CHAPTER 8. WATCHERS FOR POLITICAL PARTIES AND INDEPENDENT CANDIDATES
IC 3-6-8
Chapter 8. Watchers for Political Parties and Independent
Candidates
IC 3-6-8-1
Entitlement to appoint watcher
Sec. 1. (a) Each bona fide political party or an independent
candidate for a federal or a state office is entitled to appoint watchers
at each precinct in which the political party or independent candidate
is on the ballot.
(b) This subsection applies to a public question that is submitted
to the electorate. A county election board may appoint watchers if a
petition requesting the appointment is filed with the board. The
petition must be signed by:
(1) the chairman of a political action committee organized
under IC 3-9 to support or oppose the approval of the public
question; and
(2) at least the number of voters equal to two percent (2%) of
the votes cast in the last election for secretary of state in the
county.
(c) At any time during election day, each political action
committee, each political party, or an independent candidate for a
federal or a state office may have only one (1) watcher present at
each precinct's polls.
As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.5-1989, SEC.12;
P.L.3-1993, SEC.24; P.L.3-1995, SEC.20.
IC 3-6-8-2
Eligibility of candidates
Sec. 2. A candidate to be voted for at an election, except as an
unopposed candidate for precinct committeeman or state convention
delegate, is not eligible to be appointed as a watcher at an election.
As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.4-1991, SEC.19.
IC 3-6-8-2.5
Eligibility of watchers
Sec. 2.5. A watcher appointed under this chapter must be a
registered voter of the county.
As added by P.L.3-1997, SEC.47.
IC 3-6-8-3
Identification card
Sec. 3. (a) A watcher present at the polls must possess an
identification card issued under this section and present the card if
demanded by a member of the precinct election board.
(b) The county election board, county chairman, or chairman of
the committee of the independent candidate for a federal or a state
office:
(1) must appoint each watcher in writing; and
(2) shall issue one (1) watcher identification card for each
person appointed as a watcher.
(c) The identification card must be signed by the chairman of the
county election board, county chairman of the party, or chairman of
the committee of the independent candidate for a federal or a state
office that the watcher represents.
(d) The identification card described in subsection (a) 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 who appointed the individual as a
watcher.
(4) If the individual has been appointed as a watcher by a
political party, the name of the political party.
As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.5-1989, SEC.13;
P.L.7-1990, SEC.4; P.L.3-1993, SEC.25; P.L.3-1995, SEC.21;
P.L.230-2005, SEC.20.
IC 3-6-8-4
Powers and duties
Sec. 4. A watcher appointed under this chapter is entitled to:
(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:
(A) the names of all candidates of the political party whose
primary election is being observed by the watcher and the
number of votes cast for each candidate;
(B) the names of all candidates at a general, municipal, or
special election and the number of votes cast for each
candidate; or
(C) the vote cast for or against a public question;
(7) accompany the inspector and judge in delivering the
tabulation and 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 election returns delivered to the county election
board; and
(9) call upon the election sheriffs to make arrests.
As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.3-1987, SEC.38;
P.L.3-1993, SEC.26; P.L.3-1997, SEC.48; P.L.221-2005, SEC.11.
IC 3-6-8-5
Blank certificates for vote summaries
Sec. 5. The county election board shall provide blank certificates
for the summaries required by section 4(6) of this chapter.
As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.2.
IC 3-6-8-6
Report of violations
Sec. 6. A watcher appointed under this chapter shall report any
violation of the election laws that comes to the watcher's attention to
the county grand jury or prosecuting attorney.
As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.2.