Monitoring the Polls During the November 2022 Midterm Election

Two LWV-PA members, Maureen Johnston and Katherine Gavzy, volunteered with Common Cause and the Election Protection coalition. The purpose was to monitor and report on how the voting process in several Southern California counties was conducted in compliance with the California Voter’s Choice Act. Were the polling places set up appropriately to facilitate access? Were election materials and ballot forms available in multiple languages? Were poll workers adequately trained and informed to help voters and not turn anyone away for invalid reasons? Was same-day registration supported and were voters advised of their rights?

Katherine observed the process at three vote centers in Riverside County and came away encouraged and motivated. There were a few minor glitches—the new electronic buzzers at curbside voting stations needed regulation, adjustment, and better placement, for example. Facsimile ballots in languages other than English and Spanish could be printed out by poll workers, but only if requested by voters. But three primary observations were common at all centers observed:

• There was absolutely no evidence of the feared voter intimidation—no armed bullies in camouflage vests!
• There were no long lines—poll workers reported that most people had taken advantage of mail-in ballots and the early voting period, and about half those who came to the polling center were just dropping off their completed mail-in ballots. In fact the polling centers appeared over-staffed.
• Most notable: The poll workers, including the lead worker, were overwhelmingly young, enthusiastic, and well-trained. This was a big improvement over previous years, when poll workers (I was one during several elections in the past) were criticized for being elderly and confused.

I spoke with a few voters as they left the centers. All reported that the process worked smoothly and they had no problems.

Maureen, along with a friend, observed three vote centers in the LWV-PA area. No poll worker or voter issues were observed or reported. The lines were short as workers guided people dropping off ballots and/or voting. The poll leads and workers were welcoming and professional. Several workers were bilingual, and two sites had multilingual workers. All sites displayed voting information and ballots both in English and in languages other than English. Two of the three polling places were easily accessible, with good lighting, signage, and space. Parking was mostly curbside at two sites. Curbside voting was problematic at one site, as it was on a narrow street and in the same location as a child pick-up spot.

When asked for suggestions to improve the voter experience at the polls, one poll lead recommended training to better assist disabled voters. Another said quick technology support would be helpful, as the poll workers were typically unskilled in addressing even minor technological glitches.

—Katherine Gavzy