CMO Elections & Voter Registration 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A registered voter moves to a new address within the same municipality two weeks before an election. What is the best course of action for the voter?
- The voter must re-register at the new address before voting
- The voter should vote at their old polling place using their existing registration until next cycle
- The voter should update their registration and, depending on state law, may vote at the new or old polling place (Correct answer)
- The voter loses the right to vote in that election due to the address change
Correct answer: The voter should update their registration and, depending on state law, may vote at the new or old polling place
Most states allow voters who have moved within the jurisdiction to update their registration and vote, either at their old or new polling location depending on state law.
Question 2: What is the purpose of a 'poll book' (or pollbook) used at a polling place?
- A ledger recording campaign donations received on election day
- A list of registered voters assigned to that precinct used to verify eligibility at check-in (Correct answer)
- A record of provisional ballots cast and the reasons for their issuance
- A log of election law violations reported by poll watchers
Correct answer: A list of registered voters assigned to that precinct used to verify eligibility at check-in
A poll book is the official list of registered voters for a precinct; election workers use it to verify voter identity and eligibility at check-in.
Question 3: Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), what must a municipality ensure regarding polling places?
- That at least one accessible parking space is provided within 500 feet
- That polling places are physically accessible to voters with disabilities, including entrances, voting booths, and pathways (Correct answer)
- That sign language interpreters are present at every polling location
- That special early voting hours are provided exclusively for voters with disabilities
Correct answer: That polling places are physically accessible to voters with disabilities, including entrances, voting booths, and pathways
The ADA requires that all aspects of the polling place—including entrances, voting areas, and pathways—be accessible to voters with physical disabilities.
Question 4: What is the role of a 'poll watcher' during a municipal election?
- An election official responsible for enforcing rules inside the polling place
- An authorized representative of a candidate or party who observes the voting process without interfering (Correct answer)
- A trained volunteer who assists voters with disabilities in marking their ballots
- A state official who audits the election for compliance with federal law
Correct answer: An authorized representative of a candidate or party who observes the voting process without interfering
Poll watchers are credentialed observers appointed by candidates, parties, or campaigns who may observe but not interfere with election administration.
Question 5: A municipality is required under the Voting Rights Act to provide bilingual election materials. What threshold typically triggers this requirement?
- When at least 1% of the citizen voting-age population speaks a single non-English language
- When at least 5% or 10,000 citizens of voting age are members of a single language minority group (Correct answer)
- When a petition signed by 500 registered voters requesting bilingual materials is submitted
- When the municipality has a history of discrimination documented by the DOJ
Correct answer: When at least 5% or 10,000 citizens of voting age are members of a single language minority group
Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act requires bilingual materials when at least 5% or 10,000 voting-age citizens belong to a single language minority group with limited English proficiency.
Question 6: What is a 'recall election' in the context of municipal government?
- An election held to fill a vacancy caused by an official's resignation or death
- A vote by registered voters to remove an elected official from office before their term expires (Correct answer)
- A special election triggered when fewer than 25% of registered voters turn out in a general election
- An administrative review of election results ordered by the state when fraud is suspected
Correct answer: A vote by registered voters to remove an elected official from office before their term expires
A recall election allows registered voters to vote to remove an elected official from office prior to the end of their term, subject to state law requirements.
Question 7: Which of the following best describes the 'chain of custody' requirement in election administration?
- The requirement that all elected officials are bonded and insured against fraud
- The documented, unbroken accountability for ballots and election materials from printing through certification (Correct answer)
- The legal chain of command among election officials from precinct worker to the Secretary of State
- The requirement that election results be transmitted through secure encrypted channels only
Correct answer: The documented, unbroken accountability for ballots and election materials from printing through certification
Chain of custody requires that ballots and election materials be continuously tracked and secured with documented handoffs from production through final certification to prevent tampering.
CMO Elections & Voter Registration 5
A registered voter moves to a new address within the same municipality two weeks before an election.
What is the best course of action for the voter?