Policing the polling place.

• Author: Underhill, Wendy
• Position: TRENDS - Brief article

Fraud at polling places: Some see it, many don't.

The issue of fraud has emerged in recent months, along with the suggestion that poll watchers should be on hand to observe activities on Election Day to help prevent illegal voting, fraudulent ballot counting and other election law violations. Poll watchers from political parties will be there, too, mainly to track who has not yet voted, so the campaign can get out the vote.

Who's qualified to be a poll watcher depends on the state. Poll watchers are usually required to be registered voters, but states differ on whether the observers must be registered in the county or precinct rather than just in the state. States also differ on the number of poll watchers permitted from one party or campaign, and on training requirements. Here are some highlights from NCSL's research:

* Kansas requires poll watchers to be registered voters unless the poll watcher is a member of the candidate's family, or if the poll watcher is 14 to 17 years old and meets all other requirements for being a registered voter except for age.

* Louisiana allows candidates to appoint one poll watcher per precinct, but...