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I went to the FedEx Forum to count absentee ballots. I was at one of two locations for Shelby County.
Everything was bipartisan. I sat at a table with an R. We wore stickers indicating our party and nothing could be done without someone from the opposite party there. 2/x
Everything was bipartisan. I sat at a table with an R. We wore stickers indicating our party and nothing could be done without someone from the opposite party there. 2/x
Ex: if I had to use the restroom, a D would need to come & stand in my place. No one was left alone with a ballot. We worked in pairs the entire time.
The process. Remember, everything is in pairs:
1. Get in line & get a box of ballots. Sign it out. Name, party & time 3/x
The process. Remember, everything is in pairs:
1. Get in line & get a box of ballots. Sign it out. Name, party & time 3/x
2. Count the envelops. Recount the envelops. Have an official sign off. Return the box.
3. Get in line again. Pick up a box that's already been counted. Recount the envelops. Re-recount the envelops. Get signature that the count matches the original count. 4/
3. Get in line again. Pick up a box that's already been counted. Recount the envelops. Re-recount the envelops. Get signature that the count matches the original count. 4/
If it doesn't, bring in a new R/D pair to recount.
4. If your count matches you get your OK.
5. Check the affidavit. This was fixed to the envelop. The signatures were already verified by someone in the commission office. We only needed to make sure the signature was there. 5/
4. If your count matches you get your OK.
5. Check the affidavit. This was fixed to the envelop. The signatures were already verified by someone in the commission office. We only needed to make sure the signature was there. 5/
6. Disconnect the affidavit from the envelop. Count again. Count the envelops, count the affidavit. Get signature. Count is off? Recount. Still off? Bring in a new team to count.
7. Affidavits go into a sealed box. Sign: name, party.
8. Open the envelops. 6/
7. Affidavits go into a sealed box. Sign: name, party.
8. Open the envelops. 6/
At this point, identities are removed from the ballots. If there is some kind of identifying information, that ballot is rejected. You couldn't put your name, ID, phone number, anything. Your ballot got tossed.
Other thing that got it tossed: One than one ballot in envelop. 7/
Other thing that got it tossed: One than one ballot in envelop. 7/
My box had 305 envelops = 305 votes. My bipartisan team didn't reject a single ballot.
9. Once you take out each ballot, you count AGAIN. And then recount. You bring your box to the machines and sign it over. They then literally count the votes. 8/
9. Once you take out each ballot, you count AGAIN. And then recount. You bring your box to the machines and sign it over. They then literally count the votes. 8/
I overheard someone talk about transparency and process & how we need more of it. So that was what happened for me. For 13.5 hours Ds & Rs worked together to get these ballots processed & counted. EVERYONE was invested in making sure that every vote was counted. 9/
Now yes, we can have a discussion about the parameters of rejection, but during the actual moment I really felt like everyone had the same goal: get every vote counted. I felt like we were all working towards that.
Other things I overheard: 10/
Other things I overheard: 10/
No signature on the affidavit? As long as there are two witnesses, that counts. Why? We must account for people who can't sign their name for whatever reason, which might include a Disability. As long as there were two witnesses, that vote was valid. 11/
Overall, it was a long day. I have gripes, but those are unrelated to the actual vote counting process. That said, I am so glad I did it & would do it again AND recommend it to others. First, it kept me from doomscrolling & watching the news in a panicked state 12/
Second, it channeled my anxiety into action.
Additionally, it was strangely calming to see all these people working together. I wasn't expecting drama, but it was interesting to see how people kept their partner by their side even when it wasn't necessary (e.g., for meals) 13/
Additionally, it was strangely calming to see all these people working together. I wasn't expecting drama, but it was interesting to see how people kept their partner by their side even when it wasn't necessary (e.g., for meals) 13/
Keep pressure on your elected officials to COUNT EVERY VOTE. Counting post-election day is not fraud. It's hard working individuals sacrificing their time for democracy. It's people wanting every vote to count & taking the (slow) measures to guarantee that as best they can. 14/
Given that I didn't want a 1000 tweet thread, it's important to note that this doesn't capture the whole process or experience, but it is a good play-by-play. I do hope that this transparency is calming & comforting... or at least informative!
15/15
15/15
+ 16/
Before y'all make it sound like I'm a hero or whatever, just note that I only did this one day. I did not do early voting or polls, which in terms of COVID, really heightened the risk for people.
Before y'all make it sound like I'm a hero or whatever, just note that I only did this one day. I did not do early voting or polls, which in terms of COVID, really heightened the risk for people.
+ 17/17
Additionally, and this feels VERY important, this was not a volunteer position! It was paid. When I signed up, I didn't know that (I was going to do it as a volunteer), but in Shelby Co. they pay people by the day. Since I'm being transparent, I might as well go all in.
Additionally, and this feels VERY important, this was not a volunteer position! It was paid. When I signed up, I didn't know that (I was going to do it as a volunteer), but in Shelby Co. they pay people by the day. Since I'm being transparent, I might as well go all in.
