If you follow my blog or know me in real life, you know that I watch the Golden Girls every evening before bed. If you only follow my blog you may not know that I also love politics and public service. I love election years, whether it be a big election like the one next week or just a local election.

Last night I was in the middle of season 3 and watched the episode Strange Bedfellows . In this episode the girls decide to get involved in the campaign of a local city councilman. It’s a pretty funny episode and really has not a lot to do with politics, but it brought me to todays topic.

I have always been interested in the political process since I took a political science class in high school. I love the fact that I live in America and we have the freedom to vote. I also like our Founding Fathers idea of the electoral college to ensure that all states are represented and not just the densely populated ones.

I never really acted on any political involvement until recently when I ran for city council. It wasn’t much of a campaign; I won, but not because my stellar personality or promises to the city, it was simply because I was unopposed, there was low voter turnout and quite frankly in a town this small no one really thinks of the city council unless they have a problem, but I digress…

Early in October I was asked by a friend if I might be interested in helping out at the County Clerks office during the election. I jumped at the chance. I really wanted to see how an election was run and was excited to see all of the “behind the scenes” stuff. Well, let me tell you there is a lot of behind the scenes stuff that is less than glamorous.

I am not sure if it because of COVID-19, the high stakes of the current election, or if it’s just business as usual; but the ladies in that office are working hard, long hours. They must all think that I am a nut for being so interested and excited about the election. I am so happy every day to go in their office and see how it all works. There are absentee ballots to be issued, some have to come back notarized and other don’t. Once returned they are received, envelopes (still sealed) are stamped and put in a locked box. There are registrations to process, phone calls to answer and all the while people are coming in to absentee vote for various reasons. Our state doesn’t have early voting, but you can vote early if you have a valid reason…. I know, confusing, but it works and our citizens seem to understand it.

While all of this is happening, this office is also responsible for payroll and billing for the county…whew… did I say that these ladies work hard?

In come the temps! One other lady and I were hired to help alleviate a little of the added pressure from the election. I don’t think they have needed anyone before, but this is 2020 and if it has never happened before, it’s happening now! There is so much extra this year. More projected voter turnout, more absentee voting, more poll workers, more pens, more training, more cleaning and cleaning items. Social distancing protocols, hand sanitizing, Plexiglas shields, did I mention more pens?….. so much more of just everything. Yes, I mentioned pens twice; one of my “exciting” election jobs was to count pens for the 19 polling stations in our county. I think I counted pens that night in my sleep.

In spite of the busyness of the office and all of the added precautions, I have actually been enjoying it. Yes, when I get home I am beat and really don’t want to see a tablet or a phone. Yes, the days have been hectic and I often get a question that I can’t answer because I am just a temp and yes, my pup is really hating that I don’t come home for lunch. But when all is said and done, I just love this stuff!

I am really looking forward to the last day of absentee voting and also to Election day! They are going to be a couple of very long days, but I think that my adrenalin will keep me going.

I may never have the opportunity to work another election, unless I decide to be a poll worker. I am soaking in all of the knowledge that I can. I have a better idea now of all it takes to makes your voting process go smoothly and fairly. So the next time there is “just a local election” take the time to vote. The county clerk is an elected position and I guarantee that they work hard for you. There is often a R or a D behind their name, but I can assure you, at least in my county, that the office is ran with no political bias. Everyone that darkens the doorway is greeted and treated with the same respect .

My time in this office will end in one week, but I will always remember the way they welcomed me and taught me the ropes. Not one treated us as temps or outsiders. Very kind and very professional and I hope that if they ever need a little help again that they know that they can call on me.

One last thing… get out and VOTE!!!

Until Next Time

Thank you for Being a Friend

MLG