18 Tri-Cities area residents could be paid to observe election to boost voter confidence

Benton County is offering to pay up to 18 observers of the Aug. 2 primary election to help build confidence in the fairness of its election process.

It has invited the Benton County Republican Party, the Benton County Democratic Party and the League of Women Voters of Benton and Franklin Counties, as a nonpartisan group, to sign up six members each for the program.

“There are some out there that have concerns about the way elections are run, and a lot of it is misinformation,” said Benton County Auditor Brenda Chilton.

Having observers present during ballot processing is important and they have always been welcome, Chilton said. Her office notifies major political parties of how and when they can observe elections, as is required by Washington state law.

“But traditionally we have not had a lot of success in having regular observers,” she said. “People work. They have jobs.”

To increase participation, the county has launched a pilot program for the 2022 primary and general elections that will offer stipends to up to 18 observers.

The stated goals are to “provide an independent observation and maintain confidence in the accuracy and integrity of the election process.”

The idea came from a Pierce County program, Chilton said. Observers she talked to there spoke highly of it.

Chilton has previously heard from people who said that they’d like to observe Benton County election processing, but they can’t afford to take time off of work. And with gas prices, the paid program could allow some people outside the Tri-Cities, such as in Prosser, to more easily participate.

Restrictions for observers

The paid observers in Benton County will be required to attend training, wear a badge while observing and follow rules.

They must remain outside the caged portion of the tabulation area.

They will not be permitted to talk or touch employees while work is in progress. They also are not allowed to touch ballots or equipment.

They will not be allowed to have conversations about election campaigns or political conversations or distribute materials.

Cell phones will not be allowed inside the ballot processing center, and observers may not take notes, photos, videos or audio recordings. Any concerns may be logged on a designated clip board.

Carrying guns or other weapons in voting centers is prohibited by a new Washington state law.

Benton County is offering to pay a coordinator from each of the three invited groups $250 per election.

Shifts for observers will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with $50 paid for the day or $25 for a four-hour shift.

Election center moves again

Benton County ballots likely will be mailed Wednesday July 13 and election workers could start opening ballots Monday July 25, said Amanda Hatfield, Benton County elections manager.

Anybody is welcome to observe, but people are advised to call the election office first at 509-736-2727 to make sure work is scheduled.

The election center is at 2618 N. Columbia Center Blvd., Richland, next door to its previous location.

Benton County has set up a contact center for the public at the front of the new location, and the ballot processing area has been outfitted with a key card system, cameras and an observation deck to allow the public to watch ballot processing.

The Benton County auditor is working on other ways to provide information about election integrity, in addition to the paid observer pilot program.

Her office will be posting short educational videos on its YouTube channel. It also held an open house in conjunction with candidate training and offered tours of its ballot processing center.

The Benton County Auditor’s Office also livestreams ballot processing and ballot scanning online. Find links at bentonauditor.com/Current-Election.

This story was originally published July 8, 2022 at 3:52 PM.