Election Day

Lex Martinez

Mr.Hussey

U.S. History

27 April 2016

Primary Election Volunteer Reflection

For my experience on Election day, this past Tuesday, was an experience that I will not forget. Being outside on election day felt like I was already eighteen years of age going out and voting for the first time, meeting new and old individuals that also are voting, and on the front lines making sure the voting process goes smoothly without any violations or errors in the process. Within four hours I learned a lot about what it takes to set up voting stations, monitor, and secure the stations. Walking from station to station was a bit of a hassle but thinking of it as a bit of summer exercise made it all the better! With my partner Jason, we took the time to view the area where the stations are located, some stations where a local church, a recreational center, and the back of a library. These three stations seem relatively popular and in areas where it will attract plenty of individuals, this was key to make people vote without forcing them instead to influence them indirectly. Jason and I didn’t get to meet any of the candidates, such a bummer, but did get to meet some of the volunteers to see their perspective on working at the poll booths and we did get some of their perspectives on who they wanted to see in office. Many felt like they should go with the “wave” according to the popular opinion but some people had reasonable evidence on why they chose their respectable candidate. I had only one questions about the election process regarding the paper ballots handed out to the public and why they didn’t allow all candidates to have their name on those ballots, Mr.Hussey enlightened me on the fact that the candidates pay tons of the big bucks for their name to be placed and bold on the sheets. I felt that this would be unfair because it led the public to believe that on the democratic side only Hilary C. was running when Bernie S. was also running as well.

Overall, the experience as a doosy. Waking up smelling the fresh polluted air and working at the poll booths. It was a great day!