There has been much discussion about whether votes in this next election will be counted securely.
Every state has rules about what poll observers can do at the polls and how votes can be challenged. Here are the rules for your state:
New York At any general, special, town or village election, any party committee or independent body whose candidates are upon the ballot, and at any primary election, any two or more candidates and any political committee may have for each election district three watchers at any one time, not more than one of whom may be within the guard rail at any one time. Watchers shall be appointed by the chairman of any such party, committee or independent body or by the candidates. Each watcher must be a qualified voter of the city or county in which he is to serve No person shall be appointed or act as a watcher who is a candidate for any public office to be voted for by the voters of the election district in the same election in which the watcher is to serve. (N.Y. Election Law § 8-500).
Before his vote is cast, any person may be challenged by any registered voter properly in the polling place, watcher, or clerk or inspector of election. An inspector shall challenge every person offering to vote, who he shall know or suspect is not entitled to vote in the district, and every person whose name appears on the list of persons to be challenged on Election Day which is furnished by the board of elections. (N.Y. Election Law § 8-502)