My experience as a poll worker

It seems that many people have misconceptions and doubt that their vote will count, or that the system is safe.  Some people still think that ANYONE can be a write-in candidate.

Did you know that only eligible write-in candidates, who have filed the appropriate paperwork by the deadline count?  If you write in a candidate, your ballot will fall into a special compartment in the tabulator machine and poll workers will sort through them by hand.  If it is a valid write-in candidate, it is set aside and counted separately by the County Board of Canvassers. If the name is not a valid candidate, the rest of your ballot has been counted but the poll workers will have to spend extra time to hand process your ballot, on an already VERY long day.  To find out who the valid write-in candidates are, you will need to ask your clerk.  Poll workers are not allowed to tell you who is or is not valid or how to spell names.  This is a great year to try that out since the local school board has three openings, but only two names are listed.  ASK questions!  Get Involved in our local elections!

If you make a mistake on your ballot, the machine reads it with that mistake.  Although this might sound scary, it is to make sure you get your say.  If you vote in person, the window on the tabulator will indicate if your “ballot was cast successfully” OR  if it detects an error; it may spit it out automatically so you can look at it, OR it will ask if you would like to cast your ballot as is.  Be sure to stand at the machine long enough to make sure your ballot has been cast.  If you leave the building and your ballot did not register, a poll worker will cast your ballot as is. If you make a mistake and want another ballot, no problem.  Put your ballot back in the sleeve and tell a poll worker you need to SPOIL your ballot and be reissued a new one.  Poll workers are not legally able to look at your ballot or make any modifications to it, it is up to you to make sure you understand.

Early voting in Michigan is defined as No Reason Absentee.  If you vote absentee in Michigan, a poll worker will cast your ballot as submitted into a tabulator the day of the election for you.  Poll workers representing both parties verify that every ballot gets read and are often sequestered and cannot leave the building until all the ballots are cast.

If you have requested an absentee ballot but did not fill it out, lost it, etc. and you come to vote in person, the poll book will indicate that you have been issued a ballot. You will be required to sign an affidavit swearing that you have not yet voted and are only voting once.  This again, is checked by the Board of Canvassers, to make sure only one vote per person is counted.  Voting more than once is a felony and violators will be prosecuted.

I appreciate it when people thank me, I feel very sad when people express distrust because they do not understand the process.  I myself, had no idea how much work and integrity are needed in these positions.  I did not understand how many checks and double-checks are built into the system. I have met many amazing, wonderful, dedicated, thoughtful, trustworthy people through this process.  Poll workers are people, just like you.

The world we live in is DIVIDED right now.  It seems as though we have lost trust and faith in our fellow community members.  We can have civilized discussions about policy without spreading fear, hate, and mistrust.  The people working our polls, in this very small community, are people you know. Talk to each other, take responsibility for your own actions, give more than you take, and take only what you need.  Ask for help if you need it.  If you don’t find it right away, don’t stop looking.  The current system, although not perfect, does a pretty darn good job considering how complicated the process is and how little uniformity there is across states.

Like many of you, it’s not hard for me to decide which side I am representing this time around.  My mind is made up.  I will continue to support our Democratic Republic of The UNITED STATES of America because when all is said and done UNITED WE STAND.  Our Country and community will come together and move the ball down the field. Do your part, be polite, be patient, be kind… and exercise your right to VOTE!

– There are instructions, please be sure to read them.   Look for signage and postings as you wait in line.

– Find out what is on your ballot before you get there (https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us)

– If you have any questions ask your CLERK.  There are certain things only your CLERK can tell you.  For example: “Are there any valid write-in candidates?”

Henrietta Township Deputy Clerk Patricia Kenyon describes the process each precinct goes through to make sure the ballots are ready and accurate!

*“All jurisdictions in Michigan perform an accuracy test for both the software (program cards) and hardware (tabulator) for every election.  This accuracy test is open to the public and the date and time is published prior to the test.  Ballots are (purposely) marked in both accurate and inaccurate ways.  Ballots being tested include blank ballots, ballots with random marks not inside the oval, ballots from a different precinct, over-voted ballots and ballots that have been marked correctly.  The results are compared to a predetermined chart of results to make sure the software and hardware have tabulated correctly.”

Henrietta Township Clerk Sally J. Keene:

“We anticipate a heavy turnout on Election Day and will do everything in our power to make sure that the voting process runs smoothly.  Thanks in advance to our dedicated election inspectors for their commitment to making sure your right to vote is upheld.”

Henrietta Township offices are open M-F from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Absent voter ballots may be obtained in person during regular business hours or by mail until Friday, Oct. 30.
A ballot drop box is available for added convenience and we will be open Saturday, Oct. 31 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Those with questions may call 517-769-6925 for further information.