Election Day.
(Roses still blooming in my garden. Nothing to do with today’s post.)
Bet you think that maybe I’m off today, working the polls at a local precinct.
But . . . I’m not there.
Because . . . I quit.
When I signed on to become an election worker in my community – back in late 2019 – I was enthusiastic and inspired to take an active role in something I believed in . . . voting. My first election to work was the Michigan Presidential primary in March 2020 . . . just days before everything hit the proverbial fan with Covid. I’ve worked most of the elections since then (and there have been a lot of them here!).
I can’t say I ever enjoyed the work. The days are very long for election workers at the polls (16 hours, typically, per election). It can be very boring. Sometimes I was assigned with very nice co-workers, but often I worked with some very . . . annoying . . . personalities. And that’s always draining. But I was committed to the election process. I was impressed with the training I received; the voting/election systems in place are sound. And they work! (I wish everyone in the country understood the election safeguarding process. When results show that there is minimal-to-no voter fraud, I absolutely believe that. And you should, too.)
But things have started feeling very different about working elections since the 2020 Presidential fiasco. It feels threatening to be an election worker. Although my community is doing what it can to keep the polls safe — and, really, most voters coming to the precincts I’ve been assigned have been polite and well-mannered — the work feels risky. And . . . heroic. At 63, I’m on the younger end of election workers. We’re a bunch of old people . . . suddenly feeling like we need to “police” the polls and contend with angry people who can stand over our shoulders, watching our every move.
And, y’know. This is not what I signed on for.
Do I feel guilty about not being there at the polls today? Yes. Yes, I do. Very much.
But I’m also glad I’m not. (And each member of my family is glad I’m not there, too.)
It’s not so much that I’m intimidated (like I said, my precincts have always been very civil). It’s just . . . a rather icky job to begin with, now with added threats and a heaping helping of distrust poured over the top. I’ve just decided that . . . I don’t need that kind of hassle.
And that’s a shame.
So today . . . I’m not working at the polls. I tip my hat to all my former colleagues who are more devoted and committed than I am. (Hang in there, guys!)
I’ll be spending my time today girding my loins and preserving my energy for outrages to come.
If you haven’t already voted today, please get out and do so!
I’m working my second election today. I get where you’re coming from. (Some people…) We’ll be switching to new technology by the 2024 event and I can’t deny I worry about the expected high emotions to be further raised by something “new”. Time will tell and good for you taking care of you. xo
It is truly sad what has become of our democratic system of electing our officials.
I understand completely how you feel. I live in an area where my political leanings are in the minority. I didn’t even feel safe putting signs for my preferred candidates on my property. Yep . . . things are that bad.
Smith used to work as a poll judge but our state implemented vote by mail many years ago now (or you can drop the ballot in a box at your city hall) and fewer polling places are needed on Voting Day. Fingers crossed there are no cooked up problems today.
I fully support your decision while also acknowledging how sad it is that this is what it came down to for you. I know pretty much everyone who works at our polling location and there has never been trouble or harassment there . . . yet. I appreciate all of the election workers around our country today, I am sending all the good vibes and safe juju to them. I wish people understood just how much work and training goes into insuring that our elections are fair and safe for all. XOXO
It sounds like you made a good choice for very good reasons. I’m very happy to live in a state with all mail voting although that doesn’t stop people from intimidating people at ballot drop off sites and at the post office. What a world we live in.
Quitting sounds like a good choice for good reasons. I haven’t voted in person for at least three years and I would be happy to keep voting by mail. Poor Ryan always voted by mail in CO, but to be on the safe side, he chose to vote in person in PA today, and was appalled. Electioneering at the doors of the polling place, people dressed in MAGA gear, others kicking over Democratic candidates campaign signs, and clearly partisan poll workers. It’s just a very sad state of affairs, and I think you are better off. (I’m preserving my energy for the future also; I fear it isn’t going to be pretty.)
This brings tears to my eyes and a tingle to my scalp. I was thinking of you when I walked into my village hall to vote today…! And, now, I think I should write a thank-you note to Nancy, the woman I’ve known since I was wee, who’s been working the polls since she retired from the Dept. of Soc. Svcs in 2011. She said she’s been there since 5am… and, hearing your perspective, well–thanks (beyond what I had guessed) really are in order.
You have an informed and respectable perspective. You served your community. And you continue to get out the vote here. So–thank you! xo
Thanks for your service, and your decision is completely understandable. These are such crazy times.
I have a friend who is counting ballots in Pontiac, MI….not sure how she and her dh got that gig, but I’m glad they are doing it.
I nodded to much of this. My last time working an long-assed-day was the day the “constable” came armed but was very vocal about his voting for TFG and honestly, I was very anxious all day. Add to that the number of people who were convinced the poll workers were going to change their votes and no amount of explaining that we were there to be part of the facilitation of a free and fair election could convince them otherwise.
Do I miss it? Yes… parts. The long hours? No, not at all, but I understand the reason for the long hours. But being part of democracy working… yes I miss that so very much.
I have thought about working the polls, but with all the news after the last election and the violence and vitriol directed at election workers, I wasn’t exactly encouraged. I will say, though, that when I went to vote yesterday, everything was completely calm (which was extra reassuring for me because our polling place is at our synagogue!). And the young woman in line in front of me was voting for the first time, and when the poll workers realized it, they all cheered and clapped for her!
It sounds like you made the right decision for the right reasons. Thank you for your previous service. My Grandmother used to work at elections and she would be appalled at what goes on today. We have been voting by mail for quite awhile. Nebraska just passed an initiative requiring Photo ID’s to vote so that may not be an option anymore. The initiative was put on the ballot by petition and leaves the regulations for implementation to the new state legislature. All of this when there was no concern about voter fraud in Ne. This was sold to voters in our red state as a preventative measure.
Your elections sound so very different to ours here. I cannot imagine what you are describing as my experience is so very different. I am so very sorry to hear what folks are having to experience through public service.