what to do about poll watchers oregon attorney general

by Flavie Huel 4 min read

How do I contact the Oregon attorney general?

Main DOJ Referral Line: 503-378-4400Office of the Attorney General. Media Inquiries: 503-378-6002. ... Child Support. General Information: ... Consumer Protection. Toll-Free Consumer Hotline: ... Charitable Activities. General Information: 971-673-1880. ... Crime Victim and Survivor Services. General Information: 503-378-5348. ... For the Media.

What does the Oregon Department of Justice do?

The Oregon DOJ serves as general counsel for all legal proceedings affecting the state. The Oregon DOJ has programs in nine divisions, including child support, district attorney assistance, crime victim compensation, charitable activity oversight and consumer protection services.

Who is the assistant attorney general in Oregon?

Lisa Udland, Deputy Attorney General.

Who wrote the Voting Rights Act of 1965?

Senate. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was introduced in Congress on March 17, 1965, as S. 1564, and it was jointly sponsored by Senate majority leader Mike Mansfield (D-MT) and Senate minority leader Everett Dirksen (R-IL), both of whom had worked with Attorney General Katzenbach to draft the bill's language.

How do I file a complaint with the Oregon attorney general?

Attorney General's Consumer HotlineToll-Free: 1-877-877-9392, 8:30 – 4:30, Monday-Friday.Email: [email protected] out the online Consumer Complaint Form »

How do I file a complaint against a district attorney in Oregon?

Oregon State Bar CenterPhone: (503) 620-0222.Toll-free in Oregon: (800) 452-8260.Facsimile: (503) 684-1366.

How much does a assistant attorney general make in Oregon?

How much does an Assistant Attorney General make in Oregon? As of Jul 14, 2022, the average annual pay for an Assistant Attorney General in Oregon is $75,179 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $36.14 an hour.

Who does the US attorney general report to?

President of the United StatesUnited States Attorney GeneralMember ofCabinet National Security CouncilReports toPresident of the United StatesSeatRobert F. Kennedy Department of Justice Building Washington, D.C.AppointerPresident of the United States with United States Senate advice and consent13 more rows

What does a state attorney general do?

They represent the State in all lawsuits and transactions for and against the State. They work and function in the same way as ordinary attorneys.

What was removed from the Voting Rights Act?

It outlawed the discriminatory voting practices adopted in many southern states after the Civil War, including literacy tests as a prerequisite to voting.

What is the 26th Amendment in simple terms?

The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of age.

What is not allowed under the Voting Rights Act?

After the Civil War, the 15th Amendment, ratified in 1870, prohibited states from denying a male citizen the right to vote based on “race, color or previous condition of servitude.” Nevertheless, in the ensuing decades, various discriminatory practices were used to prevent African Americans, particularly those in the ...

What departments are under the Department of Justice?

The mission of the Office of the Attorney General is to supervise and direct the administration and operation of the Department of Justice, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Bureau of Prisons, Office of Justice Programs, ...

Who is the head of the Justice Department?

Attorney General GarlandMeet the Attorney General As the nation's chief law enforcement officer, Attorney General Garland leads the Justice Department's 115,000 employees, who work across the United States and in more than 50 countries worldwide.

What does a state attorney general do?

They represent the State in all lawsuits and transactions for and against the State. They work and function in the same way as ordinary attorneys.

Who does the US attorney general report to?

President of the United StatesUnited States Attorney GeneralMember ofCabinet National Security CouncilReports toPresident of the United StatesSeatRobert F. Kennedy Department of Justice Building Washington, D.C.AppointerPresident of the United States with United States Senate advice and consent13 more rows

Who can appoint a poll watcher?

A state or local board of elections, a candidate, political party, or any other group of voters supporting a candidate or issue can appoint an accredited poll challenger or watcher. Must be a registered voter. Election judges may allow non-accredited challengers or watchers to enter the polling place to challenge a person’s vote.

Who can be a poll watcher?

Anyone who wishes to observe the election process (and who is not a qualified election challenger) may serve as a poll watcher. A challenger must be a registered voter in the state, not a candidate or election inspector and must carry an identification card. A political party, organization or organized entity of interested citizens may designate no more than two challengers per precinct at any one time.

How many watchers can a candidate have?

Each qualified political party shall be entitled to appoint no more than one watcher who may be present at any time at a voter service center. Names must be submitted twenty days prior to the election. Prohibits parents, spouses, siblings, children or the candidates themselves. Also prohibits candidates from the primary who failed to receive a nomination from being a poll watcher in the general election.

How many poll watchers are allowed at a polling site?

Requires a “poll watcher authorization form” to be filed with the county clerk; “Only one authorized poll watcher per candidate, group, or party at any one given time may be officially recognized as a poll watcher at each location within a polling site where voters identify themselves to election officials” Allows candidates to be poll watchers with some form of identification. Prohibits a member of the State Board of Election Commissioners or a county board of election commissioners from serving as a poll watcher.

How old do you have to be to be a poll watcher in Kansas?

