| | Published October 23rd, 2024
| Democratic ideals fuel those working the polls Nov. 5
| | | By David Scholz |  | | |
As another election looms, those serving in the trenches at polling stations have seen changes that continue to make the voting process more efficient for the voters and poll workers alike.
It figures to be another long day for James Taylor, Russ Taft, Sora O'Doherty, and their peers who make up the approximately 1,200 clerks and inspectors who will again staff poll stations countywide on Nov. 5.
They will rise well before dawn to be at their assigned polling station to greet their teams, who report by 6 a.m. to set up the polls ahead of the official opening at 7 a.m. Then, they say goodbye to their teams as late as 9 p.m., depending on how quickly they can wrap up operations after the polls close at 8 p.m.
"It is hard work," said O'Doherty. "They need us."
Taylor, of Lafayette, who has served in six elections since the 2020 presidential primary, first served as a clerk at St Stevens Episcopal Church in Orinda. Since then, he has been assigned as an Inspector at Holy Names Lutheran Church in Orinda.
"I was involved in the design and construction of the building that we use at the church and personally have an attachment," said Taylor.?
Such opportunities to get involved in more civic activities were further increased after his wife passed away as time was freed up.
"I enjoy the challenge of running a smooth and efficient program and taking care of my clerks," he said, who have made the experience even more worthwhile.?"We have fun in spite of the 14 hours."
Taft, of Orinda, who has been active in the polls on and off during the past five years, is marking his third election at St. Stephens Church in Orinda in an inspector role after initially serving as a clerk at the Moraga Valley Presbyterian Church. He asked to be transferred to that site as he's a member of the congregation.
"What got me involved was just to give back to the community, and be a part of the process," he said.?
Like others who start working in the polls, Taft also took on the mantel of inspector when someone else was unavailable - illness in his case - and he brought a bit of experience to the role. Ever since then the title has stuck.
"The elections have been interesting, for sure. I am a people person, and [enjoy] meeting the people who both vote and work the polls, and helping them with their civic duties is my goal," he said.
O'Doherty, a reporter for the Lamorinda Weekly, brought her experience running County Service Area elections in Napa to the Contra Costa County Elections starting in 2016.
After training as an election inspector, she stepped in to help solve the chaos at the first early voting site in Walnut Creek, later she was assigned to be the inspector for the polling station at The Rock Church in Danville. Now, she is looking forward to having her fabulous crew back together next month.
As a journalist, she knows keeping her preferences under wraps is expected, and elections are non-partisan. Election fraud is particular a topic that has interested her, and serving at the polls enables her to see the legitimacy of the elections and why.
The three inspectors cited various improvements in the voting process that have come along and helped to simplify the process. But one they all had in common was the introduction of Apple poll pads a couple of election cycles back that was seen as a notable game changer.
"The addition of the Poll Pad greatly lowered the stress in checking voters in and eliminated all the manual paperwork which slowed everything down," said Taylor.
Taft wholeheartedly concurred. "We used to have to keep a paper trail in both the signed roster, and the master list," he said.? "Very tedious."?
O'Doherty also cited the value of the poll pads to quickly check in voters and identify the proper ballot for everyone who walks into the polling stations.
She also voiced good riddance to the giant black boxy machine that the voters once had to wait to see their ballots scanned in. Then, after the polls closed, it was opened up and all those scanned ballots staring up at poll workers from the bottom of the machine had to be moved to yet another box.
For all the changes and improvements, it still makes for a long day. Nonetheless, these poll warriors are happy to do it and hope others might be inspired to join their ranks when they come to vote or drop off their vote by mail ballots next month.
Taylor noted it's quite an experience of meeting all the voters and making sure their votes are accounted for properly. While new clerks come in with great apprehensions, he and his returning clerks have them settled into it in no time.?
"I am a believer in volunteerism," said O'Doherty. "You are helping the elections to be everything you want it to be and don't have to wonder about it."
But in the current climate where some voters have questions about the electoral process and safety of their votes, an important asset each of the trio possesses is a calm demeanor essential for diffusing potential situations.
Taylor noted there seems to be one jerk per election cycle that needs to be dealt with. But he has managed to handle such situations, including one occasion when the assigned rover visited polling stations during the day happened to observe the encounter and laud his handling of the matter.
"It's our way or the door's over there," Taylor said.
O'Doherty in fact welcomes the input from those who see where things are amiss. She recalled one irate individual who called out the absence of polling place signage at the Danville site.
"You are 100 percent correct that we need to have a big sign identifying us as a polling place," she responded, and she knew exactly where one was to right this wrong.
Is Taft worried with the election just around the corner? No.
"I cannot worry about things I have no control over," he said.?"I just want to make sure that my little piece of the puzzle is done well and done right." |
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA