Last night, the call came... my subordinate let me know that the County Board of Elections had dropped off a bunch of voting machines. Somehow, management spaced out on this, and I didn't have any advance notice, so I hadn't arranged coverage. No biggie, I had to handle this one myself, though it would mean I'd get about three hours of sleep. I always joke that the job is very cushy unless it isn't. I was up by three-thirty, out the door by four-fifteen, and at work before five. I received a briefing from the overnight guy and opened the building up for the poll workers, who were expected at five-thirty. Being the guy with the institutional memory, I was able to tell the poll workers where to plug in the voting machines, the best places to put the voters' tables. I know about half of this election's crew, a lot of poll workers are repeats every year.
Shortly after ten, a school group, a bunch of fourth graders from Connecticut, came in for a workshop. They filed into the building in orderly fashion to use the facilities and headed outside for their program. After a few hours, they filed back into the building and had their lunch in a greenhouse behind our gift shop, which still hasn't opened for the regular season. They were very well behaved students, they were quiet, and the poll workers remarked on the kids' manners... they didn't distract from the proceedings in the room next to the greenhouse, where the polling site had been set up.
The election has been quiet- it's a local election, and most of the positions are uncontested. I wonder how many of the voters have showed up to cast write-in votes to show that they still have the power to choose. I don't think a dozen voters have crossed the threshold. I've spent a good deal of time doing paperwork- I am cobbling together the April schedule for my team. Our custodian treated me to lunch in return for me entering his business expenses (mainly mileage) into the requisite Excel spreadsheets and sending them off to the main office.
It's been a quiet day, but I have to admit that I am one tired fellow. My relief comes in around five, and I think I'll just crash for twenty minutes before even contemplating getting behind the wheel of my car.
So do you work for the city where you live? Odd time of the year for local elections. In my experience , you get more excitement in local elections when developers or zoning changes are involved.
ReplyDeletethough it would mean I'd get about three hours of sleep
ReplyDeleteIf I get ten less minutes of sleep than usual, I freak out and take a sick day.
You must be a very important person!
My job is sort of the same way. The downtime balances out with the days that are just too much. More or less.
ReplyDeleteI hope the right people win.
So do you work for the city where you live? Odd time of the year for local elections. In my experience , you get more excitement in local elections when developers or zoning changes are involved.
ReplyDeleteNo, I work for an educational not-for-profit in another town, but we have one of the biggest public spaces in the area, so we host local elections and even town council meetings when the town officials need the space.
You must be a very important person!
I wouldn't describe myself as important, but I am essential, which is a funny distinction. Because the voting takes place over sixteen hours, all four of the people in my department have to work on election days in order to make sure things run smoothly.
My job is sort of the same way. The downtime balances out with the days that are just too much. More or less.
That's how a lot of jobs are these days, which is why any attempts to fiddle with overtime being contingent on weekly hours are regressive.