Went to Election Inspector class today

[eilen]

And it was full but there were about 4 no shows so me and another guy who didn't manage to get on the class list were able to take it. Interestingly, every class so far there has been no shows but people waiting to see if they can take their places. I guess election inspectors have to take these classes every year.

Since I was last signing in, I noticed that there were 2 Republicans and the rest were Democrats. The class holds 20. Of course when we are assigned we will all be matched with equal number of Republicans at the polling stations.

At the end as they were collecting our tests and other paperwork and cleaning our poll pads + equipment, the people who worked there told us to expect that we will not get much for breaks, it will be so busy. They said the most busy general election days were Bill Clinton's first term and Obama's first term. They said that the registration volume indicates that this one will be busier that the both of those put together. Everyone seemed to have the same look on their face. The look of great purpose.

I actually thought this was a volunteer job. I was surprised to find out we actually get paid. I think I will donate it to the warrior's fund (whatever fund or charity that is set up for legal fees/bail money for those "protesters" actually our foot soldiers who are representing and being beaten, gassed, and shot for a better world in the cities targeted by the mercenaries sent by Barr/Trump).

[stillcool]

1. good for you...sounds interesting.

Is an 'election inspector', different than a poll worker? I live in a zero traffic-light town, and see the same people every time I vote... the only thing we don't talk about is voting.

[soothsayer]

2. Great news! And really cool.

What does it pay?

[eilen]

4. I don't think very much.. under $200 for a full day

5am-9:30pm.

It is pretty interesting. Everything is very uniform. There are locks on the cases, there is paperwork that counts everything we start with and what we end with. We have these iPads that make it easy to look each voter up and have them sign. Most of the situations that required a call to the Board of Elections has been dealt with so it is rare to have to call -- there is occasional issues that the poll manager takes over on and he has an extra ipad for that purpose. We can even either print or text polling place directions for people who show up in the wrong polling place. Everything is set up to be fair and secure--always a Republican and Democrat to witness or assist and to sign off on every tally of #affidavit ballots and tabbed ballots. Our ballots are filled in with pens and then scanned into the machine and you can request a confirmation (have the scan machine show you your vote) but have to request that beforehand.

I chose to do this because I notice most of our Inspectors when I go to vote are very elderly and I suspect they may not want to be exposed this year d/t the virus. I work in a hospital and am used to wearing a mask all day. I know that many have applied for absentee ballots and plan to vote by mail but there are plenty in my state that are not accustomed to doing that and going to vote in person is something they are not willing to give up. We also have early voting now in person at limited sites. I plan to request the day off at my regular job as well as the day after because I know I will just be exhausted by the end.

[samnsara]

3. i was a poll watcher and we are all mail in...we sat there (one of each party) and watched ppl take

...envelopes from one stack and put them in another. The machine did all the counting and the humans stacked them nice and neat and verified signatures..

[eilen]

5. They told us about poll watchers

what we do and do not have to do request wise. I think having poll watchers is interesting. It is good to have witnesses! Did you have to stay at one place the whole day or did you go around to different polling places?

We have an absentee mailing in option, an early voting in person (which I will do this year) and of course the in person on election day from 6am-9pm the polls are open.