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While all the fights are going on over yet-to-be counted votes, I was reminded that the folks who volunteer to work elections take on long hours under a lot of pressure to ensure a smooth voting day. I noted some elder ladies in Kenosha processing ballots in a basement 1/x
I didn’t give those “white-hair ladies nibbling cookies” their due — for workers at Central Count facilities in Kenosha, for example, those workers started at 7:15 a.m. on Election Day and at 12:45 a.m. the next morning 2/x
Processing of absentee ballots, of which there were a record number in Kenosha and other places this year, can’t start until polls open at 7a. Workers are under pressure to get them in by 8 p.m. when the polls close so the counting can start. To do that...3/x
Each certificate envelope is checked for:
voter signature
witness signature with address
#s go into the “Bader Book” (WI electronic poll book) and are backed up on paper.
"We take it very personally if a ballot needs to be rejected” one canvas supervisor told me 4/x
voter signature witness signature with address #s go into the “Bader Book” (WI electronic poll book) and are backed up on paper.
"We take it very personally if a ballot needs to be rejected” one canvas supervisor told me 4/x
Poll workers are also troubleshooting and customer servicing for voters all day — locating voters who haven’t shown up the computer list and documenting it; confirming a ballot was received; potentially tracking down a ballot if someone thinks they mailed an empty envelope 5/x
Poll workers also have to deal with write-in candidates which take extra time to process. Writing in a candidate is totally legitimate! But some voters write in cartoon names or goof off with the write in just for kicks. They’re allowed, but it does add to the workload! 6/x
Election workers get training during the year, but only one chance to put it into practice, so there’s lots of on-the-job learning. Experience workers mentor newcomers— and there were a lot of first-time election workers this year because many older workers had Covid concerns 7/x
Naturally, they’re also bummed when there’s low voter turnout.
Some of the experienced workers still didn’t want to miss out, despite the health and safety concerns. One in the Town and Village of Somers in Kenosha Co is 90 and worked a 19-hour day.
Very cool.
8/8
Some of the experienced workers still didn’t want to miss out, despite the health and safety concerns. One in the Town and Village of Somers in Kenosha Co is 90 and worked a 19-hour day.
Very cool.
8/8
