Recount Observers 2021 General

Under Section 1404(g)(4) of the Election Code (25 P.S. § 3154(g)(4)) observers may be appointed as follows:

• Any candidate for Commonwealth Court may appoint themselves or Pennsylvania-licensed attorneys representing said candidate as Observers for the recount.
• The Democratic Party and Republican Party may appoint qualified electors of Philadelphia or Pennsylvania-licensed attorneys representing said party as Observers for the recount.

Observer certificates for the Recount will be issued as follows:

• Those entitled to appoint Observers must email vote@phila.gov with the name of each appointed Observer, the Observer’s address, and—if the Observer is their attorney—their PA Bar number.
• Due to security restrictions, Observer requests must be received by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, November 16, 2021. Late requests will be accepted on a rolling basis and processed within two business days.

Observers must be approved by the Board and pass a security and health screening in order to be admitted to the Recount. Observers must wear a face mask and comply with other safety guidelines at all times. Observers must remain within the physical area designated for Observers behind the railing. One Observer per candidate for Commonwealth Court (inclusive of the candidate themself) and two Observers per party shall be permitted to be present at any one time. Observers may not disrupt or interfere with Board staff completing the Recount. Observers shall not be permitted to take photographs, video, and audio recordings, or use cell phones inside the observation area during the Recount. A designated area will be provided for pictures, video, and cell phone use. Violators will be removed and have their Observer eligibility revoked.