The importance of poll watchers in Utah elections
Jun 26, 2024, 6:00 PM
Poll worker Lois Francis assists Abigail Haven, of Provo, during primary election voting held at the Utah County Health and Justice Building in Provo on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. (Isaac Hale, Deseret News)
(Isaac Hale, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY– The number of candidates sending poll watchers out on election day this year went down. Officials are encouraging people to sign up to participate as poll watchers.
In 2022, there was a lot of interest in poll-watching. Davis County Clerk Brian McKenzie said this interest subsided in 2023 and this year they had no one sign up to poll watch.
McKenzie continued, “We haven’t had any poll watchers for the primary election. Last week I sent an email out to every candidate on the ballot making sure that they are aware that they could have poll watchers here, giving them our schedule of when we will be processing ballots and letting them know how they can be involved. ”
Who can become a poll watcher?
“Candidates can point someone to represent them as their official poll watcher, ” McKenzie shared. However, any registered voter can become a poll worker.
What are the benefits of becoming a poll watcher?
McKenzie mentioned the importance of the public watching and understanding the election process to promote transparency and avoid accusations of voter fraud or election interference.
If interested in becoming a poll watcher in Davis County, visit the Davis County Clerk’s website for more information.
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