Individual citizens are the first line of defence for free and fair elections. A well-informed voter who makes acute observations and raises the right questions can expose, stop or deter an integrity problem. Even a voter who is not well-informed, but who questions something that does not seem right or correct, can be an effective integrity mechanism. A voter can challenge unfair or arbitrary actions by sending letters to the press or by filing a citizen complaint (where permitted, sometimes requiring a certain number of submitters) with election management or an enforcement body.

On election day, voters typically spend anywhere from 20 to 45 minutes at the polling station, looking for their names on the voter list, queuing, and marking and casting a ballot. In some cases voters may spend more time, depending on how large the crowds are at the polling place, and the complexity of the voting process (e.g., number of candidates, complexity and number of ballot-papers). During their time at the polling station, voters can protect their own interests and those of their fellow citizens by keeping a protective eye on the electoral process and reporting irregularities.  They may also gain a valuable impression of the atmosphere at the station and the immediately surrounding area.

A number of civil society groups and non-governmental organizations encourage voters to protect the integrity of the electoral process through recording their observations and reporting them to electoral authorities and regular observers.