A poll worker’s thoughts
I have worked at the polls for a number of years and have both pleasant and unpleasant experiences. For the public’s information, the poll workers are required to be at the poll before 6 a.m. and don’t leave until all the voting machines are downloaded and poll tallies are completed, after the polls close at 7 p.m. This procedure takes up to two hours or more. The results are then carried to the courthouse by the poll manager, where the absentee and affiliated ballots are logged in and verified and the memory cards are downloaded and paper work is checked.
During the voting process, identification is verified and checked against the poll roster, the voter signs the roster and a voters card is given to the voter. If an individual’s name is not on the printed rolls, a call is made to the clerk’s office, where the name is checked against the master roll. As poll workers we only do what the clerk’s office directs us to do. We don’t get paid enough to be threatened by saying, “I’ll call the Secretary of State,” if a voter who is not on the rolls isn’t allowed to vote. And I know about provisional ballots and their purpose.
There is a shortage of workers at the polls and to complain about poll operation, long lines and the wait to vote, maybe you should toss your hat into the ring and volunteer for poll duty. The complaints come from a select few, because on more than one occasion, I have heard a hearty thank you. That makes our day, because we don’t work for the pay.
I’ll close with a final thought: A little kindness and patience and respect for our fellow citizens will go a long way, whether you are a voter or poll worker.
Remember go vote and God Bless America.
Lee Roy Lollar, Jr.
Columbus
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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