(1) In each counting location, watchers may be appointed to be present and observe the counting of ballots. Each political party shall be entitled to one watcher at each location appointed and supplied with credentials by the county central committee of such political party. The district court having jurisdiction over any such county may appoint additional watchers for any location.

Terms Used In Nebraska Statutes 32-1013

  • Candidate: shall mean a registered voter for whom votes may be cast at any election and who, either tacitly or expressly, consents to be considered. See Nebraska Statutes 32-104
  • District: shall mean a subdivision of the state or of a county, city, village, or other political subdivision in which all registered voters residing within the district are entitled to participate in the election of any one or more candidates or in the determination by election of any question or proposition. See Nebraska Statutes 32-107
  • Election: shall mean any statewide or local primary, special, joint, or general election at which registered voters of the state or the political subdivision holding the election by ballot choose public officials or decide any questions and propositions lawfully submitted to them. See Nebraska Statutes 32-108
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • Swear: shall include affirm. See Nebraska Statutes 32-119

(2) The watchers and the members of the counting board shall take the following oath administered by the election commissioner or county clerk or an election official designated by the election commissioner or county clerk: I do solemnly swear that I will not in any manner make known to anyone other than duly authorized election officials the results of the votes as they are being counted until the polls have officially closed and the summary of votes cast is delivered to the election commissioner or county clerk.

(3) Except for polling places using precinct-based optical scanners, all other persons shall be excluded from the place where the counting is being conducted except for observers authorized by the election commissioner or county clerk. No such observer shall be connected with any candidate, political party, or measure on the ballot.