2024 Poll Cat 

Election Protection 

A Collaboration with Common CauseMinnesota

Background 

• Common Cause Minnesota is organizing an Election Protection Program (non-partisan) to ensure every eligible  voter can cast their ballot on Election Day
  • They are mobilizing volunteers to be Poll Monitors.
  • Wear T-Shirts with National Hotline Phone Number 
  • Poll Monitors must stay at least 100 feet from Poll entrances
  • Assist with voter questions 
  • Report long/slow lines, voter intimidation, problems inside the polls  reported by exiting voters, electioneering within 100 ft zone, etc. 
• Poll Cat riders can act as Roving Poll Monitors and assist as they feel comfortable
  • Say Hi to a T-shirted Poll Watcher 
  • Observe situation at polling places 
  • Call National Hotline 1-866-OUR-VOTE with concerns

Scoring is based on number of polls  visited, miles ridden and riding time 

1. Formula: Score= (number of polls visited) + (miles/10) + (riding time in minutes/60) + (Bonus pts) 

2. Visit any Polling Place designated by the MN Secretary of State. Subsequent visits to the same poll can be  counted if 15 minutes has elapsed since last visit OR another poll has been visited between the two visits. 

3. Document each visit to a poll with a time stamped photo. 

4. Riding time and distance can be documented in an app like Strava or a photo of your bike’s computer  display. If you don’t have an app or bike computer you can estimate your distance with Google Maps. 

5. Polls hours are 7:00 am to 8:00 pm. Visits to polls can begin 30 minutes before opening and end when polls  close. If a poll has to stay open late because of a line, be sure to include a time stamped photo of the line. 

6. Riding time does not have to be continuous. For example, if you ride to your poll seven times during the  day and make Zoom calls in between. If it takes you 15 minutes to make the 3 mile round trip. Your score  would be10.7 (7 visits + 2.1 (21 miles/10) + 1.6 (75 minutes /60). 

7. If one of your visits includes voting, you may keep the clock running during voting. 

8. The Scoring System may be amended at any time by email. For example, bonus points may be awarded for  visiting specific polls designated by Common Cause or in a specific time period. 

9. Geographic area is limited to the 7 county metro areas. 

10. Grand prize includes all due Glory and Honor, and a growler of your favorite beverage from Third Act  Brewery in Woodbury. You must arrange a pickup with organizers.

Rules 

• Riders are responsible for themselves and their actions • Voting is sacred to our democracy. Conduct yourselves  accordingly 

• You are responsible for finding polling places 

• All types of bikes are permitted 

• If you ride with others, each rider keeps their own score.  (Honor System) Top 5 scorers will be asked for evidence • Time and distance can include from where you park your  

bike to the first poll and from the last poll to where you park  your bike 

• Scores must be submitted online by 11:59 pm election night • Be safe and have fun

Roving Poll Monitor 

• National Hotline 1-866-OUR-VOTE 

• Concerns to report (make sure you know your poll  address before calling) 

• Electioneering within 100 ft of poll entrance • Extreme lines 

• Reports of broken machines 

• Voter intimidation or harassment 

• Presence of police and/or vehicles with out-of-state or  no plates 

• Polls opening late/closing early 

• Voters with questions