topic Re: HAS ANYONE BEEN A POLL WORKER? in Community Chat

HAS ANYONE BEEN A POLL WORKER?

Puppy Lips — Tue, 14 Jul 2020 19:42:46 GMT

I signed up to do just that. I saw a "Poll Workers Needed" sign when we voted earlier this year - after I knew our business was tanking. I go for training next week. I know I am in for some long days. But I thought it might be interesting and a way to earn a bit of income. I would be interested to hear if anyone has done it and their thoughts and experiences.

Re: HAS ANYONE BEEN A POLL WORKER?

Laura14 — Tue, 14 Jul 2020 19:43:45 GMT

I have not but let me say THANK YOU @Puppy Lips for doing that for your community.

Re: HAS ANYONE BEEN A POLL WORKER?

Somertime — Tue, 14 Jul 2020 20:06:09 GMT

@Puppy Lips I've done it in the past. We were open for voting from 6:00AM till 9:00PM. The hours between 9:00AM and 5:00PM were the slowest, majority worked so they would vote before work and after work and we were in a school and had policeman stationed with us. It's not difficult, bring a book, just in case. On voting day, the "old timers" will be there to help you out. It's pocket money. Good luck! Thank you for taking the time.

Re: HAS ANYONE BEEN A POLL WORKER?

ALRATIBA — Tue, 14 Jul 2020 20:08:46 GMT

I did it once back in the late 1970s when I was living in CA. Interesting experience, but I'd never do it again.

One of my neighbors down the hall has worked the polls as long as I've been living here.

Re: HAS ANYONE BEEN A POLL WORKER?

Mz iMac — Tue, 14 Jul 2020 20:18:36 GMT

I work the polls. It really depends on the group of people you work with as well on the size of your district.

I've always done it in the building I live in yet there is usually only 1 other pollster who is a resident besides me.

We both have tenure.

We are all suppose to take turns taking the paperwork to the municiple building in the evenings. I always make it known I do not drive in the dark under no circumstances. No problem there since the other pollsters live near the municiple building.

We have a wonderful group so we have lunch catered in. A deli & 1 restaurant in the area supply free food.

Me & another pollster are the sign in/register peeps.

Another is the counter peep & goes into the booth if someone needs help.

My resident buddy, sets up the machines while I get the tables, flags & chairs in order.

Another is the "negotiator" as there are always folks who try to vote in a district not theirs and/or signs in under another name (for a friend).

It's a loooooooooooong day. So bring something to read, computer, iPod, snacks, breakfast, lunch & dinner during the "slow" hours.

Re: HAS ANYONE BEEN A POLL WORKER?

spiderw — Tue, 14 Jul 2020 20:27:24 GMT

When I was in my twenties I worked the polls for two elections. I lived in the city and the two elections were mayoral. I was enthusiastic and idealistic at the time and I learned a lot , some of which wasn't a good experience.

I do not have any regrets working at the polls but I never had the urge to do it again.

. Good luck to you doing your part and if you encounter any wrong doings, do report it,, that I did and would do again.

Re: HAS ANYONE BEEN A POLL WORKER?

drizzellla — Tue, 14 Jul 2020 20:52:58 GMT

My next door neighbor was the "head" poll worker since we moved into the neighborhood. She was WONDERFUL. She was VP at a local bank. She worked with the same group of people. It really worked like a well oiled machine. We didn't know how good we had it until she had to retire for health reasons.

Not sure where they got the new group from. I feel sorry for them. I would stand there and repeat saying my name and spelling it. Last time I voted I showed the person the page they should be looking at to see my name. They still couldn't find me. The person sitting next to them had to point out my name. I got to feeling so sorry for him. Could he not understand? Could he not hear? Could he not see? Not sure what was going on.

Puppy Lips, So as long as you know the alphabet, I think you will do just fine. There are always people around you to help.

Re: HAS ANYONE BEEN A POLL WORKER?

chiclets — Tue, 14 Jul 2020 21:36:03 GMT

I have.

Not difficult to do but you need to be alert concerning names and addresses.

You need to hear all the reasons people need to vote for another person.

Bring a book when the polls are slow and it is an interesting place to be to hear the gossip about people that people know who are there to vote. Yada, Yada.

This year the polls will be different to work at. Less contact with others and less gossip!

Enjoy your experience. You are a public servant.

Re: HAS ANYONE BEEN A POLL WORKER?

