Hip, hip hooray for poll workers during election

Janis Cromer
Published: November 6, 2008

I am writing in praise of an often-overlooked group of public servants — our election officials.

I was a volunteer poll observer for the Obama campaign at the East Fairfax polling location — one of the busiest election spots in our county.

I watched for more than five hours as these election officers barely could catch their breath because of the heavy turnout.

In all this time, the poll workers were uniformly cordial and helpful and performed their tasks with the kind of efficiency and care that demonstrated how very seriously they regarded their role in protecting this fundamental American right of voting.

I saw them rush to provide curbside voting for the disabled. I watched them calmly reassure the first time voters and step them through the process. I witnessed them tracking down errant registrations to make sure all those eligible to vote could do so.

It was a heartwarming sight to observe young new voters waiting patiently in line and to see so many parents bringing their children along to witness this important act of casting a vote for the candidate of one’s choice.

So many of them had huge grins on their faces as they walked away from the voting stations, smiles made even bigger by the pleasant older gentleman steadily handing out the little “I voted” stickers and often quipping “You’ve done your duty, now here’s your medal.”

My thanks to all those who voted and to those election officials who made for such a special day. What a country.

Janis Cromer
Richardsville