Election Poll Worker Chronicles: Background and Day 1

In order to follow in the footsteps of my parents who have both served this country through by being in the army, I decided to serve this country by signing up to work as a election poll worker. 

As someone who has voted in Kings County before, I thought that election poll workers jobs are easier since everything seemed so effortless whenever me and Den go to vote. I was so wrong and I was totally blown away by the amount of information poll workers have to learn prior to election day. 

Before committing to be a poll worker for this election, I had to be available to work a total of 4 days in order to meet the needs of those doing early voting before election day on November 3rd. Earlier this month, I had to attend a mandatory training and at this training, I was given a 91 page handbook full of information on the different types of voting, how the various election machines work as well as how to open and close the election polls. 

Poll Worker Handbook 

In preparation for working at the election polls, I purchased a mask with a message meant to inspire voters who come to my polling location.

Me wearing inspiring voting facemask

Today was the first day of working the election polls and I will admit, I didn't know what to expect. Would my fellow poll workers be friendly? We we get along well? Would voters be respectful? Before  arriving at the polling location, I said a prayer and hoped for the best, viewing this as a learning opportunity and planning be a good team member.
 

Day 1 Working the Election Polls

Poll workers are also referred to as a election board and consists of one election inspector and eleven election clerks. The election inspector is responsible for making sure that everything runs smoothly at the polling location. Luckily for us, for the first two days, we have an employees from the elections department to assist with any complicated questions or situations that occur.

All poll workers are required to arrive at the polling location thirty minutes before the polls officially open to the public. During this time, we turn the electronic (aka touchscreen) voting machines on, turn the on the ballot by demand (aka paper option) laptop and printer, and set up signs inside and outside the polling location so the public knows where to vote. After this process is complete, the clerks what area they want to work at: the registration entry table, the print by demand table, the voting direction area or the exit table.

Polling Location Set Up

Polls officially opened to the public at 9am and for the first day, we had a steady stream of people coming in the vote. It was encouraging to see so many people coming out to vote as well as the amount of people who thanks us poll workers for being there working.