Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Pitiful Sainthood

Today was an Election day in California. A Primary for State Representatives and Assemblymembers, Convention delegate selection for both parties, various judicial positions and 2 propositions. The turn out was beyond pitiful. In the District the we worked less than 11% came to vote. There were a few Vote By Mail requested according to our records but that was less than 1%. The reason for the low turnout is (in my humble opinion) because of the states choice to move the Presidential Primary up to February 5. In previous years this day (today) would have been the Presidential Primary and in previous years it had been for naught. But this year it could have made a difference to the other ballot issues because California would have been a big "swing" state in this highly competitive elction year. But because of past experiences the state decided to move it up to "Make California's Vote Count" (that was the slogan all over). I think they screwed themselves. As I mentioned Kathy and I worked in a local precinct. Usually it is situated in the High School, but because of construction it is in the BOy Scout House directly across the street from our house. That is so handy. Kathy could come home a get a cold diet coke any time she wanted. that makes for a happy Kathy. ANd a happy Kathy is a helpful Kathy. Because this isn't our regular place we had to share with another precinct. the room is big enough and we had it set up well to separate and the tables were deliniated by color so people pretty much knew where to go. The Inspector on the other side was a complete slug. He shuffled around doing and caring about nothing. He spent more time outside than in and paid no attention to anything that was happening on his side of the room. Schmuck! Kathy, saint that she is, spent more time on the other side than he did and helped his staffers ALOT. They came to Kathy to ask about questions that were covered in the training and that HE should have been answering. They even came to Kathy to ask about their breaks. This schmuck shared space with us for the Election in February and we were amazed that he was packed up so quickly at the end. There is a lot of counting and reconciling and deconstructing and just a whole lot of work in general and he was out a good half hour before us. This time - surprise - there was a County Inspector there at closing working with him. I don't think he reconciled anything last time and maybe they are finally catching on to his inadequecy. So for that reason and many many others, I am going to nominate Kathy for Sainthood.

5 comments:

  1. I would support her candidacy--where exactly do I go to vote?

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  2. Saint's a bit much. The whole point of being there in the first place is to help the voters. It was hard not to step on toes, but the voters come first. Those poor workers turned away a voter because they didn't know how to process a provisional voter--we can't have that.

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  3. I think it's great that you two help the voters in your district. I now vote by mail because the last time I voted in person (many years ago in Wisconsin) there were long lines and few helpers to keep things moving. I'll bet your district voters appreciate your help and organization.

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  4. I had forgotten how confusion can reign at a polling place. Here in Green Cove Springs it is all under control, no chaos at all. It is a pleasure to go there and vote because it is in and out fast.

    Don't be too hard on that guy, he will probably be moved up to handle a bigger job. That is how bureaucracies work.

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  5. I forgot to second John's accolade for the work you both do at the polling place. Please keep it up.

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