Becoming a Poll Watcher
This “Poll Watcher’s Guide” has been designed to familiarize poll watchers with their basic
rights and responsibilities. The integrity of elections is a concern of all citizens, and although
poll watchers may represent particular candidates, political parties, or specific-purpose political
action committees, their main interest is in the conduct of a fair and honest election.
A poll watcher’s role in an election is established by Chapter 33 of the Texas Election Code and
is defined as follows:
Poll Watcher – a person appointed to observe the conduct of an election on behalf of:
- a candidate,
- a political party, or
- the proponents or opponents of a measure (specific-purpose political action committees).
Appointment of Poll Watcher by Candidate Form
Appointment of Poll Watcher by Political Party Form
Appointment of Poll Watcher for Propositions or Measures
Appointment of Poll Watcher by Registered Voters on Behalf of Write-In Candidate