Fairview woman shares her 30-year history working polls, passion for democratic process

Jill Murphey grew up loving politics and elections.

As a child, she wore campaign buttons to school. As a teenager, she worked the phones for various candidates. While attending Clarion University, she took a public speaking course and made all of her speeches about politics and voting.

Murphey's passion for politics stemmed from the time she spent with her father, Pat Crawford, who volunteered with many political campaigns and held various state jobs, she said.

"I can’t even say how ingrained in my brain it was, and I was very receptive to it," Murphey, 52, said. "I just really liked it. And I worked with my dad and I loved being with him."

Pat Crawford Beach in Edinboro is named after Murphey's father, who also owned the Canoe Club, a site considered the social hub of Lakeside until its demolition in 1991.

Since her early 20s, Murphey ― who also owns yogaErie, 2560 W. Eighth St. ― has worked the polls. She has served as the judge of elections for Fairview Township's 4th District for more than a decade.

"As much as I love to educate myself and educate the public, I really love just telling people what to do and making them realize or hoping to influence them that it’s their responsibility and their right to vote," she said.

Creating bonds with fellow poll workers

After she graduated college, Murphey didn't have an option when it came to working the polls.

"I was living at home after college and my dad came home one night and said, 'You’re working the polls on Tuesday,'" she said. "I think I had two days notice and I was like, 'With all the old people? Are you kidding me?'"

Murphey remembers that first election in Edinboro to be one of the busiest she's ever worked.

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"It was a huge primary. I remember there was a local political race that was really tight," she said. "The polls opened at 7 a.m. and I don’t think I looked up until 11 a.m. And I just kept on doing it because they needed me to."

When she moved to Fairview in 1999, it didn't take her long to get involved in her new township's election process. Over the years, she's created lasting friendships with other poll workers. On Election Day, the workers pass the time by doing word searches together, playing games and reading magazines, Murphey said.

One of those workers is Jennifer Lyons, who's worked with Murphey for about eight years. Lyons said one of the reasons she started poll working was because of her connection with Murphey.

"My kids were younger and I was looking for a way to do something maybe for the community and it seemed kind of fun," Lyons said. "Plus it’s a good way to see all your neighbors."

Lyons said she sees how dedicated Murphey is to her job as judge of elections every year, a characteristic that motivates her to continue working the polls.

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"I think she’s a very positive force and absolutely believes in the democratic process," Lyons said. "It's very inspiring how much she believes in the election process and how it should be run the right way."

Murphey also believes in making the election process a smooth experience for everyone.

"You come in and these are your friends, neighbors, it creates communities, and if you see a friendly face at the polling place it makes your experience that much more pleasant and you’ll return again," Murphey said. "It’s like running a business; they’re a customer and you want them to be happy."

Inspiring the next generation

Murphey's reason for working the polls comes down to making sure others are able to perform their civic duty of voting.

"I think a lot of people say there’s some type of honor of tradition of just going and casting your ballot. It’s part of being an American citizen, and it’s really important for us (poll workers) to still facilitate that for people," she said.

Some of Murphey's proudest elections are the ones where she taught her own children how to vote. In 2019, she showed her son Teddy how to vote and then in 2021, her son Harry.

"My kids will come and their friends will come and vote and they’ll be like, 'I saw your mom at the polls,'" Murphey said. "They (her children) might not say it, but they’re proud that I’m a part of it. I think it’s really full circle that my dad and my mom inspired me to do these things, and now I’ve raised hopefully another generation of responsible voters."

For every new voter, Murphey gives them a small American flag as a reminder of their first election. But it's also a reminder to Murphey that her duties as a poll worker are a piece of a bigger picture.

"It’s a whole chain of command and the fact that it goes on starting with someone like me and all these other workers, and then it’s this huge election across the country and you’re a part of it, it’s exciting," she said. "And it is just out of respect and honor of my dad that I’m still doing it, because he would be really proud that I’m still doing it."

Baylee DeMuth can be reached at 814-450-3425 or bdemuth@timesnews.com. Follow her on Twitter@BayleeDeMuth.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Fairview judge of elections Jill Murphey shares history as poll worker