

Poll Watchers observe the voting process to help ensure that the proper procedures are followed at polling locations. Poll Watchers are volunteer positions with the Fulton County Republican Party; however, there is no requirement to reside in Fulton County.

Each political party is entitled to have two volunteers present at each polling location to have meaningful observation of the voting process, ballot marking devices and scanners. Voter privacy is maintained at all times. The polling precinct manager will provide you with a seat at a respectful distance from the check-in desk, as well as the ballot marking devices. During opportunities where you will not hinder the privacy of any voters, you may walk around the polling location and observe that the proper voting policies and procedures are being implemented. You will report any inconsistencies or violations to the poll manager or a team member designated by the FCRP.

Volunteer shifts are typically five to seven hours and are offered as either a morning shift or an afternoon/evening shift. You may come and go as you please. If you choose a morning shift, you will be entering the facility prior to poll open times in order to observe the set-up of the polling location. If you choose an evening shift, you will be staying after the polls close in order to observe the closing procedures of the polling location. Observing the opening and closing periods are a very important part of the Poll Watcher duties.

Whether you volunteer for five hours or five days, you are a key component to restoring election confidence in Fulton County.

WHAT IS REQUIRED?

If you would like to volunteer as a poll watcher, you will be required to commit to an approximately 60-minute training session. These are offered via Zoom at a variety of dates/times leading up to the election. Training certification is mandatory and provided by the Fulton County Republican Party. You only need to attend one session for each election cycle. Your trainer will instruct you in the various applicable laws, as well as how to observe important details pertaining to voter interactions and machine integrity. You will be the eyes and ears of the party while you are in that room, so we will make sure you are well informed. Please note that candidates, currently on the ballot, are ineligible to participate as poll watchers.

Following your training, you will be "credentialed" as an official poll watcher for the date and location that you choose on the sign-up form. This paperwork and badge will need to be picked up prior to your first date of service. Generally, these items will need to be picked up from a designated location within 20 minutes of you. However, occasionally, you may need to pick them up from our party headquarters in Roswell, GA.

Please follow the link below to access the sign-up form for Election Day Poll Watching, where you will choose an open slot for the date/time of your volunteer shift. Then proceed to sign-up for one of the training opportunities as well. Also, we are always in need of volunteers to commit to locations in downtown Atlanta and south of Atlanta. These locations are typically not adequately covered.

Please note that Sign-Ups for Early Voting and Election Day are now closed.

Training Sign-Up

Volunteering as a Poll Watcher is uniquely different from being employed as a Poll Worker. If you're ready to do more, consider becoming a Poll Worker.

Please send further questions or concerns to pollwatcher@fultongagop.com.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Do I need to complete the training again if I have been a poll watcher in the past?

Maybe. Fulton County requires that all poll watchers receive training through their political party for every election cycle. If your poll watching experience was more than a few months ago, you will likely need to complete the training again.

Do I need to bring anything with me to the polling location?

Yes, you must bring your Credentials that are provided to you after you complete your training. This is a legal form and must be shown to the poll manager upon arrival. We also recommend that you bring a clipboard, scratch paper, and a pen for making notes. In addition, you may wish to bring water, snack, or a meal, as your shift dictates.

Will I be required to stand for long periods of time?

No, you are not required to stand for any length of time. Your poll manager should provide you with a seat facing the area of observation. On rare occasion, a poll watcher has been denied a chair. If a physical limitation requires you to sit, you may wish to bring a folding camp chair with you, just in case. Please note that you are not obligated to remain in a designated place. You may come and go as needed, however, your observation is critical, so we ask that you remain at the precinct location unless absolutely necessary.

Do I need to live in Fulton County in order to volunteer as a poll watcher?

No, there is no residency requirement in order to volunteer as a poll watcher. We welcome and encourage other conservatives throughout Georgia and the USA to help us to protect the integrity of elections in our county. Please make sure that your training representative is aware that you live out of state so that they can coordinate with you to provide you with your credentials.

What are the dates of the elections where I can be a poll watcher?

The Fulton County Republican Party strives to have poll watchers present for every election, including municipal. You may view the election calendar, with advanced voting dates, for the entire year here.

How else can I help protect the integrity of our elections?

Consider becoming a Poll Worker, which is a paid position. Poll Workers are hired by Fulton County to work at polling precinct locations, as well as at central tabulation centers and election offices. By being a poll worker, you will be playing a pivotal role in conducting the elections. We need Republicans to fill some of these positions! In the past, the county has out-sourced them to temporary employment agencies. You will need to apply for a position through the Fulton County website.

Learn More

I have an additional question that is not answered here. Who do I contact?

Please email pollwatcher@fultongagop.com