Louisiana-sealThere’s been a lot of loose talk about voter fraud over the past year, much of it was part of a disinformation campaign designed to justify voter suppression legislation in various battleground states.

The ‘phantom voter’ form of vote fraud Republicans routinely accuse Democrats of practicing, it turns out, is very rare. Republicans, it seems, prefer voter registration fraud. ‘Trust but verify’ is the best course in any election and Louisiana law provides candidates and campaigns the tools to do so.

Poll watchers can be an effective tool campaigns can use to ensure the integrity of the election process.

According to the Louisiana Secretary of State’s office, each candidate is entitled to have one watcher at every precinct where the office he seeks is on the ballot in a primary or general election.

In addition to watchers and alternate watchers per precinct, each candidate may designate one watcher as a “Super Watcher” who can be admitted in every precinct in the candidate’s election at the same time as either the watcher or alternate watcher who is serving for the candidate.

The department has a pamphlet in PDF form on poll watchers that you can get by clicking here.

If you’re a candidate who wants to have poll watchers, you have until 10 days before the election date to submit your list of watchers to your parish clerk of courts. If you’re a citizen who wants to ensure the integrity of the election process, tell your favorite candidate or campaign manager about this process. Who knows, maybe you’ll end up organizing your own crew on behalf of that campaign.

One thing is clear: You have the power to protect the right that defines citizenship. Why not get involved?

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Originally published: Oct 9, 2012