Election Day Physical Security and Accommodation Preparation 2022 County Election Administration Training Conference

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This content provides crucial information on physical security and accommodation preparation for Election Day at the 2022 County Election Administration Training Conference. Topics covered include polling place situations, training, and preparation, addressing issues like who is allowed near polling places, handling security situations, training election judges, recording incidents, and ensuring a smooth voting process. These guidelines are essential for ensuring the safety and integrity of the electoral process.

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Election Day: Physical Security and Accommodation Preparation 2022 County Election Administration Training Conference

Agenda Polling Place Situations Physical Security Training Preparation Local Enforcement and Reporting COVID-19 and other policies Staff Mental Health Language Assistance Disability Access Statutory Requirements Voter Assistance Curbside Voting

Polling Place Situations Physical Security Who is allowed in and near a polling place? MS 204C.06 "No one except an election official or an individual who is waiting to register or to vote or an individual who is conducting exit polling shall stand within 100 feet of the building in which a polling place is located." MS 204C.06 Situations near but not in the polling place Questionable crowds or intimidation near a polling place, which may be at a public building Campaigning near the polling place

Polling Place Situations Physical Security Cont. Situations at the polling place The head election judge must grant access to law enforcement and the length of time they spend there is at their discretion. Security issues at the polling place are at the discretion of the head election judge and do not necessarily involve contacting law enforcement. Examples of situations may include: People refusing to leave a polling location People harassing election judges Physical threats Unplugging or damaging election equipment Tampering with election documents

Polling Place Situations Training Preparation Training and communication prior to election day Have examples ready for the head election judges for anything that may come up. We want them to know how to handle harassment in the polling place and people refusing to leave. Emphasize importance of Incident Logs What is considered campaign paraphernalia? Court Cases related to Voter Assistance Currently no limit on how many people one person can assist Candidates may assist voters with marking their ballot

Polling Place Situations Training Preparation cont. Incident Logs Any unusual events or problems must be recorded in the Incident Log for clear and precise legal documentation These records should include as much detail as possible in case further investigation becomes necessary Incident Log will be returned to the local election official along with the other precinct supplies Clerks and counties will follow up with incidents and referring documented situations for investigation

Polling Place Situations Training Preparation cont. Election Judge Situations Plan for staff shortages on election day, including backup election judges and emergency training materials to adapt to a specific situation Election judges can't question who is present to assist a voter Head election judge must notify the clerk of election judge conduct issues Contact list must be provided at election judge training and is located in the Election Judge Training Guide Reporting chain of command Election Judges > Head Election Judge Head Election Judge> Municipal Clerk County Election Staff Law Enforcement/ Emergency Services Equipment Vendors County Election Staff > OSS Election Staff

Polling Place Situations Local Enforcement & Reporting Counties provide election judges contact lists for reporting physical security threats Be aware of local law enforcement offices Give them notice ahead of time so they are prepared For less emergent situations, a report can be made with the County Attorney s office Ex. Individuals who are not complying with election judges Forms are located in Election Judge Guide

Polling Place Situation COVID-19 & Other Policies Requirement of masks and social distancing are under the purview of guidelines at the local level If your area requires masks and someone refuses, it can not prevent them from voting Buildings that don't allow guns on the premises Be prepared for solutions that do not prevent someone from voting if they insist on carrying a gun Curbside Voting may be an option in these situations PPE from 2020 can be distributed

Staff Mental Health It is important that staff are aware of ways to handle stress and stay organized throughout election week Making sure staff and election judges are taking breaks to eat during long shifts Hope for the best, plan for the worst Have detailed procedures for every election day scenario easy to find, including contact lists

Language Assistance Voters can bring someone to the polling location to assist them with filling out a ballot MS 204C.15 Election judges can assist voters filling out their ballot Interpreter phone lines are available for election judges to assist voters Jurisdictions may have alternative assistance options

Disability Access Requirements Statutes and Requirements Assistance to Voters MS 204C.15 Accessibility MS 206.64 Accessibility situation examples from past elections Bathrooms If there is a bathroom at the polling location it is required to be ADA accessible, but it is not required to have a location with a bathroom Disability parking must be available and is separate from designated curbside voting area Election judges must be aware of requirements There is an ADA Checklist for Polling Places

Disability Access Voter Assistance Assisted Voter Equipment Election judges are trained to work with assisted voter equipment Equipment should be ready to use when requested Remind municipal clerks of accessibility practices Election judges can assist voters marking their ballot Must be two judges from opposite parties Voters can bring someone to assist them with ballot marking Currently no limit to how many people a person may assist Candidates are currently able to assist voters with marking their ballot Who may not assist: Voter's employer, an agent of the voter's employer, or an officer or agent of the voter's union

Curbside Voting Curbside voting is available for anyone who cannot easily leave their vehicle to enter the polling place. MS 204C.05 Allows a voter to register to vote and vote without leaving their vehicle Voters do not need to provide a reason to qualify Setup cannot interfere with the disability parking place Curbside voting procedures vary by jurisdiction ex: Numbering system Designated parking spots Drive up area