The basis of Democracy

[SSScout]

It is Monday afternoon.  I visited my dentist(I go back Wednesday morning to do the fillings, plural) , did alittle attic cleaning, preparative to installing some more insulation,  Communicated and commiserated with lovely wife, and will soon depart for several more exo-home chores.  The last of which will be attending a pre election meeting for Election Judges.

I served as an Election Judge twice before (but not the most recent occasion ).   When I volunteered for this time around, I was first told "THANK YOU !!  We are short handed", then, after I completed the online training (phew) and the in person training,  checked in, they told me "thanks, but we are fully staffed".  When I pressed, they made me a "Closing Assistant", because I have a van to carry gear in. I therefore  am not expected to serve the usual way,  from 6am tuesday thru to 9pm tuesday.  If one is assigned Election Judge duty , you are expected to come prepared to STAY the whole time, not leave for any reason.  If you leave, you may not return, and you will forfeit your pay.  Bring your comfy shoes, food, drink (water will be available), any medication needed for the full time..  I am asked to report tuesday evening at 7pm. I will be helping to dissasemble and pack away all the "stuff" and help transport some of it back to the Board of Elections. We have a two page ballot, back and front each (four pages) and depending on where in the county/state  one is voting , many variants.... 

The last minute instructions I just read  include the place to assemble due to an ordered evacuation, a place to assemble if a "bomb"  threat, and  reminders to wear the mask, wash hands and extra phone numbers if we need to communicate with the Chief Judge of our site/precinct. No cell phone service is allowed, all Cell phones MUST be turned off while on duty.  Voters have the same requirement.  

I am humbled by the responsibility I feel , even in the small after the fact duty I have assumed, or have participated in previously.  The integrity ("A Scout is Trustworthy") that is assumed of our poll workers and election officials is daunting.   One of the finest ideas of our "representative democracy" is the assumption that each citizen who does this work, no matter their political party or religion or place of origin or cultural heritage is that they are there to be "loyal" to ("A Scout is...") not a person , not a nation, or any group of people,   but to the Constitutions of their state and nation.  

Smile and wave as you stand in line, waiting to take your turn ,  to make your mark, whether it be ink on paper or finger to touch screen.  

See you on the trail...... 

[David CO]

25 minutes ago, SSScout said:

It is Monday afternoon.  I visited my dentist(I go back Wednesday morning to do the fillings, plural) , did a little attic cleaning, preparative to installing some more insulation,  Communicated and commiserated with lovely wife, and will soon depart for several more exo-home chores.  The last of which will be attending a pre election meeting for Election Judges.

 

All of those things (dentist, home repairs, chores, etc.) sound preferable to being an election judge.

 

[MattR]

1 hour ago, SSScout said:

Smile and wave as you stand in line, waiting to take your turn 

I smiled to myself. I voted last week. Yet there are still polling places to drop off the ballots. They smiled. It was like passing someone on a trail. They don't get nearly the rush of voters of having them all in 12 hours. 

[ALongWalk]

My son is going to be an election worker tomorrow....I am very proud of him.

[SSScout]

Well, it turned out I was not needed in a "transport" mode, so tuesday night I first spent my time before 8pm helping to direct voters to the right table,  I then spent most of  tuesday evening folding up and stacking tables, chairs, pulling blue tape arrows off the floor, and re-packing a supply cart   the size of a small walk-in closet on wheels:::  (Boxes of pencils (eraser end used for tapping screens), hundreds of pens (used and unused), Boxes of PPE, extension cords, signs, paper clips, markers, zipper bags empty and refilled,  cardboard and plastic privacy screens,  various official forms,  blank note pads, magnifying screens (pretty nifty, I thought), clip boards, mylar face shields,   everything a small government office might use EXCEPT the computer stations...

TETRIS practice is a useful skill. I must remember to mention it on my next resume..... 

The ePollbooks were packed up and stacked THERE....   the Ballot Scanners were packed in their rolling vaults THERE . . .  the Ballot Marking Devices went over HERE.... Ballot collection boxes sealed and clipped shut.  Security forms vouched for and signed off on.  Security seals on the locks and those numbers vouched for and signed off on. The BoE truck will arrive later, the Chief Judges and Closing Judges must stay until all is accounted for and the Evidence Trail noted.  The rest of us were thanked and excused. 

Our CJs had nothing but praise for the crew.  It was noted that about half of them had also worked the Early Voting Sites the previous week. Long hours, not much monetary pay, but still.... We applauded our Chiefs, bid goodnight to our fellow workers, and departed.

I got home just before 10pm.