Poll watchers have become a central focus in the closing days of the 2024 election as more counties have reported vandalism against voting infrastructure and activists have raised concerns over how elections are managed and operated.

Poll watcher responsibilities and roles vary state by state. In some states, such as Pennsylvania, counties may set limitations for what poll watchers can do in public spaces where ballot drop boxes are located, such as disallowing observers from standing within 10 feet of a drop box. Elsewhere, such as in the battleground state of Georgia, rules allow up to two poll watchers per precinct to stand within 6 feet of the area around voting stations. A recent rule change was intended to expand the number of designated locations where poll watchers could observe the process, but that rule was permanently blocked in court on Oct. 16.