The GOP group created its own training manual specifically for "The Poll Challenger Training", replete with false instructions. Some of the problems in the Republican training manual (from which the trainer read word for word) include:

• the claim that people who have changed their addresses must show a physical ID (1) and their address must match: • At the request of two or more precinct board members of different political parties, a voter shall still present the required physical form of identification." • A false claim that, "The police are supposed to be the ones who ensure that the election is legit." • The trainer did not know that the voter can give their birth year in the verbal ID at the polls • The trainer said that a person who changed their address but stayed within their same voting precinct should receive a provisional ballot. • The trainer claims that interpreters are not provided to non-English speakers and then is unsure if polling places will provide Spanish-language ballots. FACT: Assistance for people in language minorities is provided, as are Spanish-language ballots. • The trainer mistakenly claims that people who have changed their addresses must show a physical ID and their address must match.



In reality, very few people will have to show ID. It will be noted on the voter roll if they must show physical ID. It does not have to be a picture ID or match the voter registration address. All other voters may give a verbal ID, or write it down if they prefer.

The article sums up the problem the erroneous training could cause:



Throughout the training the Republican Party representative shows an insensitivity to language minorities and disabled citizens and displays a concerning lack of knowledge regarding New Mexico's voting regulations - this lack of knowledge could have a harmful effect on Election Day when the people who attended these trainings begin trying to challenge votes at the polls. If the attendees of these trainings - and trainings likes these that have occurred or will occur - attempt to challenge votes because of what they learned, it could lead to many problems at the polls and has the potential to disenfranchise voters who have a legal, legitimate right to exercise their civic duty on Election Day.

“We’re simply saying that we’re going to start, we’re going to take it back it into our hands,” said Pearce. “We should check for ID since you have to show an ID to do anything in America.” He did, however, admit that doing so would be against the law. “It’s against New Mexico law to check for ID,” the congressman conceded. Wouldn’t having scores of Republican poll watchers requesting voter ID even though there’s no legal requirement for an ID cause confusion? “What do you think these poll watchers should do if someone refuses to show identification?” I asked. “I just think we need to be asking the question,” replied Pearce. “I don’t think New Mexicans know how many people vote illegally. I pressed him again. Wouldn’t it cause confusion with poll watchers telling people they need an ID to vote even though they don’t? “It all comes down to judges and all that stuff—that’s sort of out of my area,” said Pearce.

Lee Fang at The Nation interviewed Rep. Steve Pearce about the training, who insisted that poll workers had to request ID yet acknowledged doing so would be illegal.