I'm a poll watcher Tuesday

[leftofthedial]

Never done it before. They're giving us some training Monday.

Any advice from DUers?

[DenverDem]

1. Hassle white guys and women with big hair.

Just kidding.

Keep your eyes open for publicans hassling anyone.

[leftofthedial]

4. considering the precinct I'll be in

there will be plenty of those to hassle!

[Spiffarino]

2. Yeah. Don't let them get away with anything

:grr:

And thanks for protecting the vote! :yourock:

[Gothmog]

3. Have fun

I just did the online legal training for the campaign. I am on the Kerry Edwards voter protection team for Broward county.

[leftofthedial]

5. wow, the eye of the storm

I'm in Colorado. I'll be in a predominantly Repuke suburb of Denver. Should be pretty quiet.

[RoyGBiv]

9. You are SO cool ...

Best wishes and stay safe. These bastards will stop at nothing.

[napi21]

6. Just make sure nobody harrasses any voters!

I know they will be giving you a toll free number to call if you have a problem.From what I've heard, the problems are going to arise from some people challenging someones right to vote. It's illegal for anyone to campaign within 150 feet of the polling places. At least that's what was posted here in Ga.

Beyond that...thanks for your help! I'm sure your trainers will tell you all you need to know.

[democrat in Tallahassee]

24. I;m a poll watcher in tallahassee; did it in 2002. just watch things

don't be intrusive unless you HAVE to. The repugs would love nothing better than to have a juicy story of dems hassling voters.

[intheflow]

7. Me too!

Hoping I get some sweet old granny Republican lady who's devoted her life to fair elections working their side, not some souless sharky smarmy young Repug who'll challenge all colored people.

A lot of old ladies (my mother included) are voting for Bush simply because they can't imagine a president would ever lie to the American people (stuck back in the Roosevelt era). Then I think it could be okay to have both sides monitoring.

But so help me, if I get stuck with some smarmy rich frat brat, I may lose it.

[intheflow]

8. Me too!

Hoping I get some sweet old granny Republican lady who's devoted her life to fair elections working their side, not some souless sharky smarmy young Repug who'll challenge all colored people.

A lot of old ladies (my mother included) are voting for Bush simply because they can't imagine a president would ever lie to the American people (stuck back in the Roosevelt era). Then I think it could be okay to have both sides monitoring.

But so help me, if I get stuck with some smarmy rich frat brat, I may lose it.

[Indiana_Dem]

10. Me, too. I have a meeting tomorrow morning at 9am.

I didn't really want to do it and spend 12 hours or so there instead of on here or watching TV on all the excitement but I guess I'll be there because they don't have enough help. I've never done it either. Hope I do a good job. I WILL have my black hoodie on though!!! LOL

[DrRock]

11. ^

Where does one sign up for this?

[Indiana_Dem]

12. I was chosen/asked to by my local Dem headquarters.

I just happened to be standing there one day and they asked me. I don't know how else you can sign up but they need people all over the place.

[leftofthedial]

14. call your local Dem HQ and offer

I was "volunteered" by a friend, but had planned to do it anyway. Cleared my calendar for the day for the purpose.

[autorank]

13. I'm poll watching in VA

Fortunately, we have a civilized state and our only function is to listen for voter names, check them against our list of those who said they'd vote, and feed that information to the other volunteers so they can call, cajole, etc. all those canvased to GOTV. i have major sympathy for our poll watchers in OH and FL. OH looks like it is going to be ugly with the filthy republicans. i hope the voters follow a DUer's advise and loudly demand the repuke poll watcher's name and address. make the sleazoids think twice.

good luck!!!

[leftofthedial]

15. that's what they say it's like here

just check the names, count the # of voters, etc.

But with CO as a swing state now and the repukes up to their usual no good, it will be interesting.

[Wickster]

16. I'm a poll worker.

With all the problems with voting machines, we decided to sign up last year to work the polls to make sure that things are done on the up and up. We have worked the primary, the run off, and the early voting (for over two weeks). We will also work on the 2nd. We have gone to three training sessions. I can tell you that the folks we have worked with (usually in their late 60's and 70's) appear to be very honest and concerned citizens. We have to work long hours (starting the evening before to set everything up); we have to be there before 6 AM - polls open at 6:30 and we may not leave until all the numbers balance - the same number of voters in the voting books as the votes on the machines. So with the polls closing at 7:30, we might not get home until after 11. We can not leave the polling place except to go to the bathroom. Sitting down is a luxury. Voters don't read the signs to turn off their cell phones and some get angry when you ask them to please turn them off. Voters don't read ANY of the signs and everything has to be explained to every voter. By the end of the night after all the reconciliation is done, everyone is exhausted. Feet are swollen, hip joints are burning and knees are screaming. Not all voters are as nice as they could be - some seem to be safety wired in the pissed off position.

Polling locations aren't always the greatest, either. This past summer at the polling place I worked, the AC automatically shut down at 4 pm. The place was full of voters and the temp quickly soared. The polls/sauna closed at 7:30. The voters in line didn't get through until after 8. It was miserable, we didn't get out until after 10. And that was with a slow turnout. This is expected to be a record turnout.

