Who may appoint poll watchers?
- Each political party – political party means an organization which nominates candidates for public office
- Each candidate in a general or primary election
- Any citizens’ organization interested in a question on the ballot
- Any citizens’ organization interested in the integrity of the election process
How are poll watchers appointed?
- A list of appointees must be submitted to the Davidson County Election Commission in writing and be signed by the person or organization authorized to make the appointment
- The same person may be appointed to serve in more than one polling location
- A poll watcher must be age seventeen (17) or older by Election Day
- A poll watcher must be a resident of Tennessee, but does not have to live in Davidson County
Who may not be appointed as a poll watcher?
- Anyone who is a candidate for an office on the ballot
- The spouse of a candidate
When must appointments be submitted to the Davidson County Election Commission?
All poll watcher appointments must be submitted no later than NOON two (2) business days before serving as a poll watcher.
How must appointments be submitted to the Davidson County Election Commission?
Submit appointments by the deadline in one of the following ways:
- Scan signed list and email to: [email protected]
- Hand-deliver signed list to the Davidson County Election Commission Main Office:
Metro Southeast Facility
1417 Murfreesboro Pk
Davidson County Election Commission
Nashville,
TN
37217
What must a poll watcher do upon arriving at the polling place?
- Show their poll watcher badge to the Poll Officer
- Sign the Visitor Log and present photo ID
- Wear the poll watcher badge provided by the Davidson County Election Commission at all times while in the polling place
What activities are permitted?
- Watch and inspect performance in and around the polling place
- Inspect the Technician's Certification
- Speak to the Poll Officer
- Challenge voters, through the Poll Officer
- Present a protest of any aspect of the conduct of the election to the Poll Officer or Davidson County Election Commission
- Be present during all proceedings at the polling place
What activities are prohibited?
- Interfere with any voter in preparing or casting their ballot
- Prevent election officials from performing their duties
- Observe the giving of assistance to a voter
- Wear campaign material of any kind during the performance of their duties as a poll watcher
- Speak to voters; this includes greeting the voter or standing in the doorway where the voter enters
- Exit the room of the Absentee Counting Board after the counting of ballots begins
- Possess or use electronic devices when observing the duties of the Absentee Counting Board
May poll watchers engage in campaign activities?
- No campaign activity is permitted inside the 100-foot boundary/inside the polling place
- Campaign activities are allowed outside the 100-foot boundary/campaign-free zone