Reflections of a 2020 Election Poll Worker
This year was the first time since college when I served as an Election Day poll worker. It’s an experience I encourage every American to do at least once. Not only does it provide immense gratitude and pride to live in this great nation but it is amazing to be a part of the process and learn what all takes place to carry out democracy at it’s very essence. Here are my reflections on serving as a poll worker in the 2020 election.
Hello, Neighbor!
I loved having the chance to work in my own precinct and therefore meet SO MANY neighbors! There were about 12 of us working the precinct and I didn’t get to talk to all of them at length due to the nature of the job/day but those who I worked closest with were so pleasant!! Emotions and anxiety run high for many Americans and you go into a day like that unsure how the energy of the room will feel but we had such a wonderful time getting to know one another, working alongside our neighbors toward a common goal, despite our differences and for the greater good. That’s what America is all about. You learn a lot about a person in 14 consecutive hours. People went from strangers at 6 AM to people I wanted to make future plans with by 8 PM. Working together, sharing meals and snacks, looking out for each other so that everyone got breaks and felt supported in their unique roles… we were forced to put aside our political differences (not allowed to talk politics while working the polls) and work together. Y’all that’s a spoonful of medicine this whole country needs right now. Shut up and get your hands dirty. Love thy neighbor. It’s a beautiful thing to have the freedom of speech, a right to your own opinion and to voice it. But we are so self-centered.
Some great verses I was reminded of earlier this week, which absolutely pertain to this:
"My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this, everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry." James 1:19
"Though the Lord is great, he cares for the humble, but he keeps his distance from the proud." Psalm 138:6
We dealt with problems throughout the day and handled them together. It was the ultimate demonstration of what is possible in America and an incredible reminder that it’s all about community - those local races and local policies are just as important, if not more important, than the federal ones. It starts with us, our families and our decision to get involved in our community, to get up and do something to make a difference. If nothing else comes of this year, I think so many of us have come to the realization that we need to wake up and see what’s happening right in front of us… in our homes, in our schools, in our towns. We get in our own bubbles and we lose sight of what’s literally right in front of us, what really matters.
^Wow, didn’t realize I was going to get on my soap box a little today but here we are.
The Excitement of Voting in America
One of the best parts of the day for all of us at this precinct, was celebrating first time voters. I saw a friend who worked the election in another state share this same experience. It wasn’t all 18 year olds, it was people of all ages. Some would tell us why they’d never voted - the reasons varied: work always had them traveling, they never felt it was important before this year, something had happened to them or their family that made them want to vote, they’d registered years ago and then never saw the point until this year. We saw SO MANY first time voters and we loved cheering them on, for taking that step to make their voice heard. You could tell some felt maybe embarrassed to admit it, and we made sure to celebrate them. It was also precious to watch children come in with their parents, so eager to witness voting and letting us know how excited that they had “only x amount of years until I get to vote!!!!”
Some people came in stressed, unsure if they were in the right placed, unsure what to do with the equipment, etc. and we did our best to calm all fears and relieve any stress. A few people were fired up the moment they walked in the door, and I think every case was something we, as poll workers, had literally zero control over, so that was… fun… getting chewed out. But for the most part people were great and understanding. I honestly expected a ton of issues… I mean between the high turn out / long lines at some points in the day. keeping people safe with COVID guidelines, general Election Day jitters and passion about candidates and races, typical problems like a person was at the wrong location after waiting an hour + in line, in the cold, early in the morning… But it went very smoothly for the most part and we had way fewer problems than I anticipated.
Overview of Working an Election in South Carolina
My first time voting in South Carolina and my first time working an election in this state, I enjoyed comparing the process to that of Kentucky. Although, it’s been several years so I’d imagine the process has evolved in Kentucky since then. I was impressed with the usage of technology, and I hear this is the first year for the use of tech equipment like we used at check in, at least in our precinct. In previous elections I’ve walked up, signed a book and been given a slip of receipt paper with a code to use in the voting booth. I’ve also used paper ballots in some KY elections. In South Carolina, if you voted in person, you came to the check in table, which I worked, you provided an acceptable form of photo ID (SC is one of a handful of states I believe that requires photo ID) and I scanned the back of your license or entered your info, verified a few pieces of information and then you were handed a ballot that was blank other than the top with some important information printed pertaining to the election and then I handed the voter a cotton swab to use on the ballot marking device. You marked your ballot with a computer of sorts and then fed it into a different machine that counted the votes and collected provisional ballots. (Of course if there were issues at any point in the initial check in, we then assisted you in any way we could or connected you with the “resolution table.” )
Due to COVID and maybe it’s the new norm, we completed the bulk of our training online. Darrell streamed the training through the TV one evening and we took a few hours to complete the videos and take quizzes all from our couch. We then completed a socially distanced in-person training for a couple of hours one week night where an experienced “clerk” led us through an overview of what we’d covered in training, answered any questions, talked through different scenarios and helped us acclimate to the technology we’d be using on Election Day. We had to complete additional training specific to COVID procedures and were compensated for the additional time and I guess “risk” of serving this year. (The COVID training was online and we completed it at the same time as the poll manager training at home.)
Why We Chose to Work The 2020 Election
This isn’t a political statement, but if you want people to have the opportunity to vote in person and for it to be as simple and safe as possible, then that requires a lot of election workers. If you’ve ever noticed, there are a lot of elderly people who work the elections. That’s amazing that they do because it’s a very long day and it requires long hours of standing. But in a year like this, it’s more of a risk for elderly due to COVID. Even for the many election workers who aren’t elderly, we knew this year would likely make it a harder decision for some people to sign up to work this election. As able bodied citizens, we felt it was the least we could do to make up the difference and help meet the need for workers this year. So to think about the lack of help plus the extra help needed to keep things safe in terms of COVID and handle the anticipated high turn out, it just made sense that if we could help, we should. It’s also a great way to make a little extra money on a day we otherwise have little required of us. I can’t remember how much we’re supposed to make for working this election but it is pretty good money for a long day of work + some training. Furthermore, being new to the area, this seemed like an excellent way to meet people in our new town.
If you’re interested in learning more about serving as a poll worker, reach out to your county clerk’s office or your local elections office to find out how to get on a list for future elections. It’s an experience you won’t regret.
God bless the USA!
Photo by Emily Morano