(a) Each candidate may name a watcher for every polling place. As used in this subsection, a polling place shall mean a location for ballot boxes or voting machines, regardless of the number thereof.
(b) The watcher, upon presentation of his or her appointment in writing and being sworn faithfully to observe the rule of law prescribed for the conduct of elections, shall be permitted to be present at the place where ballots are cast from the time the polls are opened until the ballots are counted and certificates of the result of the election are duly signed by the proper election officers. The function of the watcher is to observe activities at the polling place. The watcher may not disturb voters, attempt to influence voters, campaign, or display or wear any campaign material or buttons while inside any polling place.
(c) When paper ballots are used at the election, the watcher shall be permitted to see the ballots as they are called during the count.
(d) When voting machines are used, the watchers shall, upon presentation of their appointment in writing, be permitted to be present when the machines are being prepared and sealed for use at the election. On election morning the watcher may witness the breaking of the seal on the envelope containing the key or keys to the voting machines, and, when the machine has been unlocked and the counters exposed, he or she shall carefully examine each and every counter to see that it registers zero, and he or she shall also examine the ballots and satisfy himself or herself that they are in their proper places on the machine and that the machine is properly placed. The watcher must also sign a certificate setting out the above facts, as required by subsection (c) of Section 11-46-47. He or she may also be present and witness the opening of the machine after the polls have closed, the reading and tabulating of the result of the election as recorded on the voting machine and the resealing of the machine.
Structure Code of Alabama
Title 11 - Counties and Municipal Corporations.
Title 2 - Provisions Applicable to Municipal Corporations Only.
Article 2 - Elections in Certain Cities or Towns Having Mayor-Council Form of Government.
Section 11-46-21 - Time of Elections; Notice; Assumption of Duties by Elected Officers.
Section 11-46-22 - Notice of Elections.
Section 11-46-24 - Designating and Equipping Voting Places; Election Officials; Canvass Returns.
Section 11-46-25 - Ballots; Statements of Candidacy; Withdrawal of Candidacy.
Section 11-46-26 - Proceedings Where Only One Candidate or Nominee for Office.
Section 11-46-27 - Appointment, Compensation, etc., of Election Officers.
Section 11-46-29 - Appointment of Election Officers Upon Failure of Others to Attend Polls.
Section 11-46-32 - Election Supplies.
Section 11-46-33 - Duties of Clerk as to Voting Machines.
Section 11-46-34 - Voting Booths.
Section 11-46-40 - Assistance of Disabled Electors Generally.
Section 11-46-43 - Right of Secret Ballot; Write-in Voting Prohibited.
Section 11-46-49 - Election Officers for Voting Machines; Duties.
Section 11-46-56 - Absentee Ballots - Eligibility.
Section 11-46-58 - Absentee Ballots - Marking, Posting, etc., of Lists of Applicants.
Section 11-46-59 - Offenses of Mayor and Other Executive Officers.
Section 11-46-60 - Offenses of Clerks.
Section 11-46-61 - Offenses of Election Officers Generally.
Section 11-46-62 - Offenses of Inspectors.
Section 11-46-63 - Failure of Returning Officer to Deliver Statement of Votes and Poll List.
Section 11-46-64 - Deception of Disabled Voters by Marker, Etc.
Section 11-46-65 - Drinking of Intoxicating Liquors by Watcher.
Section 11-46-67 - Offenses of Electors.
Section 11-46-68 - Miscellaneous Offenses.
Section 11-46-69 - Contest of Elections - Grounds; Commencement of Action.
Section 11-46-70 - Contest of Elections - Trial; Entry of Judgment.
Section 11-46-71 - Annulment of Elections.
Section 11-46-72 - Procedure Where Election Not Held on Day Appointed.
Section 11-46-73 - Provisions of Article as to Offenses Cumulative.
Section 11-46-74 - Use of Election Dates Established by Classification Act or Local Act.