FAYETTEVILLE -- Exit pollsters will have to stay outside the building where voters are casting ballots in this year's elections.
The move is preemptive to keep pollsters from interfering with or influencing voters as they cast ballots, said Bill Ackerman, Washington County Election Commission chairman, about the new policy.
"It's our responsibility as a commission to protect our voters and their ability to have a stress-free environment," Ackerman said.
Commissioners expect a large voter turnout during the November election, and the change will help keep the process running smoothly, commissioners said during a meeting Wednesday.
Exit poll workers ask voters for whom they voted immediately after they leave polling stations. Exit polling allows organizations and others to get an idea of how the election is going before the commission tallies the unofficial voting results, said Jennifer Price, election coordinator.
Exit pollsters previously have been allowed inside buildings where votes are taking place in Washington County, Price said. The policy change is related to an incident in Benton County where a poll watcher also acted as an exit poll worker, she said.
Washington County hasn't had any incidents where staff or commissioners felt exit pollsters acted inappropriately, Price said. Ackerman said there have been minor annoyances at one or two voting places in Washington County, but nothing that caused concern.
Commissioners said Wednesday they could see a problem arising from pollsters, including reporters, asking questions where other voters could overhear. Those questions and answers could influence voters or be distracting, commissioners said.
Under the new policy, exit pollsters will be allowed up to, but not inside, the door here voting is held, Price said. There will be a designated area inside to allow news media to gather photos, video and ask questions, Price said.
The commission already is making a lot of changes -- particularly by moving to voting centers, said Renee Oelschlaeger, a Republican commissioner. Even the commission itself is changing. Oelschlaeger stepped down as chairman Wednesday, and Ackerman, another Republican, became chairman.
The new policy will go along with changes the commission is making to the voting process, Oelschlaeger said.
Commissioners also plan to look into asking exit pollsters to notify the commission when they intend to be on site and presenting credentials showing what organization they are with. Those ideas will be vetted by the county attorney, commissioners said.
NW News on 01/09/2016