My favorite part of being a poll worker? The stickers - and preserving democracy | Opinion

I never considered myself to be much more or less patriotic than the average American. I do love being American and can’t imagine any alternative for myself. I appreciate the quote Winston Churchill made famous: "Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others." I came to my interest in politics and the political process later in life. While certainly not a perfect system, American democracy more or less seemed to be working OK for me. Until it didn’t anymore.

The deterioration of voting rights has taken many forms − voter suppression, gerrymandering, reduced early voting days and hours, eliminated drop box locations, and stricter ID requirements, among other methods.

A funny thing happens when someone tries to take away people’s rights − people start fighting back. Never much of a fighter, I do not like confrontation or even disagreements. But I became frustrated seeing the restriction of voting rights. As Thomas Paine said back in the day, "The right of voting for representatives is the primary right by which other rights are protected."

My way of fighting back − becoming a poll worker. To see if I could do my small part to help provide a safe space for voters to do their thing. After having done this a few times now, I have discovered unanticipated and surprising benefits on multiple levels.

I love creating a welcoming environment for voters. Whether greeting them cheerfully as they come in and directing them where to go, helping them get checked in, answering questions about how to scan their ballot (yes, you can scan it in any direction, it really doesn’t matter), or thanking them for voting and giving them their sticker, I enjoy rotating through all the roles. More about the stickers later. My objective: for people to have a great user experience when they vote.

I always loved the idea − and reality − of a team of people from disparate backgrounds coming together working towards a common goal. When poll workers first get to their voting location, the only reason why anyone cares about party affiliation is that there are certain responsibilities that need to be done by a team of two people, each from a different party. Other than that, nobody cares if you are red or blue or purple. Everyone chooses to be there for one reason: to ensure that elections are safe, secure, and as smooth as possible. In today’s hyper-polarized world, to see people working together collaboratively is almost enough to restore one’s faith in humanity. While poll workers are not technically volunteers and do get paid, I guarantee no one is doing it for the money.

While I never had any concerns about the integrity of elections, it gives one a dramatically different perspective to see what goes on behind the scenes. Detailed step-by-step procedures and checklists guide all activities. Many controls exist, with checks and double checks to ensure the safety, security, and integrity of the votes. Transparency is built in at multiple points: manual poll books available showing everyone who voted early, and reports run at multiple times during the day to show who has voted − not how they voted, but who voted − publicly available to anyone who wants to see them. For anyone who has ever questioned election integrity, they should sign up to be a poll worker.

Poll workers work hard. Prior to each election, workers must take four hours of training. It doesn’t matter how many previous elections people have worked; they still need to attend training. People who have been working elections for 30 years sit side by side with rookies there for the first time.

Required to show up the night before an election to set up equipment, poll workers then go home for a quick night’s sleep before reporting promptly at 5:30 the next morning. After finishing setup, they make sure everything is ready to go when doors open at 6:30 a.m. sharp. Voters start lining up before 6:30 a.m., so you better be ready. Then workers rotate roles either on their feet or sitting behind a table for the next 13 hours, with an hour break for lunch. To round out the day, they spend another hour or so breaking down equipment, running reports, accounting for ballots, and securing everything.

While I love seeing any and all voters coming out, I particularly enjoy seeing families vote together. Mom and Dad voting, patiently explaining the process to their three young children in tow. Or the mother of the autistic son voting for the first time, the poll workers setting them up at a table as far away from the hubbub and noise as they could find. Or the adult son helping his 95-year-old mother, who had been a former poll worker herself, vote. He good-naturedly read through all three pages of candidates and issues to her.

While we thank each voter for coming out on election day, many voters thank us for our service as well. And again, while no poll worker signs up for the money, neither do we do it for the glory. But still − nice to be recognized and know that voters appreciate our hard work.

For three elections now, I have had the added bonus of working at my home voting location. I love the feeling of community; I get to see my neighbors and meet new ones. And I enjoy seeing other people as they come out to vote, running into their neighbors and friends, connecting and catching up.

The vast majority of voters appear friendly, happy to be there, and enthusiastic about exercising their fundamental right. Of course, a few grumps always exist − people having a bad day, in a rush or frustrated about something or other. But they tend to be few and far between.

And oh, the stickers. You would be amazed how grown adults, with mortgages and taxes and adulting responsibilities, get so excited about receiving their sticker for a job well done. Like a gold star − proof that they have done their civic duty. So great to see. I love giving out the stickers, witnessing the voters’ excitement and providing validation that they have done a good thing. When the family of five finishes up, I find myself turning into a version of Oprah giving away cars: "YOU get a sticker and YOU get a sticker and YOU get a sticker!" The kids get excited about stickers too, because, of course they do. But rarely are the kids more excited than the adults. Of course, a handful of adults are "too mature" and just over the whole sticker thing. I thank them, smile, and give their sticker to the next voter, who inevitably accepts it enthusiastically.

So, my favorite part? Probably the stickers. And oh yeah, preserving democracy.

Karen Bratburd lives in Symmes Township. For more information or to sign up to be a poll worker, contact your county Board of Elections.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: My way of protecting voting rights - becoming a poll worker