D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 7, r. 7-1521

Current through Register Vol. 71, No. 44, November 1, 2024

Rule 7-1521 - AUTHORIZED WATCHERS

1521.1

When paper ballots are counted by hand, an eligible candidate shall be notified of his or her right to be present to observe the counting of ballots in person as an authorized watcher, or to designate another to act as an authorized watcher to attend the ballot counting on his or her behalf.

(a) Eligible candidates shall be notified of the time, date, and location of the counting of ballots no fewer than five (5) days before the date of ballot counting.

(b) An eligible candidate must notify the election official, in writing, of their intent to be, or designate, an authorized watcher no later than twenty- four (24) hours prior to the scheduled date of the ballot counting.

1521.2

An authorized watcher shall be required to show a valid form of photo identification to enter the ballot counting location.

1521.3

Each authorized watcher shall be issued a badge with space for the watcher's name and, if a designee of an eligible candidate, the name of the eligible candidate represented by the authorized watcher.

1521.4

Badges shall be worn in plain view by the authorized watcher at all times, when he or she is inside the ballot counting location while ballot counting is being conducted.

1521.5

An authorized watcher shall comply with any measures put in place by the election official in charge to maintain order in the ballot counting place and shall conform to the provisions of Section 1521 of these Rules.

1521.6

No authorized watcher shall, at any time during the ballot counting process, do any of the following:

(a) touch any official record or ballot;

(b) obstruct or interfere with the progress of the counting; or

(c) talk to any ballot counter while the count is under way, except to request that a ballot be referred to the election official in charge for a determination as to its validity.

1521.7

If an authorized watcher has any questions, or claims any discrepancy or error in the counting of the vote, the authorized watcher shall direct the question or complaint to the election official in charge.

1521.8

Any authorized watcher who, in the judgment of the election official in charge, has failed to comply with any of the requirements contained in Section 1521 of these Rules, failed to obey any reasonable order of the election official in charge, or acted in a disorderly manner, shall be warned to cease and desist such conduct. If the authorized watcher fails to cease and desist such conduct, the election official in charge may order such authorized watcher to leave the ballot counting location. In such event, the authorized watcher's credentials shall be deemed cancelled, and he or she shall leave the ballot counting location immediately. The election official in charge may request a member of the Metropolitan Police Department to evict the authorized watcher or otherwise enforce his or her lawful orders.

D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 7, r. 7-1521

Final Rulemaking published at 65 DCR 2951 (3/23/2018)