tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32582789.post-83781230158745814352008-03-06T09:43:00.000-05:002008-03-06T09:43:00.000-05:002008-03-06T09:43:00.000-05:00Bonobo:<BR/><BR/>As I indicated in your later post, I have been a pollworker for several years now, and have served as a Presiding Judge for a number of elections.<BR/><BR/>The #1 problem we have is that the rules have changed every single election since 2004, particularly the rules about ID. And yes, we were trained by the Franklin County Board of Elections that a "VALID ID" must have both your name and your current address on them. A drivers license without your current address is not valid, however a utility bill with your name and your current address is. Even a military ID is not valid since they never have your home address on them.<BR/><BR/>But my knowledge ends there. Starting with last November's election, the Franklin Cty BOE went to a system where pollworkers are 'specialized.' For example, in the Nov election I was named a 'Provisional Judge' meaning that I got in-depth training on how to process provisional voters, but that's it.<BR/><BR/>This time I was a 'Machine Judge' meaning that I was trained in the setup and operation of the voting machines, but nothing else.<BR/><BR/>And I learned early in the day that what I thought I knew about voter ID requirements and voting rules was obsolete - when we were processing a 17 year old voter. In prior elections they voted on the machines. Turns out this time they had to use a provisional ballot. At least that's what my co-workers who had been trained in voter sign-in said.<BR/><BR/>So there is this depth/breadth issue now in training that's pretty interesting. The only person who has been trained on all aspects is the Presiding Judge. Ours was very good this election, but I've known some who aren't.<BR/><BR/>But I will give this admonishment to those who complain about the pollworkers - quit bitching about the process and become one yourself. Franklin County is short hundreds of pollworkers and the November election is going to have the highest turnout in history. We would not have made it through the last few elections without the high school kids who now help. At first they were just extra hands who helped the official pollworkers. Now they have to be used as full-fledged members of the team.<BR/><BR/>PLPaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05960574627644930183noreply@blogger.com