Local Government Elections - An Inside Look
By: Al Arnold
Over the past 25 years, I have observed and participated in local government from a variety of angles. From humble beginnings as a local political cartoonist, through a local elected official career, and now a Local Government Affairs Director for a large trade association.
To add to that local government/politics resume, I applied two years ago to become an election official. I wanted to work at the polls on election day. I wanted to know what it feels like, to have the responsibility of administering the most sacred of our rights, the right to vote. It is an awesome responsibility. Think about it. Those local citizens who work at the polls, make our whole system work. From electing a Coroner to the President, that is where the action is. I wanted to be there!
I recently received my work assignments for an election being held Tuesday, February 21. This should be a rather large turnout. There is a local school district bonding project on the ballot. Those always bring out the people!
I have worked only one previous election. It was a Primary election, but a very, very sparsely voted election. It was so slow, I was sent home three hours early. This will be different. This will be a full day.
My first assignment will be the distributor of the ballots. After the voter has “clearly stated their name” and been checked off the voter list, I will be affixing my initials to the ballot and handing it to them. I will be making sure they have no questions before entering the voting booth. While I expect a fairly large turnout, and a steady stream of voters, I will be positioned at the end of the registration table with enough room for someone to stand next to me and exchange in some small talk.
Then in the afternoon, I will be rotated out into the hallway and become the “Host.” I will be sitting at a table, answering questions, directing voters to the correct sign-up table and talking to the voters.
All the while I will be doing these jobs, I will also be observing. Observing my other poll workers. Observing the voters. Watching … Listening … Learning. I’m looking forward to it!
I compare all of local government to a reality television series. When watching a reality show on television you need to know the rules and the players of the game, before you get the most enjoyment out of the show. Same goes in local politics. You have to know the rules, and you have to know the players. Including the voters. It is all part of the reality series.
Might as well have a little fun when doing one of the most important jobs in our county, right?
I encourage anyone and everyone to find out how they can become an election poll worker in their area. That is, if you have what it takes to administer the most sacred of our rights.
Copyright 2006 Al Arnold
Al Arnold,Your Local Government Pontificator, is the author of Moving Mountains and Molehills Local Politics 101. http://WWW.LocalPolitics101.US