My first experience with working an election was as a poll watcher. I was in my late 20’s and had just purchased my first house with land. The school board was trying to exact exorbitant property tax increases and I agreed to be poll watcher for an old buddy of my dad’s who was fiscally ultraconservative. Law here allows for 2 poll watchers per candidate per precinct. The other lady was the little old lady possibly much like your mom. I had lived away from the area for several years so really didn’t know many people but that little old lady knew everyone.
At one point in the afternoon “little old lady” sidled up next to me and whispered that a young woman signing in lived across the line. Even though her name was not on the voter roll she was insisting she lived in district. For those who insist a provisional ballot is issued and those ballots are placed in a separate envelope with documentation.
Well, my little old poll watching pardner was scared to speak up and challenge the ballot because this little gal trying to vote was the daughter of the owner of the local newspaper. But, based on her assurance I felt fine challenging the ballot. At the end of the day, I turned in 7 discrepancies. My candidate lost by 3 votes. We challenged the count thru the SoS who sent their reps down the following week. There was a verbally hostile turned threatening town meeting. I later got phone calls threatening death, rape and attacks on my children. The SoS reps reviewed the discrepancies I’d documented and did a recount. My candidate won by 4 votes.
Afterward the newspaper had a front page story and blamed it on “That Radical Mrs. ___me___.”
Newspaper womans daughter was taken to court for voting illegally. They had megabucks, she pleaded stupid. “Oh I didn’t realize I’d built my house across the line.” Got a slap of the wrist (which ticked me off) But, she didn’t vote illegally in our elections again, I know because I worked them. So, I have seen that the system works if we will use it. Unfortunately we become complacent and think it’s all ok and they don’t need us. I’m guilty of doing that in this new county, but week after next “they” are welcome to try to mess with “The Radical Mrs.” in this new county. I am mad and ready to find someone to go off on.
You are to be commended. Good work!
Congrats on your pluck, tenacity and follow-through. What a wonderful example. I hope you hold classes in your area for conservative poll watchers.
Great story. We need more like you! Thank you for your service!
As a previous election holder, I cannot say enough about the importance of honest poll workers in guaranteeing honest elections.
Also, having been a candidate, all candidates have the right by law to be present or represented in every polling place, to be present when boxes are sealed and opened, when machines are set up, tested, and downloaded, and most importantly to be present or represented when the votes are counted.
We absolutely must ‘Trust but Verify’ the process at every step!
Locks keep honest people honest, good fences make good neighbors, poll watchers keep things above board, and don’t forget reps outside the polls to ensure campaigns follow the rules on campaigning too close to the polls. MAGA!
That is an awesome story!