Donate to Protect the Midterms
Please make a tax-deductible donation now, so that we can help ensure that the midterms are fair and that election results are accurate. We've raised almost $140,000 dollars for this program. Our goal is $500,000 by November. Thank you for all that you do.
Election observation increases connection to community by having volunteers actively participate and learn more about their local elections. The process helps increase confidence, identify trouble spots, and reduces the risk of foul play. Elevated trust in election results increases the sense of community well-being following an election. It also decreases the chance that U.S. elections will be plunged into chaos, or even violence, following the election.
01/ TRAIN
LEARN THE PROCESS
Our training is more comprehensive than most. Learn to collect data and make observations during the election to provide evidence of whether the voting has been fair and the results are accurate.
02/ GET CERTIFIED
MANY STATES REQUIRE A CERTIFICATE.
Certificates are usually provided by candidates and political parties. We help you obtain the certificate so you can have access to important parts of the process.
03/ OBSERVE THE ELECTION
TRAINING IS AVAILABLE IN SIX DIFFERENT OBSERVATION AREAS:
Observe:
- Testing of the Voting Machines
- Voter Rolls
- In-person Voting (Early Voting & Election Day)
- Mail-in Ballot Processing
- Audits
- Election Night Reporting
SMART Elections #CountTheVote 2026 | Election Observation Trainings
Wed 10/21/26
6:30 - 8:00pm ET
In Person Observation & Audits
- Learn how to compare the number of voters to the number of ballots, and other ways to document that results are accurate.
- Learn to evaluate post-election audits,
- How many races & ballots are audited?
- Are discrepancies discovered? How are they addressed?
- Sign up for this training
This training is tailored for New York observers, but observers in any state can attend. The basic process is the same in many states
Video trainings are available to learn at your own speed.
- You must be signed up with us to get access to our trainings.
- It is free to sign up and you are not obligated to observe.
After you sign up, please send an email request for the training that you want to community@SMARTelections.us
Election observation trainings are available in the following areas:
- In-Person Voting Observation (Early Voting & Election Day)
- Learn how to compare the number of voters to the number of ballots, and other ways to document that results are accurate.
- Photographing Poll Tapes
- Take photos and videos on Election Night of the tapes that actually hold the results for each candidate. There are no poll tapes for Early Voting. This is for Election Night only.
- Chain of Custody
- Experts consider chain of custody one of the single most important parts of the election to document. Learn why and what you can do to help make sure votes are counted correctly in the midterms.
Description of trainings continued
- Post-Election Audits
- Learn to evaluate post-election audits, How many races & ballots are audited? Are discrepancies discovered? How are they addressed?
- Mail-in Voting & Dropboxes
- Mail-in ballots are at risk from both the possibility of rejection and fraud. Learn how to observe this process and what you can do to help ensure that valid votes get counted and not rejected & that illegitimate votes do not get injected into the results.
- Election Night Reporting
- Learn to track vote totals as they are collected and reported by counties, states, media & election night reporting outlets
- Voter Rolls
- Learn how to request voter rolls & check they are accurate. Voter rolls determine who gets to vote.
- Testing of the Voting Machines aka Logic & Accuracy Testing
- (mostly complete now)
- Learn how to observe voting machine testing. Who is conducting the tests, are all tests conducted & are best practices followed?
- Overview of all of the above
- Learn six different ways you can help protect elections by observing in your community, especially in close races.
Put your time where it matters most!
Join SMART Elections - an experienced, caring community improving U.S. elections.