I was privileged to serve as one of five election judges assigned to Capital Township (Springfield, Illinois) Precinct 50 on November 4. Most H&Q visitors know election judges by their brief encounters with them every two years where they go to vote. There’s much more they don’t see.
Election judges are usually recruited by precinct committee persons who known folks with time on their hands and reasonable intelligence. Some judges serve once or twice and don’t go back. Others, like my next door neighbor and I have done this for more than 10 years. We were the longest time judges at the polling place serving Precincts 50, 52 and 94. Judy was far more knowledgeable because she wants to be. She has a convivial, “I’ll do anything” attitude that is exceedingly beneficial to all who encounter her. I’m a tad more reserved. I don’t have a lot of talent for this line of work, so I like to channel it where I can make the most of it.
All election judges attend a special three-hour “school” once during the month leading to an election. It’s a fast-paced, intensive focus that demonstrates how to unpack equipment (including ballots and machines), use it, total results, re-pack equipment and deliver results to the county election offices. It is very professionally led. All who attend are given an open book multiple-choice test at the conclusion in which we include our names and phone numbers. We grade the tests ourselves as answers are read in rapid fire to us when time is up, and the instructor explains answers when there are requests for brief clarification. Implicit in the process is that anyone scoring too many WRONG answers will receive a call from the commission disinviting their participation. I missed one of the approximately 70 questions, but I didn’t bother with looking anything up as I took it. I pay more attention during the instruction that way.
For more than 10 years, I have savored the solitary walk to my polling place about 4:45 am on election day. I see the neighborhood as I never see it other times. Sometimes I’m the first to arrive. This year there were eight judges already on hand setting up the room, the residential lounge of a high rise residential facility occupied mostly by senior citizens who are barred from the room until the election is over and the judges go away. It took about 45 minutes for the three precinct assemblage to get everything set up. The new equipment including paper ballot was a breeze compared with that used in earlier elections.
First voters appeared at the door about 5:50, and we had to keep them at door’s edge inside the warm building until we opened officially at 6. The hours from 6 to closing at 7 pm flew by. There were 16 voting booths serving the three precincts, and there was at least one voter on hand for all but perhaps 10 total minutes throughout the day. There were often up to 15 people waiting to vote. We were served donuts by County Representative Tim Moore, pulled pork bar be cue lunch by talented “judge Judy” and pizza by my Republican Precinct Committeeman George Tinkham. Republicans seem to “rule the roost” in Sangamon County. During the entire day, with the possible exception of Tim Moore (party affiliation unknown) there was no sign of any Democrat official. That’s how it always has been in this part of the city. No radios or TV were permitted in the polling place, but we were told from visiting poll watchers and election officials how things were going “on the outside.” We were on our own little planet from 6 a to 7p.
Judges work much harder after the voting than before and during. Totals must be made, used and unused ballots counted and comparisons made between ballot applications, signed as each voter arrives, and ballots cast in each precinct. Everything must be stowed or sorted for delivery before any judge goes home. Precinct 50 counted 256 ballots successfully cast. There were no write-ins and just a few spoiled and provisional ballots. Everything totalled to perfection on the first effort. Then a select pair of judges from each precinct drives the results to the county election office in downtown Springfield and delivers said results to the election offices. I walked home from the polling place and walked in my front door about 8:30. It had been an enjoyable day for the most part those in Precinct 50 got along great, we all chipped in and we were cheerful with each other and the public from start to finish.
I still feel soaked by the biliousness of the presidential campaign and will be spending as much time from even writing about it as practical; at least a week. On the other hand, I believe in the process, was proud to be a small part of it, and I’m looking forward to watching history evolve in the weeks ahead. Whomever you voted for, thanks for voting. And if you didn’t vote, please except my sincerest sympathies to your family for your loss.
Live long . . . . . and proper.
