C. Poll Watching

1. Watchers and authorized observers must not be subject to a six-foot limit during the following steps in the election process except when voters’ personal information is present:
• logic and accuracy testing
• mail ballot processing
• post-casting processing of ballots voted in a polling place, vote center, or service center
• hand counting
• auditing
• canvass board activities

2. The six-foot limit properly applies to the watcher and observers only while a voter is actually voting, so that the voter may have privacy while marking the ballot. It is an inappropriate interpretation of the six-foot rule to apply it to any activity beyond the casting of the vote. After an anonymous vote has been cast, and the voter’s personal information—e.g., mail or provisional ballot envelope—has been removed, watchers should be able to view the ballots at a comfortable reading distance. Statute should provide accredited observers with all visual and auditory access required to properly oversee the activities that lead to the election outcome.

3. Allow and encourage volunteer election judges and poll-workers (to save money on judges’ and poll-workers’ wages).

4. Create appropriate opportunities for unaffiliated candidates and minority parties to be represented by authorized watchers, election judges, and canvass board members. Control of election processing should not rest solely with two major parties, especially in a state such as Colorado that has a large proportion of the electorate registered without party affiliation.