Accessibility links
1A Remaking America: The Poll Watchers Primed With Disinformation Elections officials across the country are reporting an increase in poll watchers and poll observers in the lead up to the midterms. But what happens when those keeping an eye on the democratic process are trained by groups promoting election disinformation?

A survey of elections directors in North Carolina found violations in 15 counties. Officials there observed poll watchers harassing voters and attempting to enter restricted areas to view confidential voting records, according to the Associated Press.

We speak with elections officials about the role of observers at voting sites, and who's watching the poll watchers as they show up at polling places.

This conversation is part of our Remaking America collaboration with six public radio stations around the country. Remaking America is funded in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Find us on Twitter @1A.

1A

1A Remaking America: The Poll Watchers Primed With Disinformation

1A Remaking America: The Poll Watchers Primed With Disinformation

Listen · 34:03
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1120385486/1200108156" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Enlarge this image

A sign reading "This Way To Vote" is displayed outside the Old Wilson Schoolhouse Community Center in Wilson, Wyoming as Wyoming holds its Republican primary election. PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images

A sign reading "This Way To Vote" is displayed outside the Old Wilson Schoolhouse Community Center in Wilson, Wyoming as Wyoming holds its Republican primary election.

PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images

Elections officials across the country are reporting an increase in poll watchers and poll observers in the lead up to the midterms. But what happens when those keeping an eye on the democratic process are trained by groups promoting election disinformation?

A survey of elections directors in North Carolina found violations in 15 counties. Officials there observed poll watchers harassing voters and attempting to enter restricted areas to view confidential voting records, according to the Associated Press.

There were similar reports from Shasta County, California, where during the June primary elections, officials said observers tried to "intimidate" them during the vote count.

And in Texas, the entire Gillespie County elections department resigned before the general election. In her resignation letter, the county's election administrator cited "threats against election officials" and "dangerous misinformation" as reasons for stepping down from the position.

What is the role of observers at voting sites? Who's watching the poll watchers as they show up at polling places?

The New York Times'Alexandra Berzon, Democracy Fund's Tammy Patrick, County Recorder for Maricopa County, Arizona Stephen Richer and Elections Director for Henderson County, North CarolinaKaren Hebb join us for the conversation.

This conversation is part of our Remaking America collaboration with six public radio stations around the country. Remaking America is funded in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Like what you hear? Find more of our programs online.