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| 'We’ve had very few issues': poll workers share thoughts on fears of voter fraud 'We’ve had very few issues': poll workers share thoughts on fears of voter fraud | |
| (21 days later) | |
| If you haven’t voted early or sent in an absentee ballot, today you will be headed to the polls. And when you arrive, you will be greeted by poll workers who have volunteered to spend an incredibly long day ensuring your vote counts. | If you haven’t voted early or sent in an absentee ballot, today you will be headed to the polls. And when you arrive, you will be greeted by poll workers who have volunteered to spend an incredibly long day ensuring your vote counts. |
| We asked readers who have chosen to work at a polling place to share their thoughts about the experience: were they first-time volunteers or veteran poll workers? Are they inspired by this election or concerned by Donald Trump’s encouragement of his supporters to monitor polling stations for instances of voter fraud? | We asked readers who have chosen to work at a polling place to share their thoughts about the experience: were they first-time volunteers or veteran poll workers? Are they inspired by this election or concerned by Donald Trump’s encouragement of his supporters to monitor polling stations for instances of voter fraud? |
| The responses were thoughtful and varied in theme – although one common thread ran through most: poll workers wanted more Americans to know how overblown they feel threats of a “rigged election” are. In their own words: | The responses were thoughtful and varied in theme – although one common thread ran through most: poll workers wanted more Americans to know how overblown they feel threats of a “rigged election” are. In their own words: |
| I’ve been an election officer in Delaware for six election cycles, a total of 16 primaries, national, or local elections; we have never denied a person the right to vote. We want people to vote. We’ve never been informed that a voter’s ballot was deemed irregular, suspect, or invalid. That’s zero out of almost 20,000.” – Robert, 67, Delaware | I’ve been an election officer in Delaware for six election cycles, a total of 16 primaries, national, or local elections; we have never denied a person the right to vote. We want people to vote. We’ve never been informed that a voter’s ballot was deemed irregular, suspect, or invalid. That’s zero out of almost 20,000.” – Robert, 67, Delaware |
| For the most part, it’s a positive (although exhausting) experience. I do sense an increasing lack of confidence and trust in the actual ‘mechanics’ of the voting process over time. We use Diebold voting machines, and it’s not unusual for voters of both major parties to express doubts about the integrity and security of the electronic equipment … Sometimes I wish people could be made more aware of how difficult it actually is to pull off voter fraud on a local level. We’ve had very few issues – to date – with ‘observers’ lingering in the polling place, but we’re not entirely sure what to expect this time after Mr Trump’s suggestion that his followers monitor for voter fraud.” – Katherine, Ohio | For the most part, it’s a positive (although exhausting) experience. I do sense an increasing lack of confidence and trust in the actual ‘mechanics’ of the voting process over time. We use Diebold voting machines, and it’s not unusual for voters of both major parties to express doubts about the integrity and security of the electronic equipment … Sometimes I wish people could be made more aware of how difficult it actually is to pull off voter fraud on a local level. We’ve had very few issues – to date – with ‘observers’ lingering in the polling place, but we’re not entirely sure what to expect this time after Mr Trump’s suggestion that his followers monitor for voter fraud.” – Katherine, Ohio |
| And contrary to the stereotype of baby boomers and retirees doing the heavy civic duty lifting, nearly a third of respondents were between the ages of 25 and 34. One said she had been inspired to get involved by Bernie Sanders; another said she was tired of complaining about a lack of peer representation, so she decided to be the peer: | And contrary to the stereotype of baby boomers and retirees doing the heavy civic duty lifting, nearly a third of respondents were between the ages of 25 and 34. One said she had been inspired to get involved by Bernie Sanders; another said she was tired of complaining about a lack of peer representation, so she decided to be the peer: |
| I became a poll worker because I was inspired by Bernie Sanders, who asked younger people to get involved and make a difference ... Before every election, all Wisconsin poll workers must take at least one, one-hour class to refresh them on procedure and keep everyone updated on changes to the law ... I work at a polling location near the University of Wisconsin. We are gearing up for massive turnout and have increased the number of workers at many locations.” – Renee, 34, Wisconsin | I became a poll worker because I was inspired by Bernie Sanders, who asked younger people to get involved and make a difference ... Before every election, all Wisconsin poll workers must take at least one, one-hour class to refresh them on procedure and keep everyone updated on changes to the law ... I work at a polling location near the University of Wisconsin. We are gearing up for massive turnout and have increased the number of workers at many locations.” – Renee, 34, Wisconsin |