MamaWick — Tue, 14 Jul 2020 21:45:40 GMT

When we lived in Wisconsin (2005 to 2019), I was a poll worker for our small community. I did this to meet people since we had moved there from Missouri. I met many nice people. It was interesting and fun. After a few elections, I was asked to train as a "Chief Election Judge" which I did. Now that I'm in Texas, I don't think I'll be doing it, but who knows.

Re: HAS ANYONE BEEN A POLL WORKER?

millieshops — Tue, 14 Jul 2020 21:51:52 GMT

@drizzellla I vote mail-in except for municipal elections; we have to show a driver's license which gets run through their machine. Makes everything easy - at least for those of us who have licenses.

Re: HAS ANYONE BEEN A POLL WORKER?

millieshops — Tue, 14 Jul 2020 21:55:03 GMT

@Puppy Lips If you live in or near a viral hot spot, be sure to ask at training how they are setting up to social distance.

I voted in person in a primary in early March; they had an excellent set-up to protect poll workers and voters that day. (Palm Beach County, FL.)

Re: HAS ANYONE BEEN A POLL WORKER?

Still Raining — Tue, 14 Jul 2020 22:20:54 GMT

Here in Oregon we have only mail in. For a long time. Works very well. No idea why other states still use the wait in line in person way.

Re: HAS ANYONE BEEN A POLL WORKER?

willdob3 — Tue, 14 Jul 2020 23:18:49 GMT

@Puppy Lips

Yes, I worked the November 2016 election. It was a very long day but very rewarding. I didn’t do it for the money but it was definitely nice to be compensated.

I was planning to work again this November but, given the current circumstances, it will take a miracle that I don’t think is going to happen to get me to the polls. I’m going to be mailing in my vote this year, too. It isn’t safe to be in crowds.

Re: HAS ANYONE BEEN A POLL WORKER?

suzyQ3 — Tue, 14 Jul 2020 23:31:37 GMT

@willdob3 wrote:
@Puppy Lips

Yes, I worked the November 2016 election. It was a very long day but very rewarding. I didn’t do it for the money but it was definitely nice to be compensated.

I was planning to work again this November but, given the current circumstances, it will take a miracle that I don’t think is going to happen to get me to the polls. I’m going to be mailing in my vote this year, too. It isn’t safe to be in crowds.

@willdob3, we've done mail-in for years. But I'm thinking that as long as masks and social distancing are mandatory, it might be okay for those who go to polling places.

The most important thing?

VOTE

Re: HAS ANYONE BEEN A POLL WORKER?

Porcelain — Tue, 14 Jul 2020 23:39:49 GMT

I will be voting by mail, for my safety and that of others. But if for some reason I can't get my mail in ballot, I will vote in person regardless of the risks. I'm wiling to break out my one and only N95 mask and crawl over broken glass to do it if I have to.

May God grant all poll workers and watchers increased immunity this year!

Re: HAS ANYONE BEEN A POLL WORKER?

willdob3 — Tue, 14 Jul 2020 23:44:23 GMT

@suzyQ3 wrote:
@willdob3 wrote:
@Puppy Lips

Yes, I worked the November 2016 election. It was a very long day but very rewarding. I didn’t do it for the money but it was definitely nice to be compensated.

I was planning to work again this November but, given the current circumstances, it will take a miracle that I don’t think is going to happen to get me to the polls. I’m going to be mailing in my vote this year, too. It isn’t safe to be in crowds.
@willdob3, we've done mail-in for years. But I'm thinking that as long as masks and social distancing are mandatory, it might be okay for those who go to polling places.

The most important thing?

VOTE

@suzyQ3 It just as easily “might” not be safe and that is the deciding factor for me. I’m not willing to risk my health or my life.

I agree that it is extremely important to vote; mail in is actually a lot more convenient for most people, too. This year, it is definitely the safer choice.

Re: HAS ANYONE BEEN A POLL WORKER?

suzyQ3 — Tue, 14 Jul 2020 23:47:14 GMT

@willdob3 wrote:
@suzyQ3 wrote:
@willdob3 wrote:
@Puppy Lips

Yes, I worked the November 2016 election. It was a very long day but very rewarding. I didn’t do it for the money but it was definitely nice to be compensated.

I was planning to work again this November but, given the current circumstances, it will take a miracle that I don’t think is going to happen to get me to the polls. I’m going to be mailing in my vote this year, too. It isn’t safe to be in crowds.
@willdob3, we've done mail-in for years. But I'm thinking that as long as masks and social distancing are mandatory, it might be okay for those who go to polling places.

