8-500 - Watchers; provision for. - New York Statutes

§ 8-500. Watchers; provision for. 1. At any general, special, town or village election, any party committee or independent body whose candidates are upon the ballot, and at any primary election, any two or more candidates and any political committee may have for each election district three watchers at any one time, not more than one of whom may be within the guard rail at any one time. Watchers shall be appointed by the chairman of any such party, committee or independent body or by the candidates. 2. Watchers may be present at the polling place at least fifteen minutes before the unlocking and examination of any voting machine or ballot box at the opening of the polls, until after the signing of the inspectors' returns and proclamation of the result. 3. The appointment of watchers for any election shall be by a certificate in writing issued by the chairman or secretary of the political party or independent body, or the candidates. Such certificate shall be delivered to an inspector at the election district. 4. Each watcher must be a qualified voter of the city or county in which he is to serve.