On November 3rd, 2020 at 4:15 am I found myself groaning as my alarm clock went off. My first thought was why did I sign up to work the election knowing I had to be at my designated assignment at 5:30 am? I quickly did my morning routine in the bathroom, dressed, and grabbed my small thermos of coffee as I headed out the door.

I really should not have complained, my initial assignment was to be a ballot judge at a location 20 minutes from my home. However before election day I received a call from the Board of Elections asking would I be willing to work a location about 5 minutes from my home and work the Provisional table. I readily agreed. I was even paid to attend a second training for provisional clerk worker.

Not sure what to expect, I arrived at the location 10 minutes ahead of schedule. I sat in my vehicle had a cup of coffee and was listening to some music when I was startled by a knock on my car window. I looked up and an elderly lady on a cane asked shouldn’t we be going in? The time was 5:25 am I locked my vehicle and we proceeded to the door of the building, as others joined us. The door was locked and we had to ring the buzzer to enter, which I found comforting.

Upon entering the ballot room I saw no Provisional ballot table set up. The supervisor of the site was busy running around making sure everything was taken out of boxes and set up. This included outside signs and directional signs. Out of 12 people 4 of us had never worked the polls. After calling to her attention a few times the fact there was not a Provisional ballot table set up, I got a little frustrated.

Being a nurse for over 50 years, I know how to problem solve. I spied two long tables, grabbed one of the workers standing around and moved the table to an area where it should have been. I didn’t have a plastic shield for my table and decided I would need a second table nearby for voters to fill out the required information needed to receive a provisional ballot. In a few minutes it was set up with two chairs.

I arranged all the necessary ballots and forms, pens, paper clips and other supplies I would need for the day. At 6:30 am I was prepared as the doors were opened for voters. A line of voters were waiting to enter and the day began.

Let me stop here and explain what a Provisional ballot is. In the State of Ohio a voter whose name does not appear in the Electronic Poll Book or the Supplemental Voters List has to vote a Provisional ballot. A few of the other reasons may be they requested an absentee ballot, they do not have valid ID or it may be they recently moved into the precinct, got married and not changed their name at the Board of Elections.

The Supervisor approached me and inquired what time did I want lunch? She then informed me only 8 am and 9 am time frames remained. I wasn’t happy but ended up having an hour lunch break at 8 in the morning. I had plenty of time to run home and return.

Between 6:30 am and 12 noon the pace was fairly steady, I didn’t have many Provisional Voters at that time. Noon to four the day dragged, I had to get up and walk around to stay awake. Then BOOM! The line was out the door and down the hallway. Needless to say people had just got off work. Even my area was busy.

There were people from all ethnic groups, many Hispanic and spoke no English, however we did have an interpreter available. There were so many first time voters who needed the ballot explained to them so they could properly fill it out. I was impressed by the number of young Black voters who turned out especially the young men. Also the number of young people who brought their children with them to witness the voting process. Of course elderly people on canes and walkers were present.

The day slowed again at about 6:45 pm and stayed that way until all of a sudden two young Black men ran into the room at 7:20 pm “are we too late?”, “are we too late?” they exclaimed. They were informed that the polls closed at 7:30pm but as long as they were in the room before that time they could vote. They let out a big sigh of relief as they had rushed over from work and feared they would not be able to vote.

Now those of you who really know me are aware that under the tough exterior I sometimes portray, I am just a big cry baby. I grew up during the Civil Rights Movement and my Mother was very much involved in the Movement. Thinking back to those days my eyes welled up with tears as I saw the excitement these young men had over voting. It was very important for them to vote. When they finished the one wanted to know if he would get a sticker. I had both the President 2020 sticker and the I voted sticker at my table and made sure they received one of each. They stated “oh thank you, thank you”. As they proceeded down the hall to the exit, I could hear one state to the other ” we did it!, we made it!”, “we voted!”

At that time I had to run to the bathroom because tears were flowing steady. I knew then and there the reason why I had gotten out of my bed at 4:15 am. I had to be a part of the process, to witness determination, gratefulness, and excitement like that. Despite what the news media tells us, young people value their right to vote.

After packing up my supplies and other equipment, we all trudged towards our vehicles at 8:30 pm. It had been a long day but one I was happy and proud to have witnessed first hand. I will return, Lord willing, for the next election!