LouC's input for the OP Part 2
Once again I am speaking from only 18 years of working the Polls in only 2 different States but I have also become a bit of a well read source for many more of the 50 States having made Election processes elsewhere a bit of a personal Study. So I have some experience as well as a well of a spectrum across the board in regards Election Work.
Folks have said expect a long day on Election Day. That is true. Hopefully you will be working in a State that well compensates its Poll Workers. But again, I would do it even if they didn't pay me.
Most States have Poll Workers show up to set up the Polling Place at least an hour before the Polls open. Here the Polls open at 8:00 AM and close at 8:00 PM. Some States, like Idaho, recommend Poll Workers to go to the Polling Place the day before to set up the room and equipment that is already on site. This might include arranging tables and chairs where the workers will sit, setting up cardboard voting booths, laying out electrical cords to power any electrical equipment; ensuring everything is set up to direct the flow of Electors traffic in the most efficient manner possible. Also, in regards directing the Electors, setting up will include setting out signage on the morning of Election Day to direct the Electors off the street and into the building where your Polling Place is located. Of course at the end of Election Day everything will need to be reversed, taken down and put away or back in order, before you can leave for home. It usually takes me and my crews about an hour to an hour and fifteen minutes to accomplish all of this.
Some others in this thread made mention of Poll Worker safety, even suggesting wearing bullet proof vests. Thank goodness none such has ever been the case in any of my many times working the Polls.
Oh I have overheard some real nasty BS comments from folks in line, rare instances they are. I though have seen an increase in total BS conspiracy commentary from some outspoken people in the last few years. This last Mid Term Election Cycle was the worst. In the mid term primary Election a husband and wife team came through and from the moment they stepped in until they thankfully left it was non stop conspiracy BS with the wife being downright rude with her crap and they double teamed the BS with every worker they came in contact with. Then I worked the Early Voting before the Mid Term and there was two weeks we had Early Voting available at our location, one of several in the county, and there was a large number of people spouting nonsense about "rigged elections" and "my vote doesn't matter" along with lots of disallowed hats and shirts, aka illegal Electioneering Items of clothing, and one person actually handed out, to a couple of my workers, business cards for a candidate. Truly illegal stuff, that! I had to mention a couple times that what people were saying aloud in line was "illegal electioneering talk not allowed in the Polling Place." Folks were surprised that what they were saying was disallowed but they complied nicely.
But we are obviously in a new era and I have lost crew members who have found themselves worried about working the Polls for health and safety reasons. I understand. I truly do. But it is in my blood now and I feel it is too important a mission to walk away form.
Long days, yes, hard work, yes, lots to know and master, yes, lots of new folks to meet and help, yes, lots of new people you will work with and get to know about, yes, a sense of accomplishment at being a part of something big, yes, worth it all, heck yes!