The most important thing?

VOTE
@suzyQ3 It just as easily “might” not be safe and that is the deciding factor for me. I’m not willing to risk my health or my life.

I agree that it is extremely important to vote; mail in is actually a lot more convenient for most people, too. This year, it is definitely the safer choice.

@willdob3, going to the polls, as I said, is not something we've done for decades. But many will go, and if that's the case, I want them to do it. So I'm hoping that safety precautions will be in place.

Re: HAS ANYONE BEEN A POLL WORKER?

willdob3 — Tue, 14 Jul 2020 23:52:29 GMT

@suzyQ3 wrote:
@willdob3 wrote:
@suzyQ3 wrote:
@willdob3 wrote:
@Puppy Lips

Yes, I worked the November 2016 election. It was a very long day but very rewarding. I didn’t do it for the money but it was definitely nice to be compensated.

I was planning to work again this November but, given the current circumstances, it will take a miracle that I don’t think is going to happen to get me to the polls. I’m going to be mailing in my vote this year, too. It isn’t safe to be in crowds.
@willdob3, we've done mail-in for years. But I'm thinking that as long as masks and social distancing are mandatory, it might be okay for those who go to polling places.

The most important thing?

VOTE
@suzyQ3 It just as easily “might” not be safe and that is the deciding factor for me. I’m not willing to risk my health or my life.

I agree that it is extremely important to vote; mail in is actually a lot more convenient for most people, too. This year, it is definitely the safer choice.
@willdob3, going to the polls, as I said, is not something we've done for decades. But many will go, and if that's the case, I want them to do it. So I'm hoping that safety precautions will be in place.

@suzyQ3

I want them to vote, too, but change is good. We don’t want to see spikes of COVID-19 two weeks after the election. I’d much rather see people protect themselves and others by using the mail-in option. I expect many more will this year than ever before.

The polls will have safety measures in place in place that will have help but they can’t promise to prevent. And you know there will be infected people who go to the polls to vote. Better for those who can to vote by mail.

Re: HAS ANYONE BEEN A POLL WORKER?

suzyQ3 — Tue, 14 Jul 2020 23:58:48 GMT

@willdob3 wrote:
@suzyQ3 wrote:
@willdob3 wrote:
@suzyQ3 wrote:
@willdob3 wrote:
@Puppy Lips

Yes, I worked the November 2016 election. It was a very long day but very rewarding. I didn’t do it for the money but it was definitely nice to be compensated.

I was planning to work again this November but, given the current circumstances, it will take a miracle that I don’t think is going to happen to get me to the polls. I’m going to be mailing in my vote this year, too. It isn’t safe to be in crowds.
@willdob3, we've done mail-in for years. But I'm thinking that as long as masks and social distancing are mandatory, it might be okay for those who go to polling places.

The most important thing?

VOTE
@suzyQ3 It just as easily “might” not be safe and that is the deciding factor for me. I’m not willing to risk my health or my life.

I agree that it is extremely important to vote; mail in is actually a lot more convenient for most people, too. This year, it is definitely the safer choice.
@willdob3, going to the polls, as I said, is not something we've done for decades. But many will go, and if that's the case, I want them to do it. So I'm hoping that safety precautions will be in place.
@suzyQ3

I want them to vote, too, but change is good. We don’t want to see spikes of COVID-19 two weeks after the election. I’d much rather see people protect themselves and others by using the mail-in option. I expect many more will this year than ever before.

The polls will have safety measures in place in place that will have help but they can’t promise to prevent. And you know there will be infected people who go to the polls to vote. Better for those who can to vote by mail.

Yes, of course it's better, @willdob3. I know you'll understand, though, why I won't say more.

Re: HAS ANYONE BEEN A POLL WORKER?

Ms Tink — Wed, 15 Jul 2020 00:35:11 GMT

I did it in the mid-'80s. Took less than a day to train. I was the head of the polls and making all decisions for that day and it was one heck of a day even if it was a small small town. I think now they have to have a Judge and a Judge assistant of each party and one that is not supposed to be biased. I had to call 911 because some were there to vote that was not registered. Once I told them they must be registered I was called every name in the book and was told they had voted for years because so and so let them. Goes to show that the polls can be dishonest. I had my stomach full and did not sign up any more. They don't have enough money in Fort Knox to get me to do it now.