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election 2020
Nov. 1st, 2020 04:29 pmHappy November! We've had a weekend of gorgeous weather -- sunny, clear, breezy -- which looks to continue for the week. That means Election Day on Tuesday will have fantastic weather, at least here in Houston, which is good for the voters. I am working the polls as an election clerk Tuesday, starting from 6am and ending, at earliest, at 8pm -- though it will of course depend on how many people remain in line at our location when polls close at 7pm and how long it takes to get through them then start breaking things down and packing up.
So a long day, one where I am admittedly a little anxious about various things: COVID-19 of course, given that this will be a long day indoors with high traffic, though all workers will be provided PPE (N95 mask, face shield, sanitizer, alcohol wipes, plexiglass) and social distancing will be maintained, but in Texas we can't require the voters wear masks to vote. Lovely.
I suspect most will be good about it, but my other worry factors in here. With so many Democrats having participated in early voting, I worry how many Republicans will form the bulk of the voter turnout on Election Day, and I don't look forward to belligerence or racism, especially with regards to masks or electioneering (telling people they can't wear anything branded with an official candidate or campaign slogan, including MAGA). I also worry about ballots, drive-thru voting, poll watchers, people showing up with guns or using caravan intimidations on the roads -- but that really is mostly unlikely and I should just stop reading the news. Thankfully, I will not be alone and the presiding election judge is the one who has to handle all the tough decisions. I just have to be my most pleasant customer-service self for a long day.
We can't have electronic devices in the polling station, though, so no scrolling through Twitter on my phone, which will be for the best. Results will take some time and I have alcohol prepared either way, but it will be good to be busy and tired for most of that day and evening. We'll assess where we are on Wednesday morning, I guess. I will have done what I can, anyway.
It has been a nice weekend though, and I am grateful for that.
So a long day, one where I am admittedly a little anxious about various things: COVID-19 of course, given that this will be a long day indoors with high traffic, though all workers will be provided PPE (N95 mask, face shield, sanitizer, alcohol wipes, plexiglass) and social distancing will be maintained, but in Texas we can't require the voters wear masks to vote. Lovely.
I suspect most will be good about it, but my other worry factors in here. With so many Democrats having participated in early voting, I worry how many Republicans will form the bulk of the voter turnout on Election Day, and I don't look forward to belligerence or racism, especially with regards to masks or electioneering (telling people they can't wear anything branded with an official candidate or campaign slogan, including MAGA). I also worry about ballots, drive-thru voting, poll watchers, people showing up with guns or using caravan intimidations on the roads -- but that really is mostly unlikely and I should just stop reading the news. Thankfully, I will not be alone and the presiding election judge is the one who has to handle all the tough decisions. I just have to be my most pleasant customer-service self for a long day.
We can't have electronic devices in the polling station, though, so no scrolling through Twitter on my phone, which will be for the best. Results will take some time and I have alcohol prepared either way, but it will be good to be busy and tired for most of that day and evening. We'll assess where we are on Wednesday morning, I guess. I will have done what I can, anyway.
It has been a nice weekend though, and I am grateful for that.
