POLL WATCHERS for candidates, propositions and presidential candidates          (R.S. 18:427, 18:435, 18:1486 (external))

Right To Have Watchers

• Each candidate is entitled to have one watcher at every precinct where the office he seeks is on the ballot in a primary or general election.
• In addition to watchers and alternate watchers per precinct, each candidate may designate one watcher as a "Super Watcher" who can be admitted in every precinct in the candidate's election at the same time as either the watcher or alternate watcher who is serving for the candidate.
• Any person who is supporting or opposing a proposition (including the recall of a public officer) and who has filed a report required by R.S. 18:1486 (external) (Campaign Finance Disclosure Act) is entitled to have one watcher at every precinct in which the proposition is on the ballot.
• Federal monitors and court-ordered monitors are subject to these guidelines.

View and print a Poll Watchers Pamphlet (PDF) to learn about the commissioning of watchers by the parsih board of election supervisors, the qualifications of watchers, their powers and duties and their election day procedures.

View and print a List of Watchers form (PDF).

• The candidate files one list of watchers with the clerk of court before 5 p.m. on the 10^th day before any primary or general election.
• If the 10^th day prior to the election falls on a Saturday, Sunday or other legal holiday, the list shall be filed on the next day which is not a Saturday, Sunday or other legal holiday.
• A candidate’s list of watchers may be filed by the candidate’s authorized representative with a letter of authorization from the candidate.
• Any person filing a list of watchers for a proposition or recall election must attach a certified statement that the report required by R.S. 18:1486 (external) has been filed with the Division of Campaign Finance.
• If a candidate submits a list for a primary election and does not submit a list for the general election, the list submitted for the primary election shall be treated as the list submitted for the general election.
• A list of watchers shall contain only one watcher and one alternate watcher for each precinct where the candidate is entitled to have a watcher. In addition to watchers and alternate watchers per precinct, each candidate may designate one watcher as a "Super Watcher."
• The list shall be submitted on a form provided by the secretary of state which is available from the clerk of court, or typed or legibly written on a form which contains the same information.
• The list shall contain the name and mailing address of each watcher and a designation of the precinct where he is to serve.

Presidential Election Watcher List

• The state central committee of each recognized political party is responsible for filing the watcher list for its slate of candidates for presidential elector.
• Watcher lists for an independent or other party slate of candidates for presidential elector shall be filed by any person so authorized by the presidential candidate supported by the slate of electors. A letter of authorization from the presidential candidate, or an authorized agent of his campaign, shall accompany the list.
• The certified statement that the report required by R.S. 18:1486 (external) has been filed with the Division of Campaign Finance is not necessary.