Observations as a poll worker at the polling place
Wednesday, November 03, 2004
All others aside, here are some of my observations when I worked at the polls near my house yesterday.
- Most poll workers were inexperienced, but by 9 a.m., we knew everything.
- Technology did not always translate into efficiency. We (L.A. County) used good ol' reliable paper ballots and moved people in and out - we rarely had lines, whereas the O.C. used touchscreen and people waited in lines for an hour and a half.
- Our registry listed voters and their party affiliations. By the end of the day I could spot a Republican or a Democrat before they reached our table.
- There are a lot of households with split party affiliations (and I thought mine was rare.)
- Republicans came early, Democrats came later (and the Undecideds came at the very end - at least that's what were were joking about.)
- We doubled as child care when necessary.
