Poll Workers! Part I

One of my favorite players in the election process.  *Rubs hands in glee and giggles.*

Trivia:  How old was the average poll worker in the US in the 2004 election?

And the answer is...

72.  No joke. 

While we could take a look into the potential conflicts in interest or the lack of experience with technology, I don't want to pick older citizens. 

What I do want to pick on is the responsibilities of the average poll worker.  Thanks to New York City's Board of Elections website, we have some insight to what they won't be doing this year:

Candidates and poll watchers may not:

• Electioneer within a 100 feet radius of the entrance to your site.
• Disrupt proceedings.
• Participate in any manner in the conduct of the election.

Pretty straightforward stuff.  Now let's see what they "may" do:

Candidates and poll watchers may:

• Arrive at the poll site at 5:45 am to witness the opening of the polls &/or examine the ballot box.
• Examine the machine when it is not in use.
• Challenge voters.
• Be given information about who has voted, if the inspectors are keeping a list.
• Attend the canvass and tally at the end of the day.

Let's review.  Access to the machines when no one else is around.  Being the first at the polling place.  Challenging voters, keeping information about them, and being there for the canvass and tally.  So on election day, in NYC, from start to finish, poll workers will be there.  From the opening to the counting of votes.  Did you think they were just there to check your ID?  They're actually not supposed to do that either, according to these listed Voters' Rights:

• A voter does not need any identification or ID card to vote.
• A voter, who returns the large red voting machine handle to its original position before (s)he has finished voting, must obtain a court order to use the machine a second time. Advise the voter where the Supreme Court Justice can be found in your borough.
• Voters must be given emergency ballots during a voting machine breakdown.
• Any voter in the polling site before or at 9 p.m., when the police officer closes the door, is entitled to vote.
• Handicapped or illiterate voters may be assisted by:
  
  • an Inspector from each political party
  • any person they wish except their union representative or employer.

I hope we've all learned something today!  Know your rights or spread on the knowledge.  And if you didn't learn anything, maybe you've already been a poll worker.   Or become a backup for November!  I know I'm signing up; wish I woulda sooner.