Kansas requires poll watchers to be registered voters unless the poll watcher is a member of the candidate’s family, or if the poll watcher is 14-17 years old and meets all of the other requirements for being a registered voter except for age.

What is the purpose of poll watchers?

In general, a poll watcher’s primary purpose is to ensure that their party has a fair chance of winning an election.

Which states require poll watchers to wear badges?

States including Georgia, North Dakota and South Carolina require in statute that poll watchers must wear a badge indicating their name and organization. Other states may do so through administrative rules.

National

National Association of Secretaries of State: State Laws on Authorized Poll Watchers & Voter Challenges

State

Maryland: Instructions and Information for Challengers, Watchers, and Other Election Observers

Local

Arlington County, VA: Guidelines for Candidates and Political Parties Regarding Poll Watchers, Outside Poll Workers, and Placement of Political Signs

Who may reduce the number of poll watchers?

The election officer may reduce the number of watchers and alter or otherwise regulate the placement and conduct of watchers as the election officer determines is appropriate; Any individual may become a poll watcher in an election at any time by registering with the administering election officer.

What does the Constitution say about poll watchers?

States call the shots on poll watchers. The US Constitution gives states the power to regulate the “time, place and manner” of elections. Poll watchers have been part of U.S. elections dating back to the 18th century; their activities, who is selected as an observer and by whom are controlled by state laws.

What does a poll worker do?

Unlike poll watchers, poll workers can help you if you need assistance, are trained to answer questions, and have the legal authority under state laws to confirm a person’s entitlement to vote and to resolve other challenges made by poll watchers or other voters. Find out how to contact your county clerk’s office on our 2020 Election Guide.

How many states allow nonpartisan poll watchers?

Nonpartisan or citizen poll watchers are permitted by at least 35 states and the District of Columbia, according to research by the National Conference of State Legislatures. Partisan observers are appointed by political parties or candidates.

Why did Trump send law enforcement to the polls?

In August, Mr. Trump said that he planned to send law enforcement and U.S. attorneys to the polls in November to prevent voter fraud.

Why don't states allow poll workers?

Most states don’t allow law enforcement or state workers to serve as poll workers to avoid conflicts of interest or intimidation.

How many states allow challenge to be issued before someone votes?

Thirty-nine states allow citizens to challenge the eligibility of their fellow voters within polling places, and 28 allow the challenge to be issued before someone votes, according to a 2012 report by the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law.

How to be a poll watcher?

To be a poll watcher, a person must be a qualified registered elector of the county in which the election district for which the watcher is to be appointed is located . Poll watchers must be identified and must receive official county credentials in advance and must be assigned to specific precincts. When a poll watcher is not serving in the election district for which the poll watcher was appointed, he or she may serve in any other election district in the same county in which the poll watcher is a qualified registered elector.

What happens if a poll watcher loses his or her certificate?

If a poll watcher loses his or her certificate or if the certificate is destroyed, the poll watcher may appear before the Court of Common Pleas on election day and after swearing an oath or affirmation may immediately receive a replacement watcher's certificate issued by the Court.

How far away from others do poll watchers have to be?

Poll watchers must maintain social distancing practices and ensure they are at least 6 feet from others at all times.

How many representatives are needed for each party in the county election?

The 2019 amendments to the Election Code expressly specify that one authorized representative for each candidate and one authorized representative for each political party must be permitted to remain in the room at the county election board where the pre-canvass and canvass meetings occur.

What is the job of a judge of elections?

The Judge of Elections has a duty to maintain order and ensure that the rules are being followed at the polling place. A Judge of Elections may call upon a constable, deputy constable, police officer or other peace officer to aid in maintaining order.

When are authorized representatives allowed to be present?

Authorized representatives are permitted to be present when envelopes containing official absentee ballots and mail-in ballots are opened and when such ballots are counted and recorded. This includes both the pre-canvass and canvass.

What do authorized representatives do in a county?

Authorized representatives must follow county instructions regarding health and safety protocols in the facility.

GENERAL ELECTION 2020: How To Vote

In 2016, the Department of State’s guidance to counties on poll watchers was limited, essentially offering basic rules for what poll watchers were and who could act in that capacity.

Spotlight PA provides essential, public-service journalism thanks to readers like you. Help us continue that work

Some counties have clearer rules about this particular point. In Lehigh and Chester counties, for example, watchers must stay at least 6 feet back from voting activity. Monroe and Bradford designate a table where poll workers must stay.

What is the purpose of a poll watcher?

In general, a poll watcher’s primary purpose is to ensure that their party has a fair chance of winning an election. Poll watchers closely monitor election administration and may keep track of voter turnout for their parties. They are not supposed to interfere in the electoral process apart from reporting issues to polling place authorities and party officials.

Can a candidate appoint a poll watcher?

In most states, political parties, candidates and ballot issue committees can appoint poll watchers. In some states a candidate cannot appoint a poll watcher but a group of several candidates can appoint poll watchers jointly. Organizations and civic groups can also appoint poll watchers in some states. Most states don’t allow candidates to be poll watchers.

image