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Central Poll Supervisor Guidebook

Representatives

Candidates' representatives

Candidates' representatives ID
Text version of "Candidates' representatives ID"

Candidates and representatives must wear the badge shown above. They must sign in at each polling place they visit.

You are their main contact at the polling place. You can ask them to leave or have them removed if they don't follow Guidelines for Candidate's Representatives EC 20045.

They must stay neutral in the polling place, and they must respect the secrecy of the vote.

If elections officers have questions or concerns about them, the election officers should come to you.

Representatives bring an authorization form to the first polling place they visit. The form is signed by the candidate or agent. The CPS exchanges the form for a badge. Candidates themselves don't need an authorization form but they should wear a badge. The badge allows candidates and representatives to enter any polling place in the ED.

  1. CPS: Ask to see their Candidate's Representative Identification Badge
    EC 20901
    If they don't have the badge, follow steps for admitting a candidate or representative - page 38-39
  2. CPS: Have them sign in on Log of Candidates or Representatives at the Polling Place EC 50428
  3. CPS: Remind them:
    • at ordinary polls: they can collect Sequence Number Sheet
      EC 50111 from the IO every 60 minutes
    • at advance polls: they can receive information on electors who voted - by taking pictures of Sequence Number Sheet – Advance polls EC 50109 only after polls close
  4. CPS: Show them where they can sit

Note up to 2 representatives per candidate are allowed at a polling station at a time. Only 1 representative per candidate is allowed at a registration table

A candidate or representative doesn't have a badge

  1. CPS: Ask them for their Authorization of a Candidate's Representative EC 20020

    Note candidates themselves do not need the authorization form. Instead, ask to see a piece of ID if necessary and continue at step 5 below

  2. CPS: Check that the form has
    1. the electoral district number or name and the date of polling day
    2. name of representative and their candidate
    3. date and signature of candidate or official agent
  3. CPS: Ask them to read the declaration on the form and sign it. They must sign it, or re-sign it, in front of you
  4. CPS: Fill out Election Officer section
  5. CPS: Fill out and sign Candidate's Representative Identification Badge EC 20901
  6. CPS: Put the form in Envelope: Candidate Representative Documents EC 50423
  7. CPS: Give them the badge in a Plastic Badge Holder EC 20909 and a copy of Guidelines for Candidate's Representatives EC 20045 and remind them that they must wear the badge at all times while in any polling place
  8. CPS: Have them sign in on Log of Candidates or Representatives at the Polling Place EC 50428
  9. CPS: Remind them
    • at ordinary polls: they can collect Sequence Number Sheet EC 50111 from the IO every 60 minutes
    • at advance polls: they can receive information on electors who voted - by taking pictures of Sequence Number Sheet – Advance polls EC 50109 only after polls close
  10. CPS: Show them where they can sit

If candidate's representatives are being difficult

If a representative unreasonably challenges electors or disobeys the guidelines:

  1. CPS: Take the representative aside and ask them to explain the reasons for their actions
  2. CPS: Remind them they have to respect Guidelines for Candidate's Representatives EC 20045
  3. CPS: If they unreasonably challenge electors or disobey the guidelines, fill out an Incident Report EC 10051
    1. include contact information of witnesses and election officers involved
    2. ask election officers and any witnesses to each write a detailed description of what happened
  4. CPS: Call the office to inform them of the situation. Provide as much detail as possible
  5. CPS: Follow the office's instructions and document the situation in the
    Log of Notable Events — Polling Place Log EC  50358 - page 6

Note they might tell you to ask the representative to leave

Media representatives and photographers

By law, media representatives or photographers are not allowed inside the room where voting is taking place, except by special arrangement with Elections Canada. If there is an exception, the RO will give you more information before they arrive.

If a media representative or photographer arrives unexpectedly

  1. CPS: Tell them:
    1. that by law they are not allowed to enter the room where voting is taking place
    2. that they can call 1-877-877-9515 or visit www.elections.ca for more information
    3. that they may take pictures and video footage from outside the door of the room
    4. that they may not prevent electors from entering the room
    5. that they may not do anything that might compromise the secrecy of the vote
  2. CPS: Call the office to let the RO know that there are media at your polling place
  3. CPS: Fill out an Incident Report EC 10051

Visitors

Visitors ID
Text version of "Visitors ID"

Elections Canada authorizes visitors. They must wear the badge shown above.

You are their main contact.

They must stay neutral in the polling place, and respect the secrecy of the vote.

They might be alone or in a group. They might be observing any aspect of the polling place. They will not interrupt you or the voting process, but they might ask questions if you are not busy.

  1. CPS: Ask to see their badge. If they don't have it, ask them to leave
  2. CPS: Show them where they can sit

If you have any questions about the behaviour of visitors, call the office


Auditors

Auditors ID
Text version of "Auditors ID"

The Canada Elections Act requires that an audit take place to ensure compliance with the procedures at polling places. An auditor may come to your polling place.

Elections Canada authorizes auditors. They must wear the badge shown above.

You are their main contact.

They must stay neutral in the polling place, and respect the secrecy of the vote.

Auditors usually work alone. They are observing voting procedures and reviewing the records being kept. They may observe at polling stations and at registration desks. They will not interrupt you or the voting process.

  • they may circulate freely within the polling place
  • they may sit close to the table so that they can observe properly
  • they may examine an elector's ID documents, but they cannot handle them
  • they may review the documents at each table without interrupting the voting process
  • they may ask you questions
  • they will be making notes, on paper or on a laptop or a tablet
  1. CPS: Ask to see their badge. If they don't have it, ask them to leave
  2. CPS: Show them where they can sit

If you have questions about procedures, call the office, don't ask the auditor. If you have any questions about the behaviour of auditors, call the office.