Volunteer NonPartisan Poll Challenger Project

In partnership with Promote the Vote and MI Voices Election Protection Program, the Voters Ed Fund is participating in Nonpartisan Poll Challenger and volunteer recruitment for the August and November 2024 elections.

We are committed to recruiting and training volunteers to protect voters’ rights and help keep Michigan’s elections safe, free, fair, and transparent.

Voters Ed Fund is recruiting Nonpartisan Poll Challengers to monitor election administrators and poll workers, and advocate for voters at risk of voter disenfranchisement at the polls.

*If you are planning to serve as an election poll worker in November, you are still eligible to serve as a Nonpartisan Poll Challenger during the early voting period.

Illustration of a man and woman voting
Sign Up to Recieve Virtual Poll Challenger Training

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do we need nonpartisan poll challengers?

Nonpartisan poll challengers play a crucial role in protecting voters from being disenfranchised at their polling place by…

  • Being the voter’s advocate. A nonpartisan poll challenger’s only priority is protecting the rights of the individual voter – not the party or candidates on the ballot.
  • Monitoring the election process at polling locations, satellite offices, and absent voter counting boards.
  • Raising an official objection, called a “challenge,” if the challenger does not believe that the poll worker is following Michigan’s election law.

What's the difference between a Poll Challenger and a Poll Watcher?

Poll Challenger: someone who observes the election process and can make challenges; challengers are credentialed and must be registered to vote in Michigan

Poll Watcher: someone who observes the election process but cannot make challenges; poll watchers are not credentialed and need not to be registered to vote in Michigan

What are the requirements to become a Poll Challenger?

  • Must be a registered voter in the State of Michigan
  • May not be a candidate for any elective office in the election
  • May serve in any precinct or absent voter counting board in the state
  • Must carry a credential issued by the appointing group or organization

What are the expectations for volunteer Poll Challengers?

  • Committed to nonpartisan volunteerism while serving as a poll challenger.
  • Interested in learning about voting rights and how to protect voters from being disenfranchised.
  • Complete training and assessment before Election Day (appx. 2 hours of time)
  • Available on Election Day or during the Early Voting period – We encourage volunteers to be available the entire day, but shorter shifts will be available for those with work and family obligations.