A day at the polls

June 14, 2006

EDITOR: For those who vote at the polls, have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes to create the precinct in which you vote? Well, here are a few insights from one who has "worked" the last four elections.

In Sonoma County, poll workers are fellow citizens who volunteer their time. They can be retirees, people who have taken a day off from work, or even students. Poll workers do receive a "stipend." An inspector gets $100 plus mileage. A clerk gets $75. Given the hours involved, it is obvious that they are not doing it for the money.

At 8 p.m. the precinct is closed but no one can go home at this point. (We would like to but we can't!) The election equipment must be broken down and the ballot boxes opened. Yes, the ballot box is opened in the precinct after the polls are closed. Ballots are sorted by absentee ballots returned at the poll, ballots voted in the precinct, and provisional ballots. The absentee and provisional ballots remain sealed. Ballots generated at the precinct are pulled out of the grey sleeves and secured in a separate box for counting at a processing center. We also reconcile the ballot counts to account for all ballots submitted during the day. This can be a testy experience as the workers are a bit punchy at this point in the day. If they are lucky, they can load up their cars by 9:15 or 9:30 p.m.

But it is still not over for some. The inspector and one clerk must turn in all the ballots and equipment to the processing center. Another clerk mails a separate ballot verification sheet at the nearest post office.

Then it is all over except for the counting. That, fortunately, is a job for others.

FRANK SIMPSON, Petaluma