Poll Knitters & Sitters Tue, Nov 3

How to sit?

Some helpful tips on how to pollknit

Before you go

  • Pick your spot in advance.Walk it earlier in the week if you can, and measure the buffer instead of guessing.
  • Bring a chair and something to knit.A project you can pick up and put down easily works better than one needing full attention.
  • Dress for the weather, not for attention.Nothing branded, nothing political, nothing that reads as a uniform.
  • Tell someone where you'll be.A friend, a family member — just so someone knows your plan for the day.
  • Charge your phone.For the hotline numbers, not for filming anyone.
  • Know your state's buffer distance before you sit down.Check the Where page and confirm it with your clerk.

While you're there

  • Stay outside the buffer the whole time.Unless you're voting, you must remain beyond the statutory distance.
  • Knit. Keep things neutral.Don't campaign/advocate for candidates or issues.
  • Don't approach voters.Let people come to you, not the other way around.
  • Don't hand anything to anyone.Not water, not a snack, definitely not a finished mitten.
  • If someone asks what you're doing, you can use the line:“I'm just here knitting.”
  • Stay as long or as short as you wish.You don't have to be there all day to make a difference.

Our principles for sitters

  • Sit, knit, and talk quietly among yourselves.
  • Do not discuss candidates, parties, or ballot measures where voters can hear.
  • Do not wear or display campaign material of any kind.
  • Do not hand anything to a voter, for any reason.
  • Be polite, calm, and supportive.
  • Do not livestream or post identifying photos of voters without asking first.
  • Do not block a sidewalk, doorway, or accessible path.
  • If a poll worker asks you to move, comply.
  • Do not argue with anyone about the buffer distance — check it, but don't debate it.
  • If you bring a pet, keep it on a short leash and out of the walking path.
  • Do not use bullhorns, Bluetooth speakers, or amplified sound of any kind.
  • If a reporter asks to talk to you, feel free, but don't speak for anyone else.
  • Assume you are being watched and behave as you'd wish to be seen.
  • When in doubt, deescalate, document, and leave if you want to.
If someone speaks to you

“I'm just here knitting.”

You don't need to defend the idea, argue about it, or say more than you want to. We are there to provide a calm and reassuring presence, not engage in conflict. If it stops feeling that way, it's always fine to pack up and leave.

Something is wrong and I need help now

Call this number if something happens that feels wrong: someone aggressive, someone trying to intimidate voters, anything that shouldn't be happening.

Don't confront, don't challenge, don't try to handle it yourself. Step back, call, document if you feel comfortable doing so, and let people whose job this is handle it.

If you're not comfortable, leave with no judgement.

What to expect

Most likely an uneventful day knitting. Uneventful is what a healthy democracy looks like.

Most sitters report a quiet few hours, a few friendly conversations, and nothing more dramatic than a dropped stitch.

To be clear: You are not a poll watcher

Poll watchers have a legal role, credentials, and specific rights and restrictions. You have none of that, and you shouldn't act like you do. You're a friendly neighbor with a chair and a ball of yarn.