IC 3-6-8
    Chapter 8. Watchers for Political Parties and IndependentCandidates

IC 3-6-8-1
Entitlement to appoint watcher
    Sec. 1. (a) Each bona fide political party or an independentcandidate for a federal or a state office is entitled to appoint watchersat each precinct in which the political party or independent candidateis on the ballot.
    (b) This subsection applies to a public question that is submittedto the electorate. A county election board may appoint watchers if apetition requesting the appointment is filed with the board. Thepetition must be signed by:
        (1) the chairman of a political action committee organizedunder IC 3-9 to support or oppose the approval of the publicquestion; and
        (2) at least the number of voters equal to two percent (2%) ofthe votes cast in the last election for secretary of state in thecounty.
    (c) At any time during election day, each political actioncommittee, each political party, or an independent candidate for afederal or a state office may have only one (1) watcher present ateach precinct's polls.
As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.5-1989, SEC.12;P.L.3-1993, SEC.24; P.L.3-1995, SEC.20.

IC 3-6-8-2
Eligibility of candidates
    Sec. 2. A candidate to be voted for at an election, except as anunopposed candidate for precinct committeeman or state conventiondelegate, is not eligible to be appointed as a watcher at an election.
As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.4-1991, SEC.19.

IC 3-6-8-2.5
Eligibility of watchers
    Sec. 2.5. A watcher appointed under this chapter must be aregistered voter of the county.
As added by P.L.3-1997, SEC.47.

IC 3-6-8-3
Identification card
    Sec. 3. (a) A watcher present at the polls must possess anidentification card issued under this section and present the card ifdemanded by a member of the precinct election board.
    (b) The county election board, county chairman, or chairman ofthe committee of the independent candidate for a federal or a stateoffice:
        (1) must appoint each watcher in writing; and
        (2) shall issue one (1) watcher identification card for each

person appointed as a watcher.
    (c) The identification card must be signed by the chairman of thecounty election board, county chairman of the party, or chairman ofthe committee of the independent candidate for a federal or a stateoffice that the watcher represents.
    (d) The identification card described in subsection (a) mustclearly state the following:
        (1) The status of the individual as an appointed watcher.
        (2) The name of the individual serving as a watcher.
        (3) The name of the person who appointed the individual as awatcher.
        (4) If the individual has been appointed as a watcher by apolitical party, the name of the political party.
As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.5-1989, SEC.13;P.L.7-1990, SEC.4; P.L.3-1993, SEC.25; P.L.3-1995, SEC.21;P.L.230-2005, SEC.20.

IC 3-6-8-4
Powers and duties
    Sec. 4. A watcher appointed under this chapter is entitled to:
        (1) enter the polls at least thirty (30) minutes before the openingof the polls and remain there throughout election day until alltabulations have been completed;
        (2) inspect the paper ballot boxes, ballot card voting system, orelectronic voting system before votes have been cast;
        (3) inspect the work being done by any precinct election officer;
        (4) enter, leave, and reenter the polls at any time on electionday;
        (5) witness the calling and recording of the votes and any otherproceedings of the precinct election officers in the performanceof official duties;
        (6) receive a summary of the vote prepared under IC 3-12-2-15,IC 3-12-3-2, IC 3-12-3-11, or IC 3-12-3.5-3, signed by theprecinct election board, providing:
            (A) the names of all candidates of the political party whoseprimary election is being observed by the watcher and thenumber of votes cast for each candidate;
            (B) the names of all candidates at a general, municipal, orspecial election and the number of votes cast for eachcandidate; or
            (C) the vote cast for or against a public question;
        (7) accompany the inspector and judge in delivering thetabulation and election returns to the county election board bythe most direct route;
        (8) be present when the inspector takes a receipt for thetabulation and election returns delivered to the county electionboard; and
        (9) call upon the election sheriffs to make arrests.
As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.3-1987, SEC.38;P.L.3-1993, SEC.26; P.L.3-1997, SEC.48; P.L.221-2005, SEC.11.
IC 3-6-8-5
Blank certificates for vote summaries
    Sec. 5. The county election board shall provide blank certificatesfor the summaries required by section 4(6) of this chapter.
As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.2.

IC 3-6-8-6
Report of violations
    Sec. 6. A watcher appointed under this chapter shall report anyviolation of the election laws that comes to the watcher's attention tothe county grand jury or prosecuting attorney.
As added by P.L.5-1986, SEC.2.