Early Voting

For the last 15 years, I've worked as an election official for the NC Board of Elections. This year was my first year working in early voting.

In exchange for the time, we are compensated, however, you have to want to be there. Election day is a 14 hour day, with little exception. You can't leave until the day is done. 

  

If you are a business owner, send some greetings and love to the people volunteering. The are in need of consideration.

We get lulls and quiet time where we sit in silence. I always bring a laptop or tablet so I can write or work on a project.  

This year, I was being studious and working on my Spanish homework. Of course, making notes for future blog post.

I've lived in Rowan county now for 4 years. Today I was sent to an alternate location for early voting. It made me miss my peeps in Charlotte.

We had a special bond. I was in precinct 48. It wasn't my home precinct, but I was there every year. 

Til this day, I'm connected to a few ladies on Facebook and we keep in touch that way

 We would share snacks. We would update each other on vacations and children. 

I'm sitting here thinking of all the opportunities that working the polls has afforded me.

My first year, one of the poll workers asked me to be apart of his Board of Directors for his non profit. That was a very cool experience. I served for about 4 years, and then my schedule conflicted.

As the years rolled by you get to know the workers at the BOE who work for the county full ttime. They did some collaborations with me related to the realtor community.

All of this started because I volunteered on an alderman campaign. When my local precinct said they were looking for workers, I felt it was my civic duty to get involved.

I'm glad I did. 

Some things that keep me coming back are

The laws and the politics

So many people don't understand how laws are made, how many is spent, and who decides either of these things. Serving as an election official is bi-partisan work. It does require us to knowa little about the election law and process. Had I not been a poll worker, there are several things about local government I would never even have been aware of.

The people.

Every year I meet new people who live in my neighborhood and community. I see neighbors who haven't seen their neighbors in years. It's always a reunion. Ot brings me such joy to witness these interactions. It's like a time capsule that takes you back to when people gathered together in the community.

The food.

Did I mention the quiet lulls? That is for stuffing your mouth with the deliciousness and cornicopia of snacks. Not all precincts participate in community food sharing, but the best ones do.

The perspective

Every single time I'm at the polls, I hear something, or witness something that gives me new perspective. You meet the most interesting people who've been to interesting places that do interesting things.

Voting is one of the most basic civil liberties we have as Americans. With great joy, I get to administer this constitutional right to my neighbors. I understand many can not or just flat out aren't interested in serving this way. If you are, I promise it will enrich your life in some way. 

For more info on serving at the polls, please contact your local board of elections.

At the very least, get up and get out to VOTE.

#lifeofbliss #electionofficial #vote