Poll workers have to remain "above it all". We are not allowed to discuss politics. In explaining the ballot we can not show favoritism. (Talk about difficult!) In no way can we indicate who we prefer. We try to make the voting experience pleasant - particularly for the new voter. We get complaints but rarely compliments. We deal with all levels of intelligence and are not allowed to show frustration. Machines break down and voters get tired waiting in line. It really is a thankless job - I never knew how difficult until I did it.

During the latest training session, we were told that we would be watched! Swell! I can tell you that with all the inspectors and photographers that come by during a voting day, one or two more watchers don't really matter. Too bad watchers can't help, because I know we will need it. Turn out will be huge. Watchers have to have a place to sit where they can watch but are not supposed to be intrusive or interact with any voter or worker. Other than that, I suggest you bring a pillow to sit on (most chairs available are of the steel folding variety), plenty of water and something to snack on because watching will probably be really boring.

[leftofthedial]

20. whew! what a sacrifice for your democracy

there should be some sort of recognition for poll workers.

[Wickster]

23. Thanks but

it isn't such a sacrifice. Others died for us to be able to vote. Voting is important to me and I was really concerned about possible voting irregularities - so I decided to work to make sure that each vote counted (at least in my district). Luckily my district uses machines they have had for over 12 years (not Diebold).

I am really amazed at all the old folks doing this, tho'. It is really difficult for some of them but they do it and have done it for years!

I hope your district voting goes smoothly.

[WatchWhatISay]

17. I did this in the 2002 election

MOST IMPORTANT: To anyone who is a pollwatcher. Report any problems to dem headquarters or election officials immeadiately. That evening after the polls have closed or the next day is TOO LATE!

This year I am an alternate election judge, which is basically the same thing. The other party gets to supply the election judge since our precinct voted for the dark side in the last governors election.

Just make sure that you remain reasonable, or the election judge can have you removed, if they feel you are interfering with conducting the election.

And another important thing. You cannot talk to any voters, or the other voting clerks. If you see a problem you need to discuss it with the election judge only. They may just be unaware of something, so give them the benefit of the doubt. But if they refuse to correct something that is wrong, GET ON THE PHONE AT ONCE!

[leftofthedial]

22. I wonder do I use my cell phone or is there a phone there

My cell battery won't make it for 6 hours, much less 12.

I hope there won't be any problems, but I'll be on the alert if there are. Thanks for the advice.

[WatchWhatISay]

25. I can't answer that

but its not that likely that there will be a phone there. You should check that out on Monday. Bring the charger for your phone. There will more than likely be an electrical outlet.

In 2002 if we left, we could not come back. This year you can leave only after you have been there for five hours. Either way, bring things to eat and drink.

Ideally, there should be a poll watcher there when they open the box containing the ballots (or I guess to watch the setup and tests, if it is an electronic machine, if that is the case). And, ideally, the poll watcher should stay throughout the day and afterward to make sure the ballot box is sealed and delivered directly to election central. This means staying from about 6am to 8-10 pm, and then making a trip to election cental. You'll either miss any vote watching parties or likely be too tired to go to them. It's pretty greuling.

[Renew Deal]

18. Bring something to drink.

And if you want to butter up the poll workers, bring them something to drink or eat. Dunken donuts/Krispy Kreme work nice.

[leftofthedial]

19. Thanks for the tip

I'll bring goodies. Won't do either of those brands though.

[goodwalt]

21. I have the title...

GUIDANCE COUNSELORS DON'T KNOW SHIT!

[LittleWoman]

26. Poll worker for 15 years in Ohio

I have worked at the polls in Franklin County, Ohio for 15 years. Our day does indeed start at 6 a.m. and does not end until everyone who is in line at 7:30 when the polls close has voted and we have done all the paperwork. We have touch screen machines so there is no actual counting (no possible recounting either). If you are going to be a poll watcher make sure you are well informed on your responsibilities and the rights of the voters. In our county there is an equal number of workers from both the Republican and Democratic party with the presiding judge being from the party which carried the precinct in the last major election. Most of the workers from either party, at least the ones I have observed, take their job seriously and try to make sure that everyone who is eligible gets to vote. There are a few out there who go over the line and that is where you can help. Be polite, but firm and know what you are talking about. Have a cell phone if you are allowed and have all the appropriate phone numbers including those of the board of elections. It is not going to do anyone any good to resort to shouting etc. In Ohio the poll workers can eject the challenger if he/she disrupts the voting process. Furthermore, it appears that the challenger has to have personal knowledge as the basis of the challenge and not just have a list of names from the Republican party. Because of Blackwell and various lawsuits and judges the instructions seem to be changing so you have to keep up.

Note: There appear to be many areas that still need poll workers so if you live in one of them it may not be too late to sign up. It is a long day, but it is well worth the effort.

[Eurobabe]

27. I get to observe what they do at my poll AFTER they close

that should be interesting....

Anything I should LOOK for?

[Sinnerman]

28. Whats up with Michigan