El Dorado County Election Observer Corps 2026

Expectations

What you're signing up for. . .

The League of Women Voters is focusing our request for assistance in our observation efforts for the 2026 midterm elections on our 13 El Dorado County Vote Centers.  We are asking members of the Observation Corps to:

1. Sign up for a specific time (decided by you) to observe at a specific vote center

2. Show up at the designated time and check in with Vote Center staff. 

   • You must wear an identification badge/sticker that includes your name, your purpose (Observer) and your affiliation (LWV). Vote center staff may have stickers if you forget to bring your own.

   • Inform Vote Center staff of your purpose, and check to see if there is a particular spot they suggest you sit or stand while you observe.

3. Conduct your observation, adhering to the guidelines set forth below.

4. Take notes and fill out the debrief form to submit to LWV upon completion of your observation.

 Guidelines and Instructions

Please read the following guidelines and Instructions carefully. Observers who do not adhere to these guidelines may be asked by staff to leave the Vote Center for the remainder of the day.

Observers are responsible for:

¨     Checking in at each site, whether Vote Center or central counting site.

•       The Elections Department may designate a person to whom an election observer can ask questions and present a challenge(s) during the observation process. The designation may either be in writing or verbal, as determined by the Elections Department.

¨ Wearing an identification badge.

¨ Maintaining a professional manner while observing the election processes.

¨ Ensuring they do not interfere with the elections process.

¨ Ensuring they do not disrupt the working environment of the Elections staff.

¨ Keeping all conversations to a minimum, at the lowest possible tone in order to not distract staff from their work.

¨ Keeping an appropriate distance (arm’s length at minimum) from staff.

Observers may not:

¨ Interfere in any way with the conduct of the election.

¨ Enter restricted areas unless accompanied by an election official, with appropriate security clearance.

¨ Touch any voting materials or equipment or sit at the official worktables.

¨ Touch any paper ballot.

¨ Converse with voters (within 100 feet of the entrance to a polling place) regarding the casting of a vote, or speak to a voter regarding his or her qualifications to vote.

¨ Display any election material or wear campaign badges, buttons or apparel.

¨ Wear the uniform of a peace officer, a private guard, or security personnel.

¨ Talk to central counting site workers while they are processing ballots.

¨ Use the telephones, computers or other equipment at Vote Centers or the central counting site. Phones should be turned off or ring tones set to vibrate or silence.

¨        Use radios, cameras, tape recorders or recording devices of any type.

¨ Touch election personnel.

¨ Eat or drink in the Vote Centers or the central counting site.

¨ Assist in operations at any Vote Center.

In the event that you have a concern about something you observe:

1. • Speak to the election worker in charge first to address your concern.

     • Do not escalate the situation - if they are not responsive, take notes, and call LWV who will alert the Elections Office.

     • Do not interfere with the voting process.