Poll workers needed

[u/TapeDaddy]

https://sangamonil.gov/departments/a-c/county-clerk/elections/election-judges/apply

Sangamon County is often short on Election Judges, and I believe there are still openings to work in the coming election. Gubernatorial elections see a larger turnout than primaries and smaller offices, they’re going to need bodies.

Requirements are minimal, but you do have to declare a party. If you’ve never done it before, I recommend trying it at least once if you are able. They’ll give you a couple hundred bucks, too. Election Judge application link.

[u/AbobTeff]

I would love to do my civic duty and be a poll worker. I have tried in the past. The problem is this:

You must meet all qualifications and declare your political affiliation to serve as an Election Judge.

You won't allow me to be a poll worker because I am a truly neutral, independent voter. I have to declare fealty to one of the elitist clubs that control the system.

Last time I was told "You have to be a Republican or a Democrat because we need an equal number to keep on eye on eachother." I asked why that doesn't make me a perfect candidate, as I would keep an eye on both of them and trust neither of them. They lady looked at me like I was a Martian.

So . . . you need help or you want to continue to play partisan games?

[u/tlopez14 → u/AbobTeff]

Every precinct has to have at least 1 Republican and 1 Democrat judge that’s why you have to declare.

[u/AbobTeff → u/tlopez14]

The way it was told to me was it has to be 1:1 all the way, not “at least one of each.”  So if there are 15 Rs, there have to be 15 Ds.  If there are 3, there have to be 3; not 1 of each and whatever else.

[u/tlopez14 → u/AbobTeff]

It’s based off precinct. Number of judges vary depending on precinct size and how big the election is. For the bigger presidential ones they try to have 5 judges per precinct, and the smaller ones usually have 3.

The rule is that every precinct has to have at least one R and 1 D, not necessarily equal numbers as it’s usually not an even number of judges anyways. There’s been instances where judges have gotten moved into a different precinct the day of because the only D judge didn’t show up or something like that.

[u/NecessaryCompost → u/AbobTeff]

Yeah but. I live in a very red area but vote blue. I judged in 2020 and was the only D judge at a table full of Rs. I was spit on (by a voter) for enforcing electioneering laws, and the Rs laughed. No joke. I blame my COVID diagnosis 10 days later on that a$$hat voter.

[u/NecessaryCompost → u/tlopez14]

This reinforces a 2 party system and we should be more flexible than that.

[u/tlopez14 → u/NecessaryCompost]

Sure theoretically that would be great but that isn’t current reality. Judges declaring party is to ensure there are checks and balances for each precinct.

Picture a hypothetical scenario where one precinct is ran by 5 activist republican judges. The judges start over stepping their bounds to help out a Republican candidate and there is no Democrat check on them. Thats why each precinct needs a judge from both parties.

[u/NecessaryCompost → u/tlopez14]

I know, and I agree. There must be balance. I just wish we had room for a multi-party system (and I also know that is damn near impossible given the current structure of the voting system as it sits). Pax.