Go hug an election worker!

I an rather cynical and jaded when it comes to anything political -- I've never worked for a campaign or pushed ballot initiatives or done anything remotely similar -- but I have to admit, it was a rather unique feeling to walk the sealed boxes of marked ballots out to someone's car after the polls closed (to go to the collection center).

It feels very "real" and "important" -- especially after reading and listening to all the news leading up the the election and feeling overwhelmed /hopeless /pissed off / etc. Sounds corny, I know.

No matter what your political persuasion or even if you think the whole thing sucks and is rigged -- I'd recommend everyone try working at an election place once.

Fuck you 4 winds. 

Paid or not, it was an unexpected and rewarding "behind-the-scenes" experience.

They call us "volunteers."

Everyone I worked with seemed motivated by "civic involvement" in their local community. There was the local little league coach who knew everybody. Retired federal workers. A recent immigrant.  Some seemed rich. Some seemed middle class. Some seemed in need of the paycheck. 

Everyone worked really hard to pull it off smoothly -- I never realized what it takes to pull off voting in a democracy. You can't fuck up.

Try it before you bad mouth it. Then get back to me. I certainly don't seek your accolades.

Slick - the cool part was when some of the kids that attended our local elementary school showed up to vote for the first time in the gym that they once played in.

Someone would shout "first time voter!" and the whole place clapped.

I don't know how to describe it without sounding goofy, but it was a good feeling.

TOD - training and pre set up was mandatory as well as the 15+ hr day, so if you want to calculate, a guess iit's closer to $14 an hour, no benefits, taxes taken out of that. Supposedly you get a check in 2-3 months.

Your State may pay higher or not, I have no idea.

Google says:

Wages of an election judge vary by region, but all are relatively similar. For example, a Chicago-based election judge earns $170 upon completion of training and service on Election Day. In Maryland, election judges earn $162.50 in Baltimore County and$175 in Hartford County.

Did you ever notice that the Zone (myself included) has the wonderful propensity to turn the cutest little puppy topic into something big and terrible? I love you guys.

Hey 4Winds -- if you are that hung up on semantics and the exact meaning of the word "volunteer," please tell the next infantryman you meet that he's doesn't deserve to be paid, because everyone knows we have an all volunteer army.

I'm pretty sure the term can mean something like "doing something you don't have to do 'cause you just want to do it".  As in: "You volunteered to Zone like an asshole." As opposed to: "I kinda wish you had to spend a week with Bluelight and his camera in his white van down by the river, involuntarily." (Now that's a mini-movie I might watch).

If you are implying I only did it for the money, then yes, "Fuck You." 

I learned some new things yesterday and  the whole experience was pretty cool. Sure I wanted to say fuck you to some of the people in my neighborhood who acted like dickheads to the staff behind the desk -- but you obviously can't -- that was part of the experience. Most of the voters were very polite, regardless of their political affiliation. 

If you want to have a pleasant conversation about the "unknown" joys of supporting the democratic process in a once-every-couple-years-"non-career" way, I'm up for that. too. Just don't come off like such a disparaging bitch.  

For now, I think I'll pass on getting a hug from your online persona.

Regarding hacking the election at the local poling place: I couldn't see any obvious holes in the paper ballot system we have here that could be exploited without a big coordinated production.

In brief, all the equipment is locked with multiple numbered plastic tags. And every tag number is recorded when the seal is broken or equipment is resealed. You can only open certain equipment the hour before the polls open.

Ballots are placed in to a digital scanner by each voter personally, Voter numbers (not vote counts) get posted publicly each hour, along with registrant tallies and other data. Everything must match up.

Paper ballots fall into a box in the scanner and the boxes are locked and switched out at the 500 mark in public by the Chief Judges (one from each of the two major parties) with lots of witnesses present. Each ballot has to be accounted for.

Scanners are trucked to the collection center in a different vehicle than the ballots. I don't know what happens to them there.

The biggest "problem" we had was people getting campaign advertisements outside the polling place on their way in, and carrying them inside. A big no-no, but hard to stop people from setting them down in the booths and leaving them there. I don't think it was malicious in most cases --- people just didn't have a recycle bin handy so they set them down to free up their hands. 

And once we had a paper jam in the scanner - and we only had one scanner. Of course this happened at 7:15 in the morning when the line was out the door.  People were not too happy to wait an extra 15 minutes while the problem was fixed.

