New Texas poll watcher program announced ahead of November midterm elections

SAN ANTONIO (KTSA News) — If you are interested in becoming a certified poll watcher ahead of the November 8, 2022 midterm elections, there is now a training program available to help you do that.

Texas Secretary of State John Scott announced the poll watcher training program in a release heading into the Labor Day weekend.

“The new Poll Watcher Training program launched today will ensure that every individual who wishes to observe and report on the voting process in their county understands Texas election law, knows how to spot violations of the Texas Election Code, and is properly trained on how to report any irregularities they may observe. Ensuring transparency is a key aspect of maintaining election integrity, and our office encourages all Texans who want to become poll watchers to study the training material thoroughly and treat all voters, poll workers and election officials with absolute respect while observing the voting process,” Secretary Scott said.

Poll watchers in Texas are those appointed to observe election conduct on behalf of a candidate, political party or the proponents or opponents of a given measure being voted on.

To become a poll watcher, you must:

• Be a registered voter of the territory (e.g., city, school district) covered by the election and of the county for November general elections for state and county officers (held on even-numbered years), primary elections, or other countywide elections;
• NOT be a candidate for public office in an election held on the day the watcher seeks to serve;
• NOT hold an elective public office;
• NOT be an employee of an election judge or clerk serving at the same polling place;
• NOT have been finally convicted of an offense in connection with conduct directly attributable to an election; AND
• NOT be related within the second degree of consanguinity or affinity (as determined by Tex. Gov’t Code, Secs. 573.022-573.025) to an election judge or clerk serving at that polling place. These include spouses, siblings, grandparents, and grandchildren. A watcher may be related to the candidate the watcher is representing.

You can get more information on becoming a poll watcher or poll worker by clicking here.