Vancouver, Wash. ‒ Clark County Elections will host its annual political party observer training 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, June 7, 2017, in the conference room at the Elections Office, 1408 Franklin St.

This training is for people interested in participating as a political party observer during an election cycle. The training is a prerequisite to serving as an observer.

Election observer training provides an overview of how ballots are processed, including their inspection and the operation of ballot-counting equipment.

Each election, political parties assign trained, certified observers to witness election processes, including signature verification. Observers serve as witnesses to ensure:

• voted ballots are counted as the voter intended.
• no properly voted ballot is removed from the election process without authorization of the County Canvassing Board
• no other ballot is added to or substituted for the legitimately voted ballots, except to duplicate damaged ballots.

All political party observers also serve as witnesses to the action of the other observers.

While it is the duty of political parties to appoint their observers, Elections also invites the general public to attend even though participants might not be assigned as an official observer.

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CONTACT
Cathie Garber
Elections director
e
360.397.2345
cathie.garber@clark.wa.gov