(Full disclosure...I am a temp working in an Elections Office)
Yeah. Tomorrow we show up at 6:30 a.m. and work until...well...Buddha knows when. When you go to your polls tomorrow, take into consideration that someone had to call and recruit those people who are working the polling places. Someone had to set up all the signs. Someone had to set up all the tables. Someone had to train the workers. Someone had to get them to send back information so they can get paid. Someone had to supply and set up the polling stations. Someone had make sure there were extra pens, paper supplies, and the ubiquitous "I voted stickers." Someone had to deal with workers calling up the night before saying "well...I don't think I want to do it."
Yeah...betcha hadn't even given that a thought before.
(More rant below the fold)
Maybe you should think about our election set up process. Have YOU thanked your Elections office of late or are you just bitchin', moaning and complaining about all the "problems" that people often believe are there.
(Believe me....sometimes it's not conspiracy...it's stupidity....)
Some "stream of consciousness" notes to and about those I have run into today, yesterday, and, well, the period that I've been working there.
If you have lived somewhere for four years, you would think that perhaps you would have thought about registering SOONER than a week after the close of registration for the Presidential Primary?
If you come into the office saying that you already voted for someone who dropped out and you DEMAND another ballot so you can vote twice because you "heard it somewhere", it might be helpful if you can quote the source instead of saying "No...YOU'RE wrong."
Polls are not considered a "public place" in terms of wearing your candidate buttons, t-shirts, coats, balloons, etc. Please don't yell at the person asking you to remove them at the polling place.
Decline to State voters are NOT "Independents". American Independent Party is an actual party. If you signed up with the American Independent Party you CAN NOT come in and demand a Democratic ballot.
Decline to State voters do not get to vote for anybody in any party they want in any election. That period of time is called a "General Election."
Decline to State is NOT a "party."
A post office box is NOT a residence.
If you moved 2 years ago, if might have been nice if you reregistered instead of coming in to find you have to vote Provisionally or even...CANCELLED.
In California, the parties chose if they want non-partisan voters to participate in a Primary or not. Don't scream at the Elections Office staff and tell them it's "stoooopid." Call the parties. Tell THEM you think it's "stooooopid."
Regular mail is not delivered overnight. Make sure you know your county or State's requirements for receiving ballots. Some areas it can be post marked by Election Day...others your ballot needs to be IN THE OFFICE no later than the close of polls on Election Night.
Don't argue with an Elections Office about which party you registered with as they show a copy of your registration form showing quite the opposite of what you are claiming.
Working for a campaign DOES NOT MAKE YOU REGISTERED WITHIN THE PARTY OF THE CANDIDATE YOU ARE CAMPAIGNING FOR.
Keep in mind that blind and disabled people are allowed to vote. Don't bitch and complain about the time it takes to assist those folks to cast their ballot.
Just because someone has non-white skin, doesn't make them illegal. Don't start complaining about "illegals" at a polling place when you see someone of darker skin take a ballot.
Voting by Provisional ballot is not the death knell. It just means that a little research has to be done on your registration.
When you do a registration drive, don't sit on the registration forms for 6 months and for Buddha's sake DON'T LOSE THEM.
When you are handed a registration form or a second ballot request or any other form....WRITE LEGIBLY.
SIGN YOUR FREAKIN' BALLOT ENVELOPE. There is nothing sadder than seeing all those unsigned ballots just waiting for their folks to come put their John Hancock on them. When you get a phone call or letter from the Elections Office, OPEN IT UP BEFORE THE ELECTION. It could be an attempt to tell you to come in and sign your ballot envelope. Don't come in with the letter a week later asking to sign it. TOO LATE.
DON'T LIE. Here's a story to illustrate the attempts of some. I bring to you "the Mysterious Escaping Handicapped Wife."
A man comes into the office. He says that his handicapped wife was told that she had to come in and sign her unsigned ballot envelope. The man asked to take the ballot with him for her to sign. The clerk assisting him said that couldn't be done. She had to be there in person. The man said that it was no problem as she was down in the car. He could just take it down to her. The clerk said that he was going to go down with the man to the car and witness the wife's signature. The man's face blanched. He and the clerk walked out of the office. Down the stairs. Half-way down the block to a car. The clerk noticed that no one was in the car. The man "clicked" open his car and said to the clerk. "As you can see, my wife isn't here. Why can't I just sign it. No one will know any better as I sign everything for her." The clerk turned away and went back to the office muttering..."Oh. My. God."
So. When you go to the polls tomorrow. Stop and look around. Realize that nothing there just "happened." Someone had to work long and hard to make your voice count. Why not thank the person handing you your ballot. Why not call up your Elections Office and say "thanks."