And then there are always people who come to the polling place who are assigned to vote elsewhere. But there is a system in place to let them vote without leaving.

<Quite honestly, Alan should probably donate his earnings to the DNC.>

Umm.... you're not getting it.....this post is not about party affiliation. I suppose it's reasonable to guess I support the Democrats because I'm a deadhead?, but that's just an unfounded assumption on your part. Poll workers must act totally non-partisan while "on the job."

This post is simply an effort to tell people who never worked at a polling pace before (like me) about what it's like to do it --  and share that's it's a cool thing to do. I never knew what goes on and what the job entails. It's a lot of work. (Personally, I haven't worked a 15 hour day in a long time and being "on" for so long is exhausting.)

FYI: "Hugging someone" is just my way saying "appreciate the often unappreciated people behind the scenes."  It's not literal. Are you a simpleton? 

And who are you to be policing trashy language on the Zone? I'm too lazy to pull up any of your Nazi posts, but look in the mirror. Are you implying that you would physically assault someone for cussing at you in person? You're a real fighter, eh? Tell us about the last time that happened. When's the last time you slapped a guy or beat the shit out of someone?

And finally, maybe you are a nice woman in 3D, but you sure come off like a cranky bitch online. Why fuck with me about a "public service" post to get some perceived meltdown? Not gonna happen. Is this your favored style of Zoning? Maybe try bad humor or pictures (my go-to) -- it's more entertaining.

(I will argue with you about the merits of owning a 12 foot  wooden Pelican, if you really do know something about salt water sailing.)

Now go back to ignoring my posts like I do yours. I generally don't "talk" to people on the Zone for this very reason. 

Stu my friend.... I saw no infiltrators or foreign spies, but we did host one service dog wearing a suspicious-looking collar. 

As a fellow somewhat-old-guy who also regularly carts around heavy stuff, you should know I can't chisel or sand a chunk of stone 15 hours straight. I'm not used to working that long in a day. The serious labor has to come at my own pace.. with music and breaks. (Hell, I can't even stand up for 15 hours straight.) At least when I do that stuff, I'm not talking constantly and I can make mistakes.

Our polling place had lines out the door at 7 am (in the rain) and the line didn't diminish until 330 or so and then quickly picked right up again until 7ish. People trickled in til 8. As I might have mentioned, we helped over two times the amount of people that usually vote there in a midterm. We had 10 voting stations set up. We probably could have used more stations and more "volunteers." 

You had to repeat the same thing to hundreds of people over and over, in three minute interactions. It was surprisingly exhausting to be "on" constantly and not screw up  -- first was the voter verification process, then explain how to fill out a 2 page paper ballot (looks more confusing than it is, but people get scared they will mess it up), then explaining the scanning process, etc. 

My state does not require picture ID. So you ask name, Date or Birth, and address and then have them verify and sign a piece of paper with their voter info. Then send them to the next table. Repeat over and over with a smile. 

No time for fooling around. Not a minute to check a cell phone (not permitted in polling pace) or time to chat with co-workers. Quick lunch break at 3. Even bathroom breaks were far between.

Sounds so easy I know -- I thought so --  but try it for 15 hours. I have a new-found appreciation for call center customer service workers in servitude.

And there was a sense of nervousness and excitement  (like pre-Dead show excitement) all through out the day that permeated the place -- which was fun, but also quite draining. 

But, I'd probably do it again and would encourage others to try it. Surprisingly rewarding.

More importantly, is that T-Rex dog costume pictured above sporting a penis?

That's a real product -- not a photoshop pic.

I just noticed that. --- Weird

Thanks all-- and appreciate any"hugs" but  please send the love to all your local community "volunteers."  Whether they get paid, or not. And your pool guy, if you have one.

Noodler... I've been meaning to start a paleo-stone tool thread if I ever get around to taking some pictures of my collection. Some stuff I found, mainly out West. Your input would be appreciated. Keep an eye out for that.

Wait - you actually wake up eager to "battle" an online persona or two by writing insulting posts on a dbmb? How old are you... fourteen?  You do realize that these are only words on a black screen typed by who knows who, so you are probably "battling" fictional characters.... imaginary enemies. When you read your Nancy Drew books, do you spend all day "battling" the bad guys in your brain?  I'm guessing, yes.

