As Election Day drew near, tensions remained higher than ever. Recently, there have been numerous violent threats against poll workers across the country. This is especially prevalent as former President Trump claimed voter fraud in the 2020 election. In the most important and tightest election of our time, the poll workers stayed ready to keep the people’s promises of making sure that this was a fair election.
Monitoring the voting process isn’t particularly an easy job in itself. Therefore, when election workers are facing threats made by voters, this job can get a bit more stressful. “It’s not the poll workers’ fault,” said Phyllis Black, a poll worker at the local John Knox precinct. “We cannot control the voting system.”
With many uncertain voters, poll workers are always there to help them out. “You have to pay attention to what [the candidates] are saying,” said Bernadette Tyson, who has been a clerk for 15 years. “However, are they going to act on those things that they said?” Tyson brings up her children who needed help in the voting process.
She emphasized that people need to stay updated in what candidates are saying. “I answer questions people have to the best of my ability.” Workers like Tyson are there to make sure people are informed, not persuaded. Staying objective is critical, especially in this current election.
Tyson states, “This presidential election is really, really important. This is someone that’s leading our future, our country.” This is emphasized because of her very own issues that she wants solved. “I think about my mom, who is 84 years old on social security.” Whatever benefits her and other people’s needs, that candidate would be right for them. This is why the truth of the results is in everybody’s minds.
The reliability of the U.S. Government has definitely decreased over recent years. This is exactly why we are seeing an increase in people voting. Citizens that chose not to vote in previous elections are now participating in this election. This is why accuracy doesn’t only affect this election, but even elections after this one.
“I think [this election] will be accurate,” Black said with no worries. Even with this said, just recently ballot boxes were found on the side of the road after they fell off a truck. However, Tyson still thinks the results will be valid. “They should be accurate now where we don’t have any of those mistakes again.” With