by Ruthe M.
Member since:
January 16, 2007

A Day at the Polls

November 07, 2007 10:56 AM EST (Updated: November 07, 2007 11:01 AM EST)
views: 58 | comments: 21

Whew!  What a day I had yesterday!  I spent the entire day working the polls.  It was something else, to say the least.

How was it where you were at?  Did anyone else have to switch to paper ballots?  It was insane.  It was like going back in time...and not in a good way.

I arrived at my designated election polling spot, at 6:30 am, and didn't leave until 8:40pm.  Fortunately, we were the first district to have the ballots picked up.  Thank God!

Do you know how tired I was of saying the same thing, over and over again!  But, it was a great turn out, to say the least.  I had the daunting task of being the Minority Inspector.  Not as glamorous as it sounds! 

It was interesting to see, however, how many people are turning out to vote more.  There were people there, who hadn't voted in years!  ID was required to make sure they were who they were, since they were listed as inactive.

I got a lot of questions about how come we pay so much taxes, and have to do paper ballots?  I didn't have an answer for that one--or any question for that matter.  I just listened, said my little spiel (explaining the voting process) and smiled.  What made me laugh was the voting booths; They used the voting booths that used to hold the computers.  So, instead of the computers, it was this empty booth with walls.  What was funny, was what was written on the back of the booths: Advanced Solutions in Technology!  Now that was funny!

I also noted, though, how many people did not know the persons on the ballot.  They would ask: who is this?  who should I vote for?  I'm just going to leave it blank!  I have a feeling, many people maintain their seats, not because the people voted; but because know one knew who the heck they were, and never circled yes or no.  That was sad, but true.

You know, the election process can be a scary thing if you are not educated about it.  Even then, it can still be daunting.  What I know is: know the issues, know where you stand, vote for what you know is best for you and your family, and not for who raises the most money.  Get educated about the issues.  Know where each person stands, and do your homework on them.    Don't just vote.  Become an informed voter. Your vote really does matter; so don't be cavilier about it.  Be wise with it.  And yes, every vote really does count.

This message has been paid by the people supporting....LOL! I'm just kidding.  I couldn't resist.  Whew!  Vote! You could save a life!

link to this page
Bookmark this post:
Facebook
Twitter
Delicious
Buzz
More

Comments: 21

Amy D. Nov 7, 2007, 12:41pm EST
I'm afraid my patience would have been sorely tested working that job. However, with regard to voting, I have missed very few elections since turning 18.
Chris Carlisle Nov 7, 2007, 2:09pm EST
I'm curious... what role does the "Minority Inspector" plays at the polling station?
Gigi K. Nov 7, 2007, 2:17pm EST
Great article with a great message. I started voting at 18 and have never missed a voting opportunity and it's been more than 30 years! My very first opportunity at voting was a presidential election. I still remember how excited I was. I might not be as excited but agree that voting is one of the most important things you can do. I was disappointed at my polling location because there were more people working the polls than actual voters. I'm hoping the turnout was larger earlier in the day. The local elections are even more important than the state and federal levels because these officials truly can affect your day-to-day life! I thought it interesting that ID was asked of inactive voters. I think ID should be presented and required for anyone showing up to vote. My only other problem is that we have two propositions on our ballot and it was very difficult finding out what they were about. It's hard to be informed when you are struggling to get the information. You raised some great points!
Mary Beth Magee Nov 7, 2007, 2:25pm EST
Great article, Ruthe and congratulations on being featured!
Mary Ann R. Nov 7, 2007, 2:43pm EST
It's really great that you spent all that time at the polls! That's what makes democracy work. I don't feel sad about low voter turnout. I think people should vote if they have the time to understand the issues and form an opinion. Voting without thought turns the process into a lottery. There are many elections and many issues. In our area, we have local elections for selectmen of our town and often special elections for funding issues, there are county-wide offices too, then state levels elections for representatives and often many propositions and then national, of course. I don't think most people have the time to become informed on all these issues and many issues are quite complex. It makes more sense to me to focus on the things that are the most important to you and learn all you can. I can't imagine having the time to study the candidates for county solicitor, for example.

