How Spokane's election observers protect ballot boxes

SPOKANE, Wash. -- With multiple races across the Inland Northwest this year, election offices have started their routine training of observers to ensure the protection of ballot boxes.

Concerns over election security and mail-in ballots have been a major topic over the last few years. One viewer asked 4 News Now to reassure voters their ballots are being handled honestly.

Election observers are in charge of keeping an eye on the election process and making sure everything runs fairly.

Each state has different training protocols and rules for their election observers.

In Washington, observers are appointed through political parties, campaigns and candidates. They are trained not to interfere with the election process, but to supervise it every step of the way, from when centers open to how votes are counted.

In Spokane, there are close to 200 trained election observers for the November election. Observers are assigned to the Republican Party, Democratic Party or drop boxes.

Eight observers are in a facility at once for roughly two-hour shifts at a time: 3 Republican, 3 Democrat and 2 appointed by candidates and campaigns.

Sally Philips and her husband will be Democratic Party observers this fall, for their second year.

Philips said she became an observer because she was curious about what makes the election process safe and reliable.

"I think a lot of people don't realize how much verification there is of the signature, and how carefully the people are processing the ballots and counting them at each step," said Philips.

Gloria Higgins, a Republican Party observer, said the role helped grow her confidence in the election process.

"I have gotten more faith in my system, because I don't think I had as much before," said Higgins.

Philips said she believes if more people saw the process up close and personal, it would help with growing mistrust in elections.

"It would allay their fears," said Philips. "The people who run the elections are really very careful."

The Spokane Elections Office said it has seen an increase in people volunteering to be observers in the last few years.

If you are interested in becoming an observer, keep in mind, the position runs during traditional work hours.

For more information or to sign up, contact the Democratic and Republican Parties.

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