Pollworker Newsletter

Volume 1, Issue 4
Summer 2005

Meet Your Election Team: The Absentee Department

More than 60,000 Polk County voters opted for the convenience of voting in advance of last year’s presidential election, and we expect early voting and absentee voting to continue to grow in popularity.

Cathy Bridges heads up absentee and early voting under the guidance of Assistant Supervisor of Elections Barbara Osthoff. Jennifer Wisnesky completes the team of permanent staffers who supervise up to 25 temporary workers who put in 12 hour days for weeks in advance of election day.

Most Polk voters vote by mail from the comfort of their local home, but many request ballots to be mailed to them overseas or in other states. Ballots were mailed to all 50 states and many countries around the world during 2004.

When an absentee ballot is requested, workers issue the ballot that correlates to the voter’s home address. Our computer system verifies that the correct ballot is issued, and each day we walk giant laundry tubs full of ballots to the Bartow Post Office for mailing. We don’t go home empty-handed, though--thousands of voted ballots are also picked up from the Post Office every day! Each voted absentee ballot envelope is “checked in” and the voter is credited with voting. That insures our poll workers know a voter has already cast a ballot and the voter is not allowed to vote at their precinct.

Ensuring security is a big part of Barbara, Cathy and Jennifer’s job. All absentee work is done in view of the public and under the watchful eye of our security cameras. The signature on each voted ballot envelope is verified to ensure it matches the signature we have on file. Once verified, ballots are kept in a sealed, fire-proof vault until time to open them for counting on Election Day, when teams of workers separate the ballots from their envelopes and begin feeding them through Accu-Vote units—the same equipment used at the polls.

As you can see, the absentee and early voting process is pretty complex, like the work you do on Election Day—just imagine working Election Day every day for about a month!

STORIES WANTED
Have a story to share? Tell us about your first time serving as a poll worker. How about that “unique” voter processing experience? Monkeys in the polling room? We can all learn from each
other’s experience — or just share a chuckle!
Send your story to:
Precinct Services
PO Box 1460,
Bartow, FL 33831

News Notes

RECENT EVENTS . . .

• Last month, 18 Precinct Clerks attended our first ever Precinct Clerk’s Forum. As part of this pilot project, these folks toured our entire operation and participated in a round table discussion covering a variety of issues involving election day activities. The event was a tremendous success, and similar events are being planned. These folks also shared some excellent ideas for improvement that will likely be implemented for our 2006 elections.

OFFICE HELP . . .

• The response to our ad for office help in our last issue was tremendous! Thank you to everyone who called in! As of now, it looks like we won’t need immediate help, but will let you know well in advance when opportunities will be available.

2006 ELECTION DATES . . .

• Mark your calendars now for September 5th, and November 7th 2006!

BEHIND THE SCENES . . .

• Ever wondered what goes on at Election HQ while you’re working at the polls? Here’s your chance to find out! Join us on either September 20th, or October 19th from 9-12 for a behind-the-scenes tour of our operation. Space is limited, so call 534-5858 now to reserve your seat!
  

Municipal Elections

We’ve had several calls asking about the upcoming municipal elections, so we thought we’d give you some basic information on how these elections differ from countywide elections.

During a municipal, or city election, the City Clerk acts as the supervisor of that election. That means they are responsible for completing the preparations normally handled by the county Supervisor of Elections, i.e., locating and contracting with polling locations, hiring poll workers, arranging for use of polling place equipment and supplies, notifying voters of their polling location, etc. They often contract with Election Headquarters for various types of assistance in conducting the election.

With regard to hiring poll workers, the City Clerks often ask us for a list of the poll workers who typically staff the polling locations they have selected. They may or may not choose from that list, but often do, and the process is usually quite similar—they will select a precinct clerk who will in turn contact workers to fill the remaining positions. Once the poll workers have been selected, Election Headquarters will provide the mandatory training, and will loan the city or municipality the supplies needed to conduct the election. Poll workers are paid by the city or municipality at the rate they determine to be appropriate for their election.

While Election Headquarters provides a great deal of assistance, the City Clerk is ultimately responsible for any decisions related to the election.

Elections are scheduled for following cities this fall:

• Lakeland November 1st

• Auburndale November 8th

POLL WORKERS RULES-2004

   Dedicated to PJ and Crew
By John McArthur & Pete Wesley

• Six o'clock you MUST be here Don't be late! Don't be late!

• Kid can come. Assistants, too. Bring them in. Bring them in.

• Wear you red and white and blue. Keep your space neat as a pin.

• Take a break for rest and lunch (attitude adjustment!)

• Then go back and join the bunch. Smiling is a "must-ment."

• "Absentee" or "no ID?" You can􀂷t make a guess! With the greatest courtesy. Send that voter to the VIS.

• Clock says 7:00's almost here. End of line's in sight.

• Workers close up, front and rear. This historic night.

• Summary:  Greet each guest. Clerk's the boss. Bring your meds and sweater. Listed "watchers" can come in. Media reps know better. Be on time. Leave as one. Cars outside are waiting. Now you know your job is done. Cheers for participating!