Do your part to ensure a fair election!

[Peanutcat]

Become an Election Judge! Find out how the election process really works! Spend 13 or more hours making sure that your election runs smoothly and is fair for all.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

1. wonder how many will try?

The best way to apply, if you aren't sure is to just
email your county's election director,
just ask how you can help out.

They generally will reply with specific directions if they need folks.

Anyway, how many people in this forum have worked at the polls?

What was it like?

[Mister Ed]

2. I signed up. Now - any advice from those who've done it before? eom

[Peanutcat]

3. Well--

First find out if they have some sort of orintation meeting or something to tell you how they do things in your part of the world. If not, you'll more than likely be paired, or grouped with people who've done this before. Bring snacks and something to pass the time with, either it'll be so slow you'll be bored out of your mind or so busy you can barely breathe. Br prepared to explain the procedures to voters time and time and time again, until you're about ready to scream. DO NOT let the more experenced members push you around, or make you do all the scut-work, you are all equals there. Take time to get an idea of what areas go with what precincts, try and get yourself a map of the precincts. That's all I can think of right now . . . . .

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

4. can some folks keep up updated on poll watching days?

I have reminded activists in my state to please apply now to be
a poll worker. Thanks for this post which reminded me.

Can folks come back to this forum and describe their day(s) as a poll
watcher?

This also would be a good way to shape the attitude of other poll watchers
etc who may be prejudiced against VVPB. Win them over.

North Carolina's State Board of Elections has a bunch of stuff
on it for election officials, including even videos -
http://www.app2.sboe.state.nc.us/newpages/official.htm

Maybe your state and or county office has such resources.


Also, here is a checklist for poll watchers:

VerifiedVotingFoundation prepared a poll monitor's guide to electronic voting pre-November 2004,
some of which was derived from Roxanne's excellent work, as noted in the credits, and more.

Here's the link to the 48 page document. It may take a while to load due to the graphics contained in the info sheets on different voting systems.
http://www.verifiedvotingfoundation.org/downloads/20041024.pollmonitorsguide.pdf