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I think the scariest thing about this is the inconsistency of the training from precinct to precinct...but I think that has been the case for many decades. What clouds the issue is the requirement for an 'ID" now. This year will be my first time as a pollworker as well.
My training experience was amazingly different from Lucy Paul's. We were trained personally by the Medina County Board of Elections Director and Deputy Director (a Republican and a Democrat) They gave us detailed handouts for each responsibility area - we are supposed to help out as we can. They went over the procedures and carefully answered all questions. The room was very full and very vocal on the issues of what consistutes 'ID" and what are the potential security issues. I was reassured by veteran pollworkers that they will help out us newbies on the usual things like confused voters and the printed record keeping that will in fact continue to be done.
My training was most of an afternoon - the final hour was a hands-on rehearsal of opening, trouble-shooting, voting, and closing the machines. We were given explicit instructions on setting up the machines for the visually impaired and for assisting individuals with other issues if we were asked to do so. We had hands-on practice in doing this as well. We had hands-on practice about what to do in the case of a power outage! and how to deal with the batteries. There will be floating trouble-shooters who are poised to go anywhere in the county that additional technical help might be needed.
I was asked to be a Presiding Judge - I feel very honored though I think it was because I was helping other folks with the machines during practice and am obviously not afraid of them :).
The machines are NOT difficult. They are no more complex than working with a laptop. In many ways the voting procedure is easier than the punch cards. I have to admit to having problems reading the small print on the old print ballots last election. The voting machine screens are larger clearer type *and* if I really had trouble I could plug in headphones and have the machine read the text to me.
The procedure for checking and signing off on print trail - yes there is a print receipt that is kept - is a bit scary because it is very serious - a very important responsibility. I am re-reading my handouts and keeping everything in a folder handy when I go to work on Tuesday.
Thank you for the advice regarding packing some food for lunch and dinner. I always wanted to be one of the 'voting ladies' from when I was a little girl and went to vote with my parents. So this year I 'volunteered' to be a pollworker here in my county when I received an e-mail prompting me to do so. I did not know I would be paid and it was not a factor in my decision. I will probably donate the fee or spend it on the holidays.
There were several more individuals male/female/white/black/hispanic/republican/democrat in my training class who expressed the same sense of responsibility and intention to be objective and honorable. I believe - I hope - that most of our pollworkers are decent, honorable citizens who will do the best job they can do.
