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.