§ 3-412. Election inspectors and poll clerks; training. 1. Each board
of elections shall, at least once every year, conduct a mandatory school
for the instruction of election inspectors, poll clerks and election
coordinators. Such instruction may be given in person or online at
various times throughout the year, provided that online instruction
shall be offered over a two week period that includes the date for
in-person instruction. Such training shall be offered no less frequently
than on a quarterly basis. Certain online participants may be required
to supplement online instruction with in-person instruction that
includes the use of voting machines or other matters requiring
specialized training. Written notice shall be given to participants
stating the time and place at which such in-person instruction shall be
held, the option to obtain instruction online with direction on how to
access the online option, and identifying the participants that must
attend in-person instruction in addition to online instruction.

1-a. The state board of elections shall establish a mandatory core
curriculum for poll worker training which includes the requirements in
subdivision two of this section, and the rights of voters at the polls
and obligation of election workers to protect those rights while
maintaining the integrity of the franchise, including assisting voters
with disabilities or with limited or no proficiency in the English
language, handling, processing and entitlement to ballots, including
affidavit and emergency ballots, proper identification requirements,
procedures to be followed with respect to voters whose names are not on
the list of registered voters or whose identities have not been
verified, electioneering and other violations of the elective franchise
as defined in this chapter, solicitation by individuals and groups at
the polling place and procedures to be followed after the polls close.
Each board of elections shall augment the core curriculum with local
procedures not inconsistent with the core curriculum adopted by the
state board of elections and which includes procedures relating to
proper operation of, and remedying problems with, the voting machine or
system in use in that jurisdiction.

1-b. The state board of elections shall establish and host an
education and training institute which shall be responsible for the
development and implementation of a statewide program wherein persons
can become certified poll worker trainers. This institute shall also
create a train-the-trainer program, in order for county boards of
elections to implement an effective training program at their respective
local level of program delivery. The state board's trainers shall
include in the trainer curriculum to be developed, attention to, inter
alia, poll worker ability to serve a diverse electorate with complete
confidence and respect; professionalizing the delivery of all election
day services; providing assistance to voters with disabilities and those
with limited English language proficiency, ensuring the dignity and
privacy of such individuals; and to individuals who are members of
racial or ethnic minorities, complete familiarity and comfort with all
voting systems in use in poll sites, including ballot marking devices or
other systems/services available to voters with disabilities; and poll
worker ability to recognize and resolve a variety of issues which may
arise in poll sites. The state board's trainers and all certified poll
worker instructors shall utilize industry-proven training techniques
aimed at adult learners including role-based training and hands-on
training opportunities using official election day forms and poll site
voting systems and may further include a web-based component and
companion video.

1-c. County boards shall enroll trainers in the program in such
quantities to ensure that an adequate contingent of fully trained and
certified poll worker trainers are available to meet the training needs
of such county. Each county board of elections shall enroll not less
than two persons designated by the county board on a bipartisan basis,
in the state board of elections training institute. Certified trainers
must maintain their certification by attending once every two years, a
continuing education program, to ensure the professionalism of the poll
worker training agenda set by the state board of elections. Enrollees
who have successfully completed the state board's training program and
been awarded a "certified poll worker instructor" certificate may serve
at the county board as a trainer of poll workers as well as a trainer of
other bi-partisan designees of the county board, however the conferring
of the title "certified poll worker instructor" may be made only by the
state board of elections.

1-d. The state board of elections shall adopt such rules and
regulations which may be necessary to create the training institute and
associated curricula provided for in subdivisions one-a, one-b and one-c
of this section, including a process whereby attendees who successfully
complete a state board-sponsored training program shall be awarded a
certificate conferring upon him or her, the title of "certified poll
worker instructor".

2. Election inspectors, poll clerks and election coordinators shall be
instructed concerning, but not limited to, the following topics: the
election law and any relevant statutory updates, the taking of
registrations, the use of voting machines, disability etiquette,
affidavit and emergency voting processes, use of electronic poll books,
providing assistance to voters with limited English language proficiency
and their duties in connection therewith as soon as possible after their
designation.

3. Election inspectors, poll clerks and election coordinators as
required by this section shall, upon their original designation, and
every year thereafter, complete a course of instruction, and, before
certification, pass an examination thereon. Such examination shall be
given both online and in person, provided that those participants whose
instructions include the use of voting machines or other matters
requiring specialized training may be required to pass an examination on
such matters in person. The state board of elections shall supply each
board of elections with instructional material to be used in the
preparation for such examinations and shall give each such board of
elections uniform directions for the conduct of such examinations, which
it shall be the duty of the board to follow. Every such board may
utilize additional materials selected by it in the course of
instruction. No person taking such examination shall be permitted to
know the questions or answers in advance or be given access to the
answers during the examination. If such inspectors, poll clerks or
coordinators pass such examination, the board of elections shall certify
the designated election inspector, poll clerk or coordinator.

4. The county board of elections shall within two weeks notify those
who have passed the examination, that they are certified to serve.

5. Each board of elections shall reproduce a booklet of instructions
for participants prepared by the state board of elections. A copy of
such booklet, or digital version, shall be given to each participant at
the time such participant attends the course of instruction. At least
one copy of such booklet shall be included with the supplies sent to
each election district for each election and day of local registration.