Being an Election Judge

You know my political thoughts and beliefs. You know I am committed to my candidates and philosophies. Hopefully you know these to be consistent and congruent with facts and history. I certainly try to be congruent. And a serious student of political science as well!

At any rate once or twice a year I serve as an election judge. This is a lot of work. But managing polling places where America votes and keeps democracy alive and working is important work.

We election judges know we are in for a lot of work. Early morning set up of the polling place; exact requirements for procedures and routines to work seamlessly with the law. And then the greeting of each voter into the polling place and the marshaling of them through the process so they can cast their vote unencumbered by outside influence within the walls of the polling place. That is the law. That is the standard we uphold.

Bipartisan representatives are present, even bipartisan judges. We guard against unfairness and illegal actions within the polling place. And we keep our humor and civility throughout. Not always is this the case with voters. Some enter with huge chips on their shoulders; some seem cowed and afraid of the process. But most stand tall and move assured to cast their vote. These are the voters who have studied the issues and the candidates and are certain they are doing the right thing.

Our job is to accommodate all voters – young and old, foreign and domestic, sick and healthy, halt and lame, experienced and not so experienced.

We get our share of first time voters and their glee and pride! Always a welcome and refreshing experience to seasoned poll workers!

Over all the years I have done this work I think the thing that impresses me the most is the patience and solidity of voters in all sorts of conditions. Long lines or short, dark hours or bright sunshine, rain or snow or heat and cold do not deter their presence and voting. They are there each time to do their duty. They are there to vote and be America once again. The privacy of the voting booth is like an altar or confessional booth. It is sacred and taken as such.

In good times and bad the voter still steps forward and does her/his duty. Just as we need them to. Just as the system relies on them to do. It is an easy act but one which comes after much soul searching. Good thing. The issues are complex but important. We all need to understand them well to perform our function well. And although voting is only once or twice each year, it is a yearlong activity that takes discipline, alertness and research. Learn the issues. Understand the personalities. Separate fact from fiction and campaign rhetoric.

The time to be an American is on election day. Then it is our time to tell the candidates who is boss and what we expect from them. They work for us, after all. We do not work for them. Our reward is an open and intelligent nation able to do its own work and to help others succeed as well.

It rests on those of us who take this role seriously. Do you? Are you serious about your commitment to read and study and research the issues? Or do you push this off on others and fall victim to manipulators and power hungry charlatans?

It rests on you. And me, too. Are we up to this responsibility?

November 9^th will tell the story more fully, won’t it?

October 21, 2016