I used to play army when I ws a kid -- we used to pick sides and pretend to shoot one another... that was fun. Is this a grownup version of that? 

Unfortunately, I'm not good with groups... so can I be a "lone wolf"? I used to really like that little green army man that was crouched over with a machine gun...he was cool...can I be him? Fuck it, I'm not gonnna even ask... I'm just going to declare that I'm not on anyone's side. Sorry.

You, young lady, are obviously a shit-stir-er.... one who takes pleasure in riling up others for their own shot of dopamine. I don't understand that, but go right ahead. I mean, who shits in a thread about working at a polling station? Do you have a political axe to grind? Your one comment leads me to believe you might a disgruntled Republican and you think I'm some goody-two-shoes Democrat that needs to be denigrated...who knows? All in your imagination.

And I've never been called a "hump" before... I would have phrased it a"du I dumb hump"... it sounds more poetic.  But in my world of 3D friends, we just say Fuck You to each other and be done with it.... like grownups.

(By the way, my real name is Steve and I am an astronomer living in New Mexico. But I used to live in Fairfax next door to Phil and that's how I know him -- actually my mon knows him more, but I did deliver his newspaper back in the day.)

Signed, Your friend, Steve

Hounder, if you are a chick, I might watch.... as long as the kowtowing has nothing to do with real cows or other barnyard animals -- please post a link or two.

By the way - what exactly is cow-towing? No, don't tell me... I want to be surprised.

Ok 4 Winds..we can be cordial Zoners. My rv was a Four Winds so I actually have good connotations with that handle.

I do swear like a sailer (I didn't think you would be offended, being a sailer yourself)... just don't fuck with my feel good threads or I'll tell Bluelight you are actually Susan from YouTube and give him your personal email. By next week you could have a white van parked in front of your house. Do you really want that? (I think he actually knows something about good cooking, so it could be advantageous, if you take him in.)

We can banter or trade innocuous insults if you must, but please leave the soft trolling and meanness (that word looks funny) and threats to the other professionals on this board. It doesn't suit you -- keep it classy. Talk to me about sailing or whatever you know best. Or Noodler's cool arrowheads. Maybe something even Phil Lesh related. (You won't believe me, but if you are nice, I have the ability to name a star after you -- one of my responsibilities here at the telescope data center.)

And I don't want to be involved in your online Zoner World War. Keep me on the sidelines. (I don't want to be neutral Switzerland....more like a laid back Iceland).

Signed, Steve

Ned: Yeah, you never know what instigates people to be nasty around here -- that's why I try to avoid them (people). I probably should have studied under Jane Goodhall and her primates instead of going into astronomy. Maybe I think the the aliens will be better company. I don't think even the Reptilians would muck up a thread about working an election.

I'll save my compliments and stockpile my excruciating clever retorts for now. Judging by my (faulty) posting memory, I don't think I've ever conversed with "her" (maybe it's a dude) before this incident. Some of what I read from her makes me cringe. I'm not cool with the Nazi references. So I just ignore her posts.

As you can probably see from thee last 18 years or so, I prefer the post and run Zoning style, since I am mainly here for info-tainmemt and not conversation or friendship. I think of you all as fictional characters in a weird book. However, I did meet 2 ace Zoners in 3D recently -- good peeps! 

PS - We don't really give the stars proper names -- those commercials were a sham --- stars are numbered, but we do have an informal system to give them "nicknames." Someone way before me assigned all the "Grateful Dead" names.

One other question, why do you call yourself Alan if your name is Steve?

1. There seem to be some truly mentally ill people that stop by here. 

2.  I think of you all as fictional characters in a weird book. I'm fictional, too.

3. I occasionally use my middle name.

Hmmmmm.... I am allowed to end this conversation? (Maybe that should be a Viva feature  -- OP gets to close his/her own thread.)

It started out so optimistic, now I am scraping my shoes on the mat. I'm actually starting to miss the mini-movie threads.

Maybe I can enter it in the Zonies "Most Skewed Thread " category, though I'm sure there has been worse.

I think everyone should stop, take a deep breath, and get a friend or neighbor to rub some of this elixir on our private parts. I guarantee you will feel better.

I think the main ingredient is organic kowtow.  Aahhhhhhhh, I feel calm already. 

Now I love each and every one of you --  like a mother cockroach loves her brood.

I'm out of here ---see ya in another thread.