CHAPTER 10. WATCHERS FOR THE MEDIA
IC 3-6-10
Chapter 10. Watchers for the Media
IC 3-6-10-1
Media entitled to watchers
Sec. 1. The following media may appoint in writing one (1)
watcher for each precinct:
(1) Each daily, weekly, semiweekly, or triweekly newspaper of
general circulation in the county where an election is held.
(2) Each news service operating in the county where an election
is held.
(3) Each radio or television station operating in the county
where an election is held.
As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.3-1987, SEC.42;
P.L.4-1996, SEC.13.
IC 3-6-10-2
List of watchers; signature
Sec. 2. A list of all persons appointed under section 1 of this
chapter shall be prepared and signed by an individual or an officer of
the corporation owning the newspaper, news service, radio station,
or television station. The signature must be verified.
As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.3-1987, SEC.43.
IC 3-6-10-3
Persons entitled to receive list
Sec. 3. The list required by section 2 of this chapter shall be
furnished the day before election day to the following:
(1) The circuit court clerk.
(2) The county election board.
(3) The county chairman of each political party that is entitled
to appoint a watcher under IC 3-6-8.
(4) The chairman of each independent candidate's committee
that is entitled to appoint a watcher under IC 3-6-8.
As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.3-1993, SEC.29.
IC 3-6-10-4
Application of IC 3-6-10-2 and IC 3-6-10-3
Sec. 4. Sections 2 and 3 of this chapter do not apply to persons
who are employed by a newspaper, news service, radio station, or
television station as their regular occupation.
As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.3-1987, SEC.44.
IC 3-6-10-5
Watcher identification card; powers; photographing proceedings;
photographing voters
Sec. 5. (a) Each person who acts as a watcher under this chapter
must obtain a watcher identification card from the county election
board. The identification card issued under this subsection must
clearly state the following:
(1) The status of the individual as an appointed watcher.
(2) The name of the individual serving as a watcher.
(3) The name of the person that appointed the individual as a
watcher.
(b) Watchers appointed under this chapter do not have a voice or
vote in any proceeding of a precinct election board. The watchers
may attend the election as witnesses only and are subject to the
orders of the board.
(c) Except as provided in subsection (d), a watcher appointed
under this chapter may photograph the proceedings of a precinct
election board.
(d) A watcher appointed under this chapter may not photograph
a voter:
(1) while the voter is in the polls if the voter informs the
precinct election board that the voter objects to being
photographed by the watcher; or
(2) in a manner that permits the watcher to see or know for what
ticket, candidates, or public questions the voter has voted.
As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.3-1987, SEC.45;
P.L.7-1990, SEC.5; P.L.4-1996, SEC.14; P.L.230-2005, SEC.22.
IC 3-6-10-5.5
Watcher rights
Sec. 5.5. A watcher appointed under this chapter is entitled to do
the following:
(1) Enter the polls at least thirty (30) minutes before the
opening of the polls and remain there throughout election day
until all tabulations have been completed.
(2) Inspect the paper ballot boxes, ballot card voting system, or
electronic voting system before votes have been cast.
(3) Inspect the work being done by any precinct election officer.
(4) Enter, leave, and reenter the polls at any time on election
day.
(5) Witness the calling and recording of the votes and any other
proceedings of the precinct election officers in the performance
of official duties.
(6) Receive a summary of the vote prepared under IC 3-12-2-15,
IC 3-12-3-2, IC 3-12-3-11, or IC 3-12-3.5-3, signed by the
precinct election board, providing the names of all candidates
and the number of votes cast for each candidate and the votes
cast for or against a public question.
(7) Accompany the inspector and the judge in delivering the
tabulation and the election returns to the county election board
by the most direct route.
(8) Be present when the inspector takes a receipt for the
tabulation and the election returns delivered to the county
election board.
As added by P.L.14-2004, SEC.16. Amended by P.L.221-2005,
SEC.13.
IC 3-6-10-6
Multiple county media watchers; procurement of watcher
identification card
Sec. 6. If a person desires to act as a watcher for a newspaper,
news service, radio station, or television station in more than one (1)
county in Indiana, the person must obtain a watcher identification
card from the election division. The secretary of state may adopt
rules under IC 4-22-2 to implement this section.
As added by P.L.3-1987, SEC.46. Amended by P.L.2-1996, SEC.7;
P.L.3-1997, SEC.50.