Civic service on Election Day: CEO residents serve as poll workers

This semester some members of our Community Engagement Opportunities (CEO) program volunteered as poll workers to fulfill their service requirements for the program and give back to the community. PH Apartments resident Eliana S. shares her experiences and takeaways from the three times she has helped out as an election official, including this month’s presidential election:

Working as an Election Official is something that I did for the first time in 2020. At the time I chose to do it as a sixteen year old because it felt like something I could do to help make our democracy work without being able to vote. I went in at 6am, ready to start my shift and was greeted with a whole staff of Election Officials willing and ready to show me the ropes. I had such a great experience that I decided to get back into it for the August election of this year, and then again in the presidential election. This November I felt like I again owed it to the safety of our democracy to give me time to help facilitate a safe, fair election.

Between all of my times as an Election Official I think I’ve tried every job, and I can safely say that there is something for everyone with any skill set. From greeting voters at the door and helping them make sure they are at the right ward, to registering voters and checking proof of address, to giving out ballots to voters, to even processing absentee ballots there’s a little bit of everything. In this presidential election since I came in for the closing shift there was already an established absentee ballot crew, so I started my evening greeting voters and helping them find their correct ward and get them started on the voting process. I really enjoyed getting to help problem-solve and make sure that everyone was able and ready to cast their vote. Later in the evening I switched to the poll book, meaning I checked IDs of voters, located them in the list of registered voters, and gave them their slip to go and pick up their ballot. This job was unique in that we had to check for the right kind of IDs (out of state licenses don’t count!) and if they needed a different proof of ID we got to help them figure out how to go about getting that.

The CEO scholarship encouraged and supported me in my work as an Election Official this November by giving me the push I needed to get out there and better my community. There is always a need for more Election Officials, but between my school and work commitments I was beginning to doubt if I would have the time needed to work this election. CEO provided me with an open door to be able to have this experience and do this work, while also allowing it to be recognized for a goal outside of my personal desire. As someone with a very busy schedule, this was the push I needed and I’m so thankful to have gotten it and taken this opportunity. I really liked being able to pursue service in my community for the CEO scholarship in an avenue that was meaningful and important to me personally.

Working at the polls is a very special experience for me. Aside from getting to work with and getting to know individuals from all walks of life with a similar passion for civic service and democracy, I love getting to be part of facilitating our democracy. I’m proud to be part of making sure that everyone who is eligible gets to exercise their right to vote. I enjoy seeing the inner workings of an election, helping count the ballots, sealing them up to head to City Hall and doing other inside tasks. It makes me feel like I am truly making a difference in my community, state, and country. I would encourage anyone who has ever considered this opportunity to take it and give it a try. All of the Election Officials are happy to help you become comfortable and want to help you succeed.