D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 3, r. 3-1108

Current through Register 71, No. 45, November 7, 2024
Rule 3-1108 - WATCHERS
1108.1

Two (2) persons representing the proposer(s) and two (2) persons representing the elected official sought to be recalled may be present during the counting and validation procedures and shall be deemed watchers.

1108.2

To secure the presence of watchers, the proposer or elected official shall file a petition for credentials for watchers within three (3) days from the date the initiative or referendum petition is submitted for filing.

1108.3

Each petition for credentials shall be on a form furnished by the Board and shall contain the following:

(a) The name, address, telephone number, and signature of the proposer(s) or elected official;
(b) The names, addresses, and telephone numbers of the persons authorized to represent the proposer(s) or elected official and receive the badges from the Board; and
(c) A certificate that each proposed watcher shall conform to the regulations of the Board concerning watchers and the conduct of the counting and validation process.
1108.4

Watchers shall report to the Board's offices no later than the first business day following the submission of the credential petition, at which time the Board shall issue a badge for each authorized watcher, with space for the watcher's name, the serial number of the measure, and the name of the proposer(s) or political committee(s) represented by the watcher.

1108.5

Board staff shall notify the persons authorized to represent the proposer(s) or the elected official of the schedule for the administration of the counting and validation procedures, which may occur after the close of business, on weekends, and on scheduled holidays, and of any amendments to such schedule. Such notice shall include instructions on the time by which watchers must report to the Board's offices in order to observe the process. Watchers who report after the stated time may be denied the opportunity to observe the process on that day.

1108.6

Badges shall be worn by the authorized watcher at all times when observing the counting and validation process.

1108.7

An authorized alternate watcher may, in the discretion of the proposer(s) or the elected official, be substituted for a watcher at any time during the counting and validation process; provided, that notice is first given to the designated representative of the Board who is present.

1108.8

No watcher shall at any time during the counting and validation process do the following:

(a) Touch any official record of the Board; or
(b) Interfere with the progress of the counting and validation process or obstruct in any way the process.
1108.9

If a watcher has any questions or claims any discrepancy, inaccuracy, or error in the conduct of the procedures, he or she shall direct his or her question or complaint to the Board designee in charge.

1108.10

Any watcher who, in the judgment of the Board or its designated representative, has failed to comply with any of the rules in this section may be requested to leave the area where the verification process is being conducted, and the watcher's credentials shall be deemed canceled. An authorized alternate watcher may be substituted.

D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 3, r. 3-1108

Final Rulemaking published at 42 DCR 4419, 4431-32 (August 18, 1995); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 47 DCR 5927 (July 28, 2000); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 48 DCR 11722 (December 28, 2001); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 49 DCR 2737 (March 22, 2002; as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 58 DCR 941, 971 (February 10, 2012); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 60 DCR 5582 (April 12, 2013); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 61 DCR 625 (January 24, 2014); amended by Final Rulemaking published at 70 DCR15793 (12/15/2023)
Authority: The District of Columbia Election Code of 1955, as amended, approved August 12, 1955 (69 Stat. 699; D.C. Official Code § 1-1001.05(a)(14) ).