Hey, check this one out...the avg age of a polling place worker...

[FirstLight]

http://www.rd.com/your-america-inspiring-people-and-stories/quick-study-on-voting-machines/article64864.html


-snip-

Snapshot: The Typical Poll Worker
Age: 72
Qualifications: registered voter
Shift: 14 hours
Pay: $7/hour
Job description: Computer-savvy people-person with stamina for long hours and stressful work environment.
Training: Two hours
Absenteeism: 33 percent
Workforce: 2 million at more than 180,000 polling places

-snip-

Sooooo...how can we ensure that the election isn't stolen if the polling workers are clueless?

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. I would bet that a good many of them

aren't doing the job for the money, but rather to be a part of the political process. If they are clueless, it would be because local government didn't train them properly. However, in my neck of the woods, the same folks work the polls every year, so I doubt that they are clueless. Do you have any stats on how many of these folks work the polls on a regular basis?

[FirstLight]

3. not sure...but look at the training time

2 hours?

for a 14 hour day???

yikes! that could be strenuous for a 72 year old... hmm, avg age of the poll workers is the same as McCain...

and if the technology is changing as fast as it is, how can these folks keep on top of it?

[glowing]

2. Well, its really hard for young people who need a pay check to work the polling

booth.. But you are correct about not knowing what is correct.. my ID has my old address on it, I know NOT correct by law, but it expires soon.. I'm not paying twice. Anyway, on primary day the other day, the lady tried to deny my vote.. I said no, I'm recorded in this precinct, the only thing you need to verify is my face and signature. My voter reg is for this precinct, you cannot deny my vote. The gentleman next to her had to tell her it was ok. So, they really don't know all the ins and outs of the process.. and I suspect most are on many elixers that cause training problems.

[FirstLight]

5. wow I never thought of that

...not just older, but on meds...easily bowled over by the guys who show up with the black boxes... and see how easily the Process is tainted?

[texastoast]

8. It is not like that

Why don't you contact your elections administrator and sign up to work so you can see for yourself.

[FirstLight]

10. I actually work at the location of a polling place

I don't know if hat would disqualify me from working as a poll worker, but maybe at another site?

next time the county guy calls to talk about the logistics of things, I will ask him.

my only poroblem is being a single mom and not having childcare til 9pm :(

Not only that, but I am so openly verbal about Obama, I don;t think I could keep my mouth shut!!!!

[texastoast]

7. Next time ask to see the election official at the poll if there is any question

Poll workers here are supposed to do the clerical work. If there is a question about ANYTHING here, the judge answers it for the voter and the poll worker.

[elocs]

4. I have been astounded over the years to see how many of the polls workers

where I have voted to be baffled and befuddled by so many things they should understand. Yes, most of them are past retirement and are not as mentally sharp as they should be and a 14 hour shift is probably too much to ask of them in one day.

[texastoast]

6. It's the judge's job here in Texas to be sure the polls work right

And thank goodness retired people will come out and do this vital work. It is very difficult to get full-time employees to leave their job for a 14-hour-day at the polls. It's not rocket science.

The judges conduct the election process. They are more extensively trained and generally supervise the poll workers and the voting process.

Most of us are very dedicated to the purity of the process, but it gets pretty interesting sometimes when joint elections are conducted.

[Webster Green]

9. Sign up to work the polls!

I wouldn't miss it for anything. My various employers know that I'll be running a precinct that day.