BUSHWICK CAMPUS - 2022 PRIMARY

We continue our Count The Vote project, refining ways to protect, verify and monitor election results in order to increase transparency and raise public confidence. We are in dialogue with the New York State Board of Elections Co-Chair, Douglas Kellner for this project. He sent us a joint report from the Carter Center and the Alliance for Securing Democracy, supporting nonpartisan election observation,  

"Given the barrage of threats to U.S. elections, more robust election observation efforts — particularly nonpartisan observation could be critical to helping ensure the integrity of future elections, beginning with the 2022 midterms." 

August 21, 2022

Overall Assessment: Well run site with accurate numbers.

Light Turnout: 198 voters in nine days of Early Voting

This site was well-run by coordinators Rose Malcolm and Carlos Albarran. Poll workers were polite, professional and well-trained. The number of voters and scanned ballots matched, a very important indicator that this part of the election is accurate. 

Other checks such as 

• a poll tape comparison and 
• a robust audit

are also needed. Those are outside the scope of this process.

Problem: The coordinator had no knowledge of the Board of Election policy that allows poll watchers to look at poll books. Once she was shown materials from the board, she was cooperative. 

• Poll site coordinators and poll workers must be trained about poll watching and what is allowed. 
• The summary report was off by 2 ballots, because 2 ballots had not printed correctly. There needs to be a place on the summary report to notate why it doesn't match other records. 

Problem:  Ballots are transported by a single police officer. This is usually the case in New York City. This does not follow best chain of custody practices, which require that ballots and election materials are always in the custody of at least two people. 

New York state law needs to change to require two people to be with ballots and election materials at all times. 

Problem: The candidate we monitored for was not sent the necessary materials for poll watching. Board of Election staff and call centers were unable to locate the information and also gave out incorrect information and non-working numbers.

Candidates must be sent a packet that includes:

• Poll watcher statutes
• Poll watcher guidelines from the Board of Elections (p. 13-15)
• Poll watcher certificates (included in the above guide)
• Certificate template from the Board of Elections needs to be updated to leave room for multiple Election and Assembly Districts
• List of Election Districts and Assembly Districts for each polling location.

Board of Election staff must be trained about poll watching including

• What documentation is needed for a poll watcher certificate
• Where to find that information
• What poll watchers are allowed to do

In New York, poll watching must be for a candidate or a party. We do not endorse any candidate or party, we are observing so that the elections are fair for all. Our poll watcher certificate was provided by Paperboy Love Prince, who is running for U.S. Congress in New York's 7th District.

Once inside the building is friendly and well-lit. The moving accessible platform to bring voters and workers with disabilities into the space works well. It requires hands to open the gate, but there were two people available to help at all times. There were two ballot-marking devices that were plugged in and working. 

Problem: On the outside, the polling location is intimidating and not welcoming due to the scaffolding and construction. The main entrance was closed and signage to vote pointed in both directions, so it was a little hard to find the entrance. 

• More welcoming and clearly labeled polling location
• Even if there is construction, signs need to point in the right direction, and a colorful banner could help welcome voters.

The voting machines and ballot bags were sealed quickly. 

Problem: The paperwork bag with the results from Early Voting was not sealed until we requested it. It is important that Early Voting results not be released until after Election Day, so this bag must be sealed as well.

Potential Problem: Results from the media cards are being sent via one of the onsite laptops. This seems less secure than to transport the media cards and pull the results directly. We will check with security experts about this, but wonder why this is being done, when the media cards are being picked up immediately. 

• All sensitive materials must be sealed
• Why are results being sent electronically? Would like more information about this.