| A number of respondents discussed concerns over Trump’s “poll monitor” comments. Many mentioned their training sessions included new portions about how to interact with unaccredited poll monitors. Others cited Colorado’s training of poll workers on how to respond to a mass shooting at the voting booths: | A number of respondents discussed concerns over Trump’s “poll monitor” comments. Many mentioned their training sessions included new portions about how to interact with unaccredited poll monitors. Others cited Colorado’s training of poll workers on how to respond to a mass shooting at the voting booths: |
| This is my third election serving in California. We have a mandatory three-hour training session that goes through all the procedures and any possible issues we might face ... I have read Trump’s calls for monitoring polls – much of what he is encouraging is illegal in most states, and definitely in California. Poll watchers are allowed, but there are strict limits to what they can do, and any voter intimidation, of any sort, is prohibited. They can monitor what is going on, from a distance, but can’t interfere with what the workers are doing – including making any comments about a person’s eligibility to vote.” – Anne, 60, California | This is my third election serving in California. We have a mandatory three-hour training session that goes through all the procedures and any possible issues we might face ... I have read Trump’s calls for monitoring polls – much of what he is encouraging is illegal in most states, and definitely in California. Poll watchers are allowed, but there are strict limits to what they can do, and any voter intimidation, of any sort, is prohibited. They can monitor what is going on, from a distance, but can’t interfere with what the workers are doing – including making any comments about a person’s eligibility to vote.” – Anne, 60, California |
| I am extremely uneasy with Trump’s rhetoric encouraging unlicensed ‘poll watchers’. I took poll worker training at the county courthouse last week, where we were given the rundown on legal and illegal forms of poll watching and how to deal with it if we experience the latter form. There were many questions from the audience of 100 or so on a variety of situations, with reassurance from the county clerk who trained us that the law was on our side and that law enforcement can be called if facing activists who refuse to back down ... We were told in training that Kansas polling locations until January 2017 prohibit the carrying of firearms, and that any that carry them can be forced to leave immediately. I know, however, that I will not be volunteering to tell someone with a gun to leave the premises.” – Warren, 30, Kansas | I am extremely uneasy with Trump’s rhetoric encouraging unlicensed ‘poll watchers’. I took poll worker training at the county courthouse last week, where we were given the rundown on legal and illegal forms of poll watching and how to deal with it if we experience the latter form. There were many questions from the audience of 100 or so on a variety of situations, with reassurance from the county clerk who trained us that the law was on our side and that law enforcement can be called if facing activists who refuse to back down ... We were told in training that Kansas polling locations until January 2017 prohibit the carrying of firearms, and that any that carry them can be forced to leave immediately. I know, however, that I will not be volunteering to tell someone with a gun to leave the premises.” – Warren, 30, Kansas |
| In many ways, this election has been unprecedented. We’ve heard as much from you, the voters, who report disillusionment, frustration, and fear. But on election day, the candidates are done campaigning – it’s in your hands: | In many ways, this election has been unprecedented. We’ve heard as much from you, the voters, who report disillusionment, frustration, and fear. But on election day, the candidates are done campaigning – it’s in your hands: |
| I take time off work these days to work elections, and I love doing it. It’s a long day: you arrive in the precinct at 6.30am and can’t leave until 8 or 9pm, but every time is exciting. After all the hype of the campaigns, it falls on Americans lining up quietly and each having an equal say. You see voters who show up each election, some who are elderly and normally homebound but are determined to participate, others who are wide-eyed and eager first-timers … I’m flabbergasted by anyone who would sit out this election. Even if you are fed up with the presidential race, show up and have your say. And you get a free sticker!” – Jeff Rogers, North Carolina | I take time off work these days to work elections, and I love doing it. It’s a long day: you arrive in the precinct at 6.30am and can’t leave until 8 or 9pm, but every time is exciting. After all the hype of the campaigns, it falls on Americans lining up quietly and each having an equal say. You see voters who show up each election, some who are elderly and normally homebound but are determined to participate, others who are wide-eyed and eager first-timers … I’m flabbergasted by anyone who would sit out this election. Even if you are fed up with the presidential race, show up and have your say. And you get a free sticker!” – Jeff Rogers, North Carolina |