Day 1 as a Poll Worker

Well, obviously, I am not going to be boring anyone about stitching today other than to state minimal progress.

I had just drifted upstairs to get organized when I got a call from the Voter Reg office. I was on the stand-by list. Would I be able to work today?

Of course, just tell me where – which turned out to be one of the polling places in Berkeley. How about the three days after that? Why not?

BTW – this was about 08:40 with the polls opening at 0900. George dropped me off so that he would have the car.

It was an extremely interesting day. The training back a few weeks ago was actually useful and relevant. There were also a number of registration challenges that hadn’t been mentioned but were relatively easily solved with the software and database.

There were a fair number of people dropping off their mail-in-ballots. I think there were an equal number who brought along those ballets, but used them as crib sheets as they voted with the touch screen. Lots of students choosing to vote here rather than at their parents address. Very few people with arguments, anger, or other challenging issues.

Only one true PITA, and this person checked with us in the afternoon as to closing time, then came back at 3 minutes before door closing. Then wanted  one of the people who  had been there four years ago to help her. That was more than fine with me. Compared to that – packing up the printers, touch screens, computers and accountable items was a complete snap.

I was reasonably tired. So, of course, I walked the 4km home which wouldn’t have been a challenge at all had it not been for the elevation change… Even 200 meters seemed to be a mounting.

I am not walking home tomorrow….