But with this year's heated national election, their role is now part of a fresh narrative of accountability. Watchers are independent citizens appointed to observe the conduct of the election.

A number of Longview residents reported that their power had been flickering intermittently on Monday evening. Karen Wissing, SWEPCO spokesperson, said that the company began working on the issue at about 6:23 p.m. Wissing said at 9:20 that there were 20 troublemen investigating the problem, and they had narrowed it down to an issue at a substation in North Longview.