Election Inspectors: What It’s like to Work at the Polls
There must be a certain number of election inspectors per district, with a fair share representing each party, or the show can’t go on. Ordinary citizens need to help operate the engine of democracy!
Yes! You too can be an election worker. Pay varies, but you don’t need much experience for the job; often a simple training session, an hour or two, will cover you. It’s a popular activity for retirees who want to supplement their income and do something with their day. (Or for undercover journalists who want to tell the nation what a 16-hour day at the polls is like.)
Since election procedures vary from state to state and county to county, this article won’t touch too much on specifics; it’s important for an interested election inspector to find out what the precise situation is for their local election. Check with the board of elections in your county or town and see how you can contribute to the team!
Our day runs something like this�
(1) The setup.
How early are polls open in your area? Well, election inspectors need to be there earlier. We set up and calibrate machines as needed, display the United States flag, post signs showing voters how to get to the polling place-as well as locking off a distance beyond which no campaign material may appear-and display posters explaining the voting procedure.
The old-fashioned voting booths only take about five minutes’ actual setup, but, inevitably, figuring out what one’s doing takes longer than that. These are gradually being replaced by electronic machines. Whatever the case, the precinct worker must know how to open the polls.
(2) The voting.
When a voter approaches, the first step is to be sure they are in the right place. One zip code may be divided into several polling districts, and sometimes a voter’s proper polling place is not the one closest to their home, or the same place they used last election. There are ways of looking up where someone is supposed to be.
Assuming the voter is in the right place-and, of course, registered-they sign a little book or sheet and go vote. If the voter requires assistance, they must be accompanied by workers from both parties, to assure fairness. Chances are no incident of this sort will occur during your shift. Then again, it might. It’s a more common trend these days to hire election inspectors who speak Spanish, in case a new immigrant is exercising their right to American democracy. And let’s not forget a certain set of confusing ballots in the year 2000.
You probably won’t have to clear up any voting mishaps, either-illicit campaigning, people trying to coerce voters into going a certain way. But it could happen, so election inspectors must keep their eye out for irregularities.
One of the election inspector’s jobs is to make sure a prospective voter is actually registered to vote. In determining whether the person is in the right place, you may find that he or she is not on the books at all. Some things to ask: if this is a primary, are they registered in a party to vote in that primary? Might they have changed their name recently? Things like that.
When a situation comes up that makes it seem like the prospective voter cannot vote, affidavits or emergency ballots are used. These will be given to the board of elections; they will determine on their end whether that vote counts or not. This gives the voter the benefit of the doubt but not a free pass.
(2a) The long day.
For a voter, it’s five minutes. For a poll worker, it’s maybe sixteen hours. And participatory democracy isn’t what it used to be.
Especially if it’s not the Presidential election, election inspectors will find themselves with significant down time, with voters few and far between. Bring books or magazines, and lots of them. Also be prepared food-wise; if food is not being provided for you, you’ll want to bring meals and snacks.
(3) The takedown.
Again, the exact procedure will vary by location, but the election inspectors must close the polls and see that the votes get where they need to. If you use electronic voting machines, they may automatically be beamed to the board of elections with space-age technologyâÂ?¦ but in many cases, the old-fashioned way wins out, and a vote count must be physically read, copied down and called in and/or brought to the office. This must be done in a fair way, with representatives from each party watching the proceedings to make sure there’s no funny business.
Poll-watchers, officially designated representatives from their party, may come in at this time to see how their candidate did; make sure they present ID, that they’re not just some random curious passerby.
There is procedure to be followed in all this, a lot of signing and affirming by all members present. Ultimately, working as an election inspector is a day of safeguarding a smooth vote process for all, and handling the voter-to-voter operations of the election. It’s less complicated than it sounds. If you want to be involved, chances are your district is in need of committed inspectors. Sign up in time for the next election! One person, one vote, truly make a difference.
