It takes a huge effort to put on an election

To the editor:

I was an election worker on Tuesday, at Ron Larson Elementary School, and thank you for running my picture in the paper. This letter is written to let you and the public know how we as a team handled what was supposed to be a chaotic election.

In the district surrounding Larson Elementary, 3,019 registered voters are able to vote their opinions. For the Primary, we had just over 900 voters, 810 of whom came through “my” machine at the back of the room. On Tuesday, 1,228 came through the ballot box, with another 100 or so through other areas in the gym. Those others included questioned ballots and ruined ballots. A quick estimate showed that about 40 percent voted in this election.

The way the Election Board handled the uproar over the “list” was remarkable in its simplicity: The Chairperson was the only one who had the list, and we members of the team were simply asked to send anyone who had any questions to see her. We never did know the requirements, and only one person who entered that room made a fuss, asking over and over how to spell someone’s name. After informing him about our rule, I just ignored him, and he eventually turned away.

Manning the ballot box at the back of the room was fun because everyone agreed that our part was finally over, and many people were relieved that the awful commercials would cease and desist. I actually ran out of the stickers, but only 10 or 12 people missed getting one.

For the first time in my limited experience at this job, we had three different Poll Watchers present at different times during the day. None of the three even approached a voter, talked to us only because we chose to talk to them first (and without a voter in earshot), and each said we were doing an “excellent job.”

It takes a huge effort to put on an election! Setting up, handling every voter with a smile, making sure the rules are followed exactly as laid out by the Election Board, opening and closing the poll on time, counting and repacking equipment and making sure each of our team members gets breaks, food and stays hydrated for the 15 to 16 hours we are required to be there. To say nothing about making sure we don’t have any discussions, wear any kind of election paraphernalia and keep our areas neat and clean.

Many members of the public thanked us for volunteering, and we appreciate that, but actually we get paid for the time we put in. We are trained well, by both the state and borough for the elections, and with each election, we learn more about how to do the job efficiently.

It is really a privilege to be able to give back to our government in this way, and each of us looks forward to a day when more than 40 percent will pay attention and vote!

Marli Holden

Wasilla