Election Integrity Concerns

Introduction: The Foundation of Democracy Under Scrutiny

Election integrity is the cornerstone of a functioning democracy. The public's trust that every vote is cast and counted fairly is paramount. However, this trust can be fragile. A recent incident in New York City, where a certified poll watcher was escorted out of a polling place by police after being denied access to vote totals, brought these concerns into sharp focus and underscored the ongoing debate about transparency and adherence to election law.

This article delves into that incident, explains the vital role and legal rights of poll watchers, examines broader election integrity challenges facing the United States, and explores how officials and activists are working to strengthen the system.

Case Study: A Poll Watcher's Removal in New York

On Election Day in November 2023, Lulu Friesdat, a volunteer poll watcher with the nonpartisan group SMART Elections, was at her assigned polling site in New York City. Armed with an official certificate, she knew her rights under New York state law, which allows authorized watchers to observe the process and view the public counters on voting machines that show the number of ballots cast.

When Friesdat requested to see this running count, the site coordinator refused.

"I don't want to see your statute, Lulu... I was told by my supervisor not to let you see any numbers," the coordinator allegedly stated, according to SMART Elections. Shortly after, police were called to escort Friesdat from the premises.

The incident immediately raised red flags for transparency advocates. Was it a simple misunderstanding by an improperly trained worker, or a deliberate violation of election law?

"If a poll watcher with credentials isn’t allowed to see the vote count, that’s a serious problem," said Friesdat, who co-founded SMART Elections. "Poll watchers are there to provide oversight. When we’re prevented from doing our job, you have to ask why."

The event prompted calls for more citizens to volunteer as poll watchers to ensure robust, lawful observation—a key defense against potential problems at the polls.

Caption: Observers play a crucial role in ensuring transparency at polling sites across the country. Authorized poll watchers have legal rights to monitor election procedures.

The Legal Rights and Role of Poll Watchers

Poll watchers, also known as election observers, are the public's eyes and ears at polling places and counting centers. Appointed by candidates, parties, or civic groups, their job is to verify that procedures are followed correctly and to identify irregularities, all within the bounds of the law.

Each state has specific laws governing poll watchers. Generally, they must have official credentials and are permitted to observe everything from voter check-in to the final tallying of votes. They are meant to observe and report, not to interfere. If they spot a potential issue, they report it to the head poll worker or other election authorities.

In New York, election law is clear: certified poll watchers have the right to be present and to inspect vote totals. The site coordinator's remark, "I was told by my supervisor not to let you see any numbers," is particularly alarming, as it suggests a potential systemic miscommunication or directive that contravenes state transparency laws. SMART Elections has indicated it plans to file a formal complaint to seek clarification from the New York City Board of Elections.

What Do Poll Watchers Do? An Explainer

The role of poll watchers became a heated topic in recent elections. For a clear overview of what they do and why they are important, this video explainer is a helpful resource.

This CBS News video explains the role of poll watchers in U.S. elections and the rules they must follow.

Broader Election Integrity Concerns

The incident in New York is a single example of the wider challenges facing the U.S. electoral system.

• Conflicts Over Observer Access: The 2020 election saw numerous disputes over poll watcher access in cities like Philadelphia and Detroit. These events, often fueled by confusion over local rules, contributed to a chaotic atmosphere and sowed distrust. Clear, well-communicated rules are essential to avoid such conflicts.
• Voting Machine and Tech Glitches: While not evidence of fraud, technological errors can undermine confidence. A software misconfiguration in Antrim County, Michigan, in 2020 briefly showed incorrect results, an error that was caught and corrected but later exploited by misinformation campaigns.
• Paper Ballots and Audits: To counter technological concerns, security experts overwhelmingly advocate for paper ballots. Today, over 95% of U.S. votes are cast on paper, creating a physical record that can be audited. Many states now use Risk-Limiting Audits (RLAs), a statistical method of hand-checking ballots to confirm machine counts are accurate.
• Misinformation and Public Trust: The most significant challenge may be the flood of false claims about election fraud. Baseless allegations have created a sharp partisan divide in voter trust. A January 2021 Pew Research Center survey found that a majority of Republicans believed the 2020 election was not run fairly, a view shared by only a small fraction of Democrats.
• Pressure on Election Officials: Local election officials face immense pressure and harassment. Despite this, a joint statement from federal security agencies after the 2020 election called it "the most secure in American history," citing no evidence of compromised voting systems.

How the System Is Responding and Improving

In response to these challenges, states and organizations are taking steps to bolster election integrity and restore voter confidence.

• Strengthening Laws and Training: States are updating laws to clarify the role of observers and are investing in better training for both poll workers and poll watchers to prevent conflicts.
• Increasing Transparency: Many jurisdictions now livestream their vote-counting processes and publish detailed results online. For example, Maricopa County, Arizona, installed 24/7 cameras in its tabulation centers.
• Routine Audits: The adoption of post-election audits like RLAs is a growing trend. After Georgia's close 2020 election, a statewide hand-count audit of all 5 million ballots confirmed the machine-counted outcome, providing tangible evidence of accuracy.
• Modernizing Voting Systems: Election infrastructure is continually updated. Systems undergo federal and state certification, and there is a push toward open-source software and enhanced cybersecurity, treating elections as "critical infrastructure."
• Legal and Civic Action: Groups like SMART Elections use legal complaints to enforce transparency rules, while organizations like the Brennan Center for Justice advocate for legislative reforms.

As election law expert Edward Foley of Ohio State University notes, "The goal must be to make our elections as open and verifiable as possible... Sunlight is the best disinfectant in elections."

How You Can Get Involved and Stay Informed

For citizens concerned about election integrity, there are constructive ways to make a difference.

1. Volunteer: Serve as a poll worker or become a trained poll watcher through a political party or nonpartisan group like SMART Elections.
2. Report Problems: If you witness an irregularity, report it to the site supervisor. If unresolved, contact your state's election hotline or the nonpartisan Election Protection Hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE.
3. Educate Yourself and Others: Learn how elections work in your state using resources like Ballotpedia's guide on poll watchers. Share credible information to counter rumors and misinformation.
4. Support Transparency: Follow the work of non-profits like Verified Voting and the Brennan Center for Justice, which advocate for secure voting practices and equipment.

Conclusion: Democracy is a Hands-On Project

The removal of a poll watcher in New York is a cautionary tale that highlights the importance of vigilance, transparency, and adherence to the law. While the U.S. election system has proven resilient, its integrity relies on layers of security, dedicated officials, and the active participation of its citizens.

As we look toward future elections, every problem exposed presents an opportunity for improvement. By demanding transparency, volunteering, and staying informed, we can all play a part in strengthening the trust that underpins our republic. Ensuring election integrity is an ongoing journey, but a vital one for the health of our democracy.