What I learned from working the polls on election day. 👀
Did a friend forward this to you? Subscribe here!
At 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday morning, the polls in North Carolina officially opened. I felt both a thrill of excitement and a wave of butterflies as the first voters shuffled out of the rain and into the school gymnasium.
“Good morning!” I said, waving them over to my table. “Ready to vote? Excellent! Please state your full name and address.”
I would repeat that sentence nearly 500 times over the next 13 hours as I checked in voters, confirmed which primary they’d be voting in, updated their information as needed, and sent them across the room to pick up their ballot. It was a long and exhausting day, comparable to running a marathon. Physically, my body ached from sitting and my vocal cords felt sore. Emotionally, the butterflies never faded, especially as the trickle of voters remained steady and I saw, firsthand, so many of my neighbors .
When the polls closed at 7:30 p.m., I was tired but happy, grateful for the opportunity to witness democracy in action, and proud of the role I’d played even if the outcome wasn’t what I’d hoped. (An understatement, to be sure.)
The next morning, those good feelings took a hit as I began to hear other election day stories. Stories like Hervis Rogers, the absolute hero who waited in line for six hours to vote at his polling place at Texas Southern University, or the folks in Los Angeles who waited up to two hours to cast their ballots.
According to this NPR article, “The problems and disruptions that took place around the country were connected with elections equipment systems, shortages of poll workers and long lines of voters.”
While America has a long, shameful, and systemic history of voter suppression that can and must be addressed, there are some issues that are a lot easier to solve. If you’re worried about the integrity of our elections or upset by the idea of people waiting in long lines, you can actually do something about it. You can volunteer to be a poll worker for the general election in November.
I can’t speak for other states but in North Carolina, where I live, the process is pretty straightforward - I followed this link and submitted an application, attended one 30-minute information session and one two-hour training session, and then arrived bright and early on election day. The other five volunteers working at the polling site did a wonderful job welcoming me to the fold and showing me the ropes. It was exhausting, yes, but it was also very easy.
(Note: working the polls was easy for me. I used one of the two paid volunteer days my job provides, I didn’t have to worry about childcare, and I’m in good health with excellent stamina. Not everyone is so privileged or so lucky. But plenty of others are, and those are folks I’m encouraging. If you have time to complain on Twitter and write hot takes about our elections, you very likely have time to help them run more smoothly.)
We all benefit from society in some way, and the more we give back to those systems, the stronger, better, and more fair they will be. Maybe that means getting vaccinated to help stave off the latest virus, or sitting on a jury to ensure someone receives a fair trial, or volunteering to be a poll worker so our neighbors can easily cast their votes. Figure out how you can contribute, and then get to work. 💛
🥖 Snack of the Week 🥖
This weekend I went to a local bar that also has maybe the fanciest food truck in the world. Proof: this crusty focaccia, slathered in butter and salt, and topped with sweet, crunchy radishes. I've been paying more attention to protein lately, especially because I've been lifting more weights at the gym, but sometimes you just need to eat fresh bread and drink cold beers around a fire with friends. Who knew radishes would be the key to truly relaxing and enjoying life? The Kitchen at Palate, that's who.
Relatable Reads
Here's What To Do If You Hate The Democratic Nominee, BuzzFeed News. "Within an hour’s drive of nearly every zip code in America, there is an election where a Democrat—one who’s not running for president—needs your help." I really loved this article and agree with every single bit of it. Local is where it's at. 🇺🇸
In a Disaster that Calls for Isolation, Your Community Will Help You Survive, Curbed. "The damage wrought by disasters might seem indiscriminate, but communities that are already the most marginalized—the people who are already housing insecure or experiencing long-term health issues—are most likely to be severely impacted. They will need to rely on a society held together by everyone else." BRB, making everyone on my street a casserole. 😷
Why America is Losing the Toilet Race, NPR. Consider this my PSA for buying a bidet. It will change your life. 💦
A Tiny Challenge
I was supposed to go to California this week for a conference, but it got canceled due to the Coronavirus. Things will surely get worse before they get better, so this week your challenge is simple - stock up on a few extra nonperishables, check in on your elderly neighbors, and for the love of all that is holy, wash your goddamn hands.
See you next Sunday! 💌
Thanks to Kanika K. and Kate P. for supporting my coffee habit! Your generous donations filled the thermos that helped me survive 15 hours at the polls.
Want to treat me to a ☕️ to help fuel this newsletter?
Venmo: @Christine-Hennessey or PayPal Me.
Can't afford a contribution? Forwarding to a friend is also appreciated!
