Registrar of Voters

About Observation

Washoe County provides public observation opportunities so members of the community can view election operations firsthand and better understand how elections are conducted.

Observation is available at multiple stages of the election process, including voting at Vote Centers, ballot processing and tabulation at the Central Counting Place, and Logic and Accuracy Testing of voting equipment. Designated observation areas allow for meaningful observation while protecting voter privacy, ballot confidentiality, and the orderly administration of elections.

All observers must sign the applicable observer acknowledgment form, remain within designated observation areas, and comply with instructions from election officials. Observers are prohibited from using mobile phones or computers, engaging in political advocacy, or interfering with election operations. Observers at Vote Centers and the Central Counting Place must also wear a name tag displaying their full name. Individuals who violate applicable election laws or observation requirements may be removed. The number of observers may also be limited for public safety, voter privacy, or maintaining order.

Observers may direct brief operational questions to the Elections Public Information Officer or Vote Center Manager where permitted, provided doing so does not disrupt election activities. Detailed procedural or operational questions must be submitted through an Observation Question Form. Responses will be posted online and emailed if contact information is provided.

Vote Center Observation

Public observation is available at all Vote Centers during Early Voting and on Election Day. Observation is available throughout voting hours, including closing procedures at the end of operations.

Vote Center observation allows members of the public to observe voter check-in, ballot issuance, the use of voting equipment, ballot scanning, and other general voting activities. Observers may not speak with voters, argue with or challenge decisions made by election personnel, view confidential voter information or ballot selections, or listen to conversations between voters and election officials. Observers may remain in designated areas after polls close to observe closing procedures, provided they do not interfere.

• View the Polling Place Observer Acknowledgement Form (EL-B07-25)

Central Counting Place Observation

Observation at the Central Counting Place begins prior to Election Day once mail ballot processing operations commence and continues daily until the Canvass of the Vote. A 24/7 livestream is also available on the County's YouTube channel. Recordings of livestream footage may be requested through a public records request and are subject to applicable storage device fees.

The Central Counting Place is where mail ballots are received, signature verification is conducted, ballots are prepared for counting, ballots are scanned, and election results are tabulated. Depending on the stage of the election cycle, observers may also view ballot sorting, duplication, adjudication, auditing, and other ballot processing activities.

Observers may not speak with election personnel other than the Registrar of Voters or designated representatives, including the Elections Public Information Officer. Observers must respect the confidentiality of voter information and may not publicly disclose information relating to the count of early voting returns before polls close.

Washoe County-Specific: Photography is permitted within the Central Counting Place, provided it does not interfere with election operations or compromise confidential voter information. Food is prohibited within the designated observation area.

• Learn about the Life of a Mail Ballot

• View the Processing and Counting of Ballots Observer Acknowledgement Form (EL-B10-25)

Logic and Accuracy Testing Observation

Logic and Accuracy Testing takes place during the period beginning not earlier than two weeks before and ending not later than 5 p.m. on the day before the first day of Early Voting. Additional post-election testing is conducted following the election to verify continued tabulation accuracy.

Logic and Accuracy Testing allows members of the public to observe the testing and verification of voting equipment, including ballot scanners, tabulation systems, and accessible voting devices. Testing involves processing ballots through voting equipment and comparing tabulated results against predetermined expected totals to verify accuracy before and after the election.

Observers are prohibited from speaking with county election personnel, taking photographs within designated observation areas, or arguing with or challenging decisions made by election personnel. Questions regarding testing procedures or equipment verification must be submitted through an Observation Question Form.

• View the Logic and Accuracy Test Observer Acknowledgement Form (EL-B09-25)