
Watchers may observe election activities at Arapahoe County Voter Service and Polling Centers and at our Elections Facility where ballots are processed.
To be a watcher, you must be registered to vote in Colorado and formally appointed by an authorized individual or entity. Please note: Candidates and family members of candidates (by blood, marriage or civil union) are not permitted to be watchers for that candidate.
For the 2020 General Election: Pursuant to Election Rule 27 (8 CCR 1505-1): Watchers must follow state and county public health guidelines when observing a VSPC or the Elections Facility. Watchers must wear a mask where election activities are taking place and maintain strict social distancing guidelines with a minimum of six feet between each person wherever possible. Watchers must have their temperature taken when they report to any location. Anyone experiencing COVID-19 symptoms while at a VSPC or location where other election activities are occurring must immediately report that to an appropriate county official and leave the location.
Who Can Appoint Watchers
Under State law, certain individuals and entities are entitled to appoint watchers, depending on the type of the election. (See Colorado Revised Statutes for more information.)
- Primary Elections: (C.R.S. 1-7-105)
- Political party candidates (candidate)
- The chairperson of the county committee for a political party participating in the primary election may appoint watchers who are either affiliated with that party or unaffiliated.
- General (Even-Year) Elections: (C.R.S. 1-7-106)
- A major or minor political party with a candidate on the ballot (watchers must be affiliated with their political party or unaffiliated.)
- An unaffiliated candidate on the ballot (watchers must be unaffiliated.)
- A registered issue committee for or against an issue on the ballot
- A write-in candidate.
- Coordinated (Odd-Year) Elections: (C.R.S. 1-7-107)
- Candidates for office
- Proponents and opponents of ballot issues
How to Appoint Watchers
- A party chairperson, authorized official, issue committee, or candidate should download Arapahoe County's Watcher Appointment Spreadsheet (Excel) and Certificate of Appointment Template.
- Complete this spreadsheet with the names of the poll watchers that you wish to appoint for the upcoming election. Appointments are valid for one calendar year only. Complete the template with the appointing authority’s information and signature.
- Return both the spreadsheet and template via email to watchers@arapahoegov.com at least one business day before the watcher plans to observe a Voting Service and Polling Center (VSPC) or Election Facility To the extent possible, please submit names by the close of business on the Friday immediately preceding the election for Election Day watchers.
- We will verify the voter registration for each poll watcher name, create a Certificate of Appointment and Oath of Watcher for each qualified name, and return the certificates to you via email. Please watch your email for these certificates.
- If you did not include a signature on the template,you must print and sign the Appointment of Watcher as the certifying individual.
- You may then distribute each certificate to the respective poll watcher.
- The watcher must print the and bring the certificate with them to the VSPC or Election Facility where they plan to observe. (Only one copy is needed; the poll watcher does need to surrender his/her certificate at the location.) They will sign the Oath at the VSPC or Election Facility witnessed by the election official checking them in.

Watcher Training
Individuals interested in serving as a watcher are strongly encouraged to complete the Colorado Secretary of State's online Watcher Training Course before being appointed.
This course is required under Colorado Election Rules in order for a watcher to observe activities where voters’ confidential or personally identifying information is within view. This includes viewing the voter registration system, or any other paper or electronic documentation that shows a voter’s signature, date of birth, driver’s license number or Social Security Number.
What to Bring as a Watcher
Bring the Certificate of Appointment/Oath of Watcher and a copy of your Certificate of Watcher Training Completion (if applicable) with you to the polling location or election facility where you plan to observe. One copy of each is sufficient. You do not need to surrender these certificates.
Remember to sign the Certificate of Appointment/Oath of Watcher. at the location when you check in with the elections official.
If you leave a location but return to the same location, you do not need to present another Certificate of Appointment. However, the Certificate of Appointment is not transferable to another person.