Prior to each election, the Department invites representatives from campaigns, political parties, the Civil Grand Jury, the League of Women Voters, other committees and organizations, members of the media, and interested members of the public to join the Official Observer Panel.

The Department hosts an introductory meeting approximately one month before each election to provide an opportunity for panelists to learn about the Department, learn more about the observation process, and learn about mechanisms for providing feedback to the Department on election processes and procedures.

To serve on the Official Observer Panel, please complete and submit the Observer Panel Application (PDF). Once we receive your application, we will send you more information and an official invitation to join the Panel.

Before each election, the Department prepares a schedule to show when, where, and how members of the public can observe specific election activities.

Following is a schedule of observable activities for the June 5, 2018 election.

Calendar of Observable Activities
June 5, 2018, Consolidated Statewide Direct Primary Election

Before Election Day
Activity	Details	Time	Location
Ballot Measure Letter Designation	The Department of Elections designates letters for local ballot measures Due to technical difficulties, the recording is not available.	March 12, 11 a.m.	City Hall, Rm 48
Selection of Proponents’ and Opponents’ Arguments	If the Department receives more than one proponent or opponent argument for a measure, the Department will select one proponent and one opponent argument according to priority levels and, if necessary, by lottery  Recording from camera 1 (with audio)  Recording from camera 2 (no audio)	March 15, 2 p.m.	City Hall, Rm 48
Voter Outreach Presentations	Contact Matthew Selby (415) 554-4376 for details, time, and location
Logic and Accuracy Testing
	Optech 400-C machines Event has concluded	April 27, 2018 8 a.m - 5 p.m	City Hall, Rm 48
	Optech Insight machines Event has concluded	April 30 – May 8 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.	Pier 48, Shed B
	AVC Edge II machines Event has concluded	May 10 – 18 8 a.m. – 5 p.m	Pier 48, Shed B
Poll Worker & Field Support Training	Contact Matthew Selby (415) 554-4376 for details, time, and location
Voting Center	Any voter may vote at the City Hall Voting Center beginning 29 days before the election	May 7 – June 4, Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. May 26 – 27 and June 2 - 3, 10 a.m.– 4 p.m.	City Hall, ground floor
Open House	During the Open House, attendees are invited to tour the Department’s office and learn about processes that take place before, on, and after Election Day in support of the election	TBD	City Hall, Rm 48
Vote-by-Mail Ballot Processing
	Sorting, scanning, and verifying signatures on the vote-by-mail envelopes in preparation for ballot counting	As early as April 23, after transmission of ballots to military and overseas voters, until complete	City Hall, Rm 48
	Opening of vote-by-mail ballot envelopes, ballot extraction, ballot counting in preparation for tabulation	May 21 until complete	City Hall, Rm 48
	For activity on a specific day, contact Matthew Selby (415) 554-4376
Processing and Tabulation	These include vote-by-mail ballots that voters dropped off at the polling places or the City Hall drop-off stations, or that the Department received in the mail within three days of Election Day; vote-by-mail ballots that were remedied by voters within eight days of the election; provisional ballots; ballots with write-in votes; and votes cast on the Edge accessible voting machines	Continues until all ballots have been counted and the results are certified	City Hall, Rm 48
Ballot Remake	When ballots are torn, bent, folded, dirty, damp, or otherwise damaged and unreadable, the Department remakes these ballots	May 22 until complete(remake of faxed ballots may begin as early as May 14)	City Hall, Rm 48
Mock Election Day Support Center	The practice of logging and resolving inquiries and issues in a simulated environment similar to Election Day	June 2, 3:30 p.m.– 5:30 p.m.	Rm adjacent to the City Hall café

On Election Day
Activity	Details	Time	Location
Voting Center/ Polling Places	Check sfelections.org for polling place locations	Voting Center and polls are open from 7 a.m.– 8 p.m. on Election Day	City-wide
Election Day Support Center	Provides support to poll workers and dispatches in-person assistance to polling places when needed.	5:30 a.m. to approximately midnight	Rm adjacent to City Hall café
Processing Center	Receives voted ballots, rosters and other materials from polling places	Begins after 8 p.m. and continues until all polling place materials have been received	Warehouse at Pier 48
Data Collection Center	Receives memory and results cartridges from polling places	Begins after 8 p.m. and continues until all polling place memory devices have been received	City Hall, McAllister St. entrance
Election Night Results Reporting	Results are displayed on a large monitor on Election Night. Results are also available at: sfelections.org, San Francisco Government Television – SFGTV, Channel 26, Department’s Office	First preliminary results released at approximately 8:45 p.m. with updates released at approximately 9:45 p.m. and 10:45 p.m.	City Hall, North Light Court

After Election Day
Activity	Details	Time	Location
Processing and Tabulation	These include vote-by-mail ballots that voters dropped off at the polling places or the City Hall drop-off stations, or that the Department received in the mail within three days of Election Day; vote-by-mail ballots that were remedied by voters within eight days of the election; provisional ballots; ballots with write-in votes; and votes cast on the Edge accessible voting machines	Continues until all ballots have been counted and the results are certified	City Hall, Rm 48
	For activity on a specific day, contact Matthew Selby (415) 554-4376
Results Reporting after Election Night	The Department posts updated results online on any day ballots are tabulated	Daily at approximately 4 p.m.	sfelections.org
Canvass	An internal audit of the election to ensure the accuracy of results	June 6, 10 a.m.–7 p.m. beginning June 7, 8 a.m.– 5 p.m. daily except Sundays and holidays	Warehouse at Pier 48
1% Manual Tally	Random selection of precincts for manual tally	June 14, 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.	City Hall, Rm 48