Copyright 2006 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.
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