For many poll workers, it’s not only a civic responsibility, it’s a social occasion
Eleanor Shipley, who works at West Middle School in Westminster at election time, has been serving as a poll worker so long that she cannot remember when she started.
Written By Susan Fair, Photos by: Gregory Blank
As Carroll Countians head to the polls this November, some may wonder about the dedicated people they see working there. What is it like to spend Election Day in a room full of people in a hurry to do their civic duty, and what motivates these folks to work the polls in the first place?
Veteran poll Chief Judge Becky Fisher, wife of Westminster Church of the Ascension’s Rev. Ronald Fisher, said she has worked the polls over the last decade because “I feel very strongly about voting and how important it is. It’s a responsibility. Any way that I can help make voting a pleasant, easy experience for people, I want to do it.”
Working in a Westminster City precinct, Fisher said, makes the job even more meaningful. “It’s a very diverse precinct and I appreciate that diversity. The polls are one of the few places where everyone is truly equal.”
Fisher said she was touched on one recent election day when four generations of a family turned up to vote together. But one of her favorite memories about working the polls is one loyal voter who almost always turns up about 10 minutes before the polls close, playing “Battle Hymn of the Republic” on a harmonica. “It’s a fun way to end a long day,” she said.
Eleanor Shipley, who described her age as “85 and a half,” said she has been pitching in at the polls so long she cannot remember when she started.
A lifelong farmer, Shipley said she became a poll worker because “They asked me and I thought it would be interesting.”
Her favorite part of Election Day, however, is social: “You get to see people you don’t see any other time; even some of your neighbors you never see unless it’s election day or somebody dies.”
Shipley also enjoys interaction with the other poll workers: “I just love working with those people.”
Although she says having to stay at the polls from early morning until late evening makes for “a very long day,” she plans to be back for the next election – “God willing, and if they ask me.”
Another senior poll worker is Theo Amoss, 80. The Westminster resident took up working the polls when she retired from Random House some years back. Her reason was simple: “They needed help,” she said.
Living in Carroll County for approximately 60 years, Amoss, like Shipley, said Election Day is also somewhat of a social occasion: “I enjoy seeing people I haven’t seen for a while.” She also appreciates the camaraderie with her fellow poll workers: “A lot of other old people volunteer,” she said.
Marie Anderson, who does voter check-in, and her husband Bob Anderson, a chief judge, have been working the polls for 10 years. “We certainly don’t do it for the pay,” she said. “We consider it our civic duty.” Their sense of civic duty leads to meaningful moments.
“When you see people come in to vote in wheelchairs, it’s very heartening. And when kids come to vote for the first time they’re so excited. We always make sure first-time voters have a good experience.”
Marie, a retired nurse, also noted that she and her husband have had some interesting experiences with folks who don’t quite understand the voting process. For example:
“One man came into the polls during a presidential election and said he was visiting from Texas and wasn’t a registered voter, but he wanted to vote anyway.”
The Andersons have every intention of continuing their work.
“We have a good time, and we feel like we are doing a good thing,” said Marie.
And what of those other folks working the polls, the ones who stand outside – often in the cold November air – offering pamphlets and carrying signs?
Jack Girod, 45, an auditor for a defense contractor, has been a repeat volunteer for local politician Michael Zimmer, often spending election day offering literature to sometimes unreceptive voters.
Girod, who said he had never been a “big political person” was compelled to get involved because he “believed in the candidate,” who he knew personally. Like the workers inside the polling place, Girod said he also enjoys the day as a social occasion. “You see people from around the county you haven’t seen for a while,” he said.
Corynne Courpas has been volunteering for the Democratic Committee since 1978; she met husband and fellow volunteer Scott Markle when they were both campaigning for Michael Dukakis in 1988.
Over their years of working outside the polls the couple has had occasional unpleasant experiences, including voters who get confrontational and resort to name-calling.
But there are many good moments. “The last presidential election was really exciting,” Courpas recalled; “More young people than we had ever seen, and everyone was so enthusiastic.”
Despite the ups and downs, Courpas said she and Markle will continue working the polls. “You really can make a difference. You really can make the country a better place.”
Want to Volunteer?
Several positions are available for citizens to serve at an election. Although the jobs are paid, said Gail Carter, election director for the Carroll County Board of Elections, “The amount is not equal to the service they perform for this office and the voters of Carroll County.”
Poll Worker Positions:
- Chief Judge Supervisory position responsible for ensuring an orderly election. Pays $200.
- Check-In Judge Sets up each electronic poll book; checks in and “processes voters as they arrive at the polling place. Pays $150.
- Provisional Check-In Judge All the responsibilities of the Check-In Judge; also responsible for issuing provisional ballots. Pays $165.
- Voting Unit Judge Monitors the activity around the electronic voting machines, assists in the opening and closing of the polls, and assists the chief judge in completing all necessary forms. Pays $150.
Each person is also responsible for attending a training session, for which they receive $25. Poll workers are expected to be at their assigned polling location from 6 a.m. until the polls close at 8 p.m.
Source: Katherine Helwig, State of Maryland, Carroll County Board of Elections, Election Administrative Assistant II. 410-386-2080.
