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ACTIVE REGISTERED VOTERS as of 03/10/2015
Republicans:
221,563
221,563
Democrats:
226,067
226,067
Others:
182,954
182,954
Total:
630,584
630,584
Poll Watchers
Reminder: Precinct poll watcher designations for the Municipal Elections, March 10, 2015 must be submitted to the City/Town by:
PRIOR TO NOON on February 24, 2015
Election Day Poll Watcher Designations
Designation of Poll Watchers - Section 101.131, Florida Statutes
- The chair of the county executive committee of a political party, the chair of a political committee and each candidate desiring poll watchers shall submit written authorization giving early voting and precinct assignment of poll watchers on a Poll Watcher Designation Form DS DE 125.
- The deadline for designating early voting poll watchers is at least 14 days prior to the start of early voting; the deadline for designating election day poll watchers is PRIOR TO NOON THE SECOND TUESDAY preceding the election.
- A poll watcher must be a Pinellas County registered voter.
- No candidate, sheriff, deputy sheriff, police officer, or other law enforcement officer may be designated as a poll watcher. In addition, candidates CANNOT serve as poll workers if they are opposed in an election, F.S. 102.012(2).
- Forms for the designation of poll watchers may be submitted to any Supervisor of Elections office or faxed to (727) 464-6239.
- If the deadline falls on a Saturday, Sunday or holiday when the elections offices are closed, forms must still be received before noon and can be faxed or emailed to election@votepinellas.com.
- FORMS CANNOT BE ACCEPTED AFTER THE DEADLINE.
Poll Watcher Information and Guidelines (Early Voting and Polling Places) - Section 101.131, Florida Statutes
- Poll watchers shall produce identification to the precinct clerk upon entering the polling place (this information will be verified against a list of designated poll watchers compiled prior to election day).
- The Supervisor of Elections shall provide to each designated poll watcher a poll watcher identification badge that identifies the poll watcher by name.
- Poll watchers must wear the ID badge while in the polling room or early voting area.
- Each political party, candidate, and political committee is permitted to have ONE poll watcher at a time in each precinct.
- Poll watchers shall not obstruct the orderly conduct of the election.
- Poll watchers may not talk to voters while in the polling place or within 100 ft. of the polling place.
- Poll watchers may not interfere in conversations between poll workers and voters.
- Poll watchers shall direct any questions/concerns to the precinct clerk.
- Poll watchers shall direct any voter challenges to the precinct clerk.
- Poll watchers are permitted within the polling room to observe the conduct of voters and poll workers; however, the poll worker staff may designate a location for the poll watchers that will not interfere with voter processing. This designation may be based on site constraints and other space limitations.
- Poll workers are NOT required to call out a voter’s name.
- Poll watchers may not stand so close that the voter feels their ballot secrecy is compromised.
- Poll watchers are required to furnish their own materials and necessities.
- Candidates cannot be poll watchers, nor can they enter any polling location except to vote.
- Poll watchers may not touch any voting equipment or materials, e.g., ballot scanner, electronic poll books.
- Cell phones, cameras, tape recorders, and all other audio/visual recording devices are prohibited in the polling room. One must exit the polling location to make and receive phone calls.
- Poll watchers may not wear political advertisements or campaign paraphernalia in the polling place. This includes but is not limited to the following: clothing, campaign buttons, hats, wristbands, badges, and other similar items. (Voters are entitled to wear political advertisements or campaign paraphernalia)
- Poll watchers may contact the Poll Worker Department in the Supervisor of Elections office at (727) 464-6110 if they have any questions regarding Florida Election laws and/or procedures.