I am interested in your comments on identification. Do you feel it kept people from voting who had a right to vote? I have never been asked to present identification at the polls in my life!
Ruthe M. Nov 7, 2007, 2:54pm EST
Mary Ann, it actually didn't keep them from voting; but it did raise some questions for them. ID was required if they recently moved and just registered in hat particular district. Then they had to present ID. Their voter registration card, which should have their recent changes, was good enough. If they didn't have that, they needed to return with th eproper ID or, speak with the Judge of Elections, who made the the final decision as what steps to take. We only had a couple that didn't return. If you have been a consistent voter, or even an absentee voter, it was listed. And, most those persons did not have to present ID; just give their name, address, and sign their name, so that the signatures could be compared.
Diana Raabe Nov 7, 2007, 3:34pm EST
Don't just vote - be an informed voter.

That's great advice. I think too many people vote without enough information - or not really knowing who or what they are voting for.

I believe we had a good turnout in my district.
Alison Pearce Nov 7, 2007, 4:14pm EST
Sounds like you had a busy time! Need a holiday? I admire people working in the polling stations so muc, they always seem to be smiling and friendly despite the fact that everyone else is cranky about having to be there. I love voting and I love walking past the helpers handing out flyers, raising my hand and saying, "no thanks, I'll vote for someone who's not killing the rainforest!" That of course leaves me with no actual candidate, but I love saying it anyway!
Ruthe M. Nov 7, 2007, 4:33pm EST
Thanks, Mary Beth. Thank you, Reena.

Alison, LOL! And yes, I definitely could use a holiday... Any suggestions? ;)
Ruthe M. Nov 7, 2007, 4:51pm EST
As a Minority Inspector, I was responsible for being sure every voter was informed of the voting procedures, and being sure they did the ballots correctly. As well as be a wittness to all procedures during the election process. There's a whole lot more...but that was the gist of it. Also, I get the distinct pleasure of holding onto all the regristrants names, and absentee ballot voters, and how many people actually voted that day, in a sealed envelope for a year, in case there was anything that happened with the election process and all.
John L. Nov 8, 2007, 9:00am EST
Ruthie, I admire your participation. I live in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, which you may know has been plagued in recent years by poor voting machine performance. Part of the problem is that everything in this county is political, people get jobs without respect to their competence or abilities, and the Board of Elections is the place where the worst performers are sent. That results in stupid decisions. Example, my precinct has been located entirely within walking distance of a polling place at a church. So what did the Board of Elections do? Now my entire precinct must DRIVE to another polling place that is NOT within reasonable walking distance. That means literally that if one lives in my precinct whose western border is across the street from this church, one will not vote their any longer. This in a time when we are told to conserve. Ridiculous. But it's worse than that. One of the most important presidential elections in US history is now less than a year away, and the machines are still having problems. In view of Ohio's critical importance in presidential elections as a bellweather state, I am concerned that the votes in this county and others will not be counted correctly. It is a real problem and in this county anyway, the lack of competence at the Board of Elections does not inspire confidence.
Ruthe M. Nov 8, 2007, 3:50pm EST
John, I completely understand. There have been so many changes; and not for the good. It sometimes makes me wonder how many things are being done purposely; especially considering we are fast approaching, as you said, one of the most important presidential elections in US history. Many counties are not prepared for the upcoming elections. Which was evident by this past election day. I can't even begin to explain the debaucle that occurred in my county concerning the counting of the ballots.
Yvonne L. Nov 8, 2007, 6:09pm EST
Congratulations on being an election judge. If you want to see democracy in action, volunteer to be an election judge. It usually involves two hours of training and then a full day of activity and a small stipend.
I was also an election judge on Tuesday. Turnout was vastly underestimated; we could have used more judges at our location. Our hours were noon to 8pm. During that time, we registered new voters (or people who had moved or changed their names) at the rate of one every three minutes. We also signed in voters at the rate of one every 16 seconds. Since we had 2 and sometimes three sign-in lines, that would be a voter every 32 to 48 seconds. So they said their name, we flipped the book to find their name, they signed and received a receipt all in less than a minute.
We didn't even have time to take a break, drink a beverage or make a phone call during the eight hours that the polls were open. When the polls closed, we then processed the absentee ballots and completed the reconciling procedures.
It's strenuous. Not every voter is pleasant. But it is democracy in action.
Ruthe M. Nov 8, 2007, 7:08pm EST
Exactly!
Sheila Deeth Nov 8, 2007, 8:53pm EST
Ruthe, I loved your article, and your advice. And I've enjoyed reading the comments here.

