R 168.219 Poll watcher.

Rule 19. (1) Poll watchers have the right to do the following: (a) Be present at an Election Day polling place, early voting site, or absent voter ballot processing facility, if there is sufficient space. (b) Observe the electoral process from a public viewing area designated by the clerk, which must be placed in a location that does not interfere in any way with the work of election inspectors present in the location, or with participation in the voting process if voters are present. If the public viewing area for a particular election location is full and cannot accommodate more poll watchers, and if the public viewing area cannot be enlarged without disrupting election processes, the clerk or challenger liaison must deny entry to additional poll watchers. (c) Request to view the pollbook without handling it, but the challenger liaison may decline that request. A poll watcher shall never handle the pollbook or other election equipment or materials. (2) Poll watchers are subject to all of the same restrictions as credentialed challengers, including the prohibitions against speaking with voters and against speaking with election inspectors other than the challenger liaison without the challenger liaison’s permission. (3) In addition to the restrictions in subrule (2) of this rule, poll watchers shall not do the following: (a) Issue challenges. (b) Sit or stand behind the processing table at an Election Day polling place or early voting site. (c) Be present in any part of the polling place, early voting site, clerk’s office, or absent voter ballot processing facility, except the designated public viewing area. (4) If an election inspector has a reasonable belief that a poll watcher is in violation of subrule (2) or (3) of this rule, the election inspector shall warn the individual of the poll watcher’s nonallowed behavior. (5) If an election inspector reasonably believes that a poll watcher who was warned under subrule (4) of this rule is continuing to violate this rule, the election inspector must eject that poll watcher from the Election Day polling place, early voting site, or absent voter ballot processing facility. If the poll watcher refuses to leave after being informed of the ejection by an election inspector, the election inspector may request law enforcement remove the poll watcher from the polling place, early voting site, or absent voter ballot processing facility. (6) If a poll watcher photographs, or audio or video records, within an Election Day polling place, early voting site, or absent voter ballot processing facility, the election inspector shall expel the individual from the location.