FreeThinker
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After every election it seems that a certain district always screws up. Voting machines go missing, voters somehow are not on the list and cannot vote, voters get confused and end up choosing something they didn't mean to, etc.
This year to avoid the guilt of watching local elections become a media circus (I live in florida, remember 2000?) I volunteered as a pollworker.
When registering my new address to vote a month ago I asked what to do to volunteer and was directed to the county clerk of elections. They put me through a three hour class and assigned me to a precinct as a depty: controlling the line of voters and maintaining the 100 foot no political activity zone.
The county seems almost desperate to get younger volunteers, as almost all of the 50 or so people I went through the class with were over 60. Its great that alot of elderly people help in elections but they need younger people to do the physical stuff like standing up for 14 hours and setting up the machines.
Considering the american dissatisfaction with our election standards I'm amazed more people aren't volunteering. It's only a three hour class and one full day of work.
I just read that last paragraph again and wow that sounded smug.... anyway:
Before anyone mentions it: yes you need to be registered independent to volunteer and I am. From my previous posts on this site people might think I'm a die hard republican, but I'm not. There are a few key issues like abortion, stem cell research, immigration and religion I disagree with republicans on so it isn't the party that completely defines me. If there was a republican on the ballot that made his primary campaign issue on overturning roe v wade I wouldn't vote for him.
If you can maintain neutrality and are willing to forgo primary elections I would recommend volunteering in the next election.
I'll make another post election thread letting people know how it went after Tuesday.
See you at the polls!
This year to avoid the guilt of watching local elections become a media circus (I live in florida, remember 2000?) I volunteered as a pollworker.
When registering my new address to vote a month ago I asked what to do to volunteer and was directed to the county clerk of elections. They put me through a three hour class and assigned me to a precinct as a depty: controlling the line of voters and maintaining the 100 foot no political activity zone.
The county seems almost desperate to get younger volunteers, as almost all of the 50 or so people I went through the class with were over 60. Its great that alot of elderly people help in elections but they need younger people to do the physical stuff like standing up for 14 hours and setting up the machines.
Considering the american dissatisfaction with our election standards I'm amazed more people aren't volunteering. It's only a three hour class and one full day of work.
I just read that last paragraph again and wow that sounded smug.... anyway:
Before anyone mentions it: yes you need to be registered independent to volunteer and I am. From my previous posts on this site people might think I'm a die hard republican, but I'm not. There are a few key issues like abortion, stem cell research, immigration and religion I disagree with republicans on so it isn't the party that completely defines me. If there was a republican on the ballot that made his primary campaign issue on overturning roe v wade I wouldn't vote for him.
If you can maintain neutrality and are willing to forgo primary elections I would recommend volunteering in the next election.
I'll make another post election thread letting people know how it went after Tuesday.
See you at the polls!