Absolutely - be an informed voter, and don't vote for who raises the most money. Wise advice.
David V. Nov 8, 2007, 9:17pm EST
There you go - democracy in action at the grass roots. Our Founders were divided over direct and indirect (republican) democracy. If the voters pay no attention, and don't know who the candidates are and what the issues are, direct election will have little meaning. However, if you choose people to make your decisions for you, they may be corrupted by vested interests. The informed citizen, who votes in every election, knowing who is whom and what is what, is the best defense against both political corruption and tyranny. We need more such citizens.

The machines are gone because they cannot be trusted. Paper ballots are easy to count beforehand, count afterward, and recount repeatedly. With enough honest poll workers, an honest election can be guaranteed. Perhaps, when machines that can be trusted are developed, we will be able to eliminate paper.

The biggest question in the polling place is, who is eligible to vote? Manipulation of eligibility was historically used to rig elections. Good lists, good ID, and knowledgeable poll workers can eliminate fraudulent ballot casting, but risk allowing ineligibles to cast ballots. On the other hand, purging the lists too vigorously has disenfranchised thousands, especially in Florida.

There can be no perfect elections, because there are no perfect people. Thanks to Ruthe and people like her all across the country, we do have democracy, at least in her town, and we do have good elections.

Hip, hip, hooray.
Patricia J. Nov 8, 2007, 10:04pm EST
Very good piece Ruthe, congratulations for being on the front page.
Stephen E. Nov 8, 2007, 10:32pm EST
"Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master."

- George Washington
Dick S. Nov 11, 2007, 6:48pm EST
Your article revealed a lot! Contrary to conventional wisdom I don't believe people should vote unless they know who and for what they are voting for! Laying a guilt trip on people who are too lazy to study the issues and candidates, doesn't solve anything. And it may be even dangerous.
Bill A. Nov 12, 2007, 4:50pm EST
This was an interesting perspective. I had the opportunity of running for a position on our local school board here in Colorado. It was my first time in an attempt to run for a position. Unfortunately, I ran unopposed. Our ballots were mail-in but you still had the opportunity to vote at a polling place if you so desired. Our voter turnout was roughly 50% given that it was an off year and of that 50%, I garnered just under 50% of the ballots counted. In other words, of the registered voters less than a quarter of them voted for me. Of those who actually cast a ballot, less than half voted for me. In reality, I needed only one vote to be elected to my office, but it still makes me sad that when given the opportunity, I still didn't get the majority of the voters to vote for me. I agree with the many writers above who say if you don't know someone you shouldn't vote for them, that we need informed voters. Should I then be allowed to take my seat? I know just over 700 people think I should be there. But what about the other roughly 800 people who didn't vote for me and didn't have another option? (We don't have blanks for write-ins here unless you declare yourself a write-in candidate by a certain date.) I am one of those individuals who will not vote for someone even if they are running unopposed if I feel they have not done a good job in office. I do not have a way to reflect that opinion on the ballot except by leaving it blank. This to me is a reason to re-examine our election laws and the rules by which we elect our officials.

Anyway, I got on a soapbox and I apologize. Thank you, Ruthe, and all of the rest of the writers, for your insights and thoughts. Now, if we could only get more people interested in the process. Maybe it would be a good thing to have everyone be an election judge just once, like maybe having to do jury duty.

Vote in 2008, everyone!

Join the Conversation
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Already a member? Sign in
top
 
Gather | Friends | Groups | Share
About Gather | Engagement Marketing | Make New Friends | Gather Points | Advertise on Gather | Gather Press | Privacy | Terms of Service | Community Guidelines
Books | Celebs | Entertainment | Family | Food | Health | Moms | Money | News | Politics | Spirituality | Sports | Travel | Writing
Version 16961, "Pacino"; Copyright © 2009 Gather Inc. All rights reserved.