The Democratic Party needs more Democratic Poll Challengers to oversee voting at Early Voting Sites (beginning October 24) and on Election Day (November 3). Only registered voters in Michigan qualify to be a Challenger. Although the term “challenger” may sound intimidating, it’s almost a misnomer. Democratic Party Challengers are not supposed to challenge; their role is to ensure that in person voters are allowed to vote. They also report evidence of fraud or wrongdoing to the Democratic Party or to the person in charge at the poll. Indeed, in my view, a Democratic Challenger is best described as a “reporter.”
My husband and I have served as Democratic Poll Challengers since 2008. Through the many hours, often thankfully boring, we’re forbidden to speak with anyone other than the Polling Location Liaison. As Challengers, we’re volunteer observers, not paid employees or politicians. Our job is to observe the people entering, signing in to vote, filling out their ballot in private, and bringing it to the tabulator to be counted. We bear witness to the guts of our democracy.
To become a Democratic Party Challenger, you must get trained and certified by the Michigan Democratic Party. To sign up or investigate further, please go to the following web site:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeT85E5xTxcl41rfFOGZu4e09-DdZgJ8zPoAM8oiOJsNdtW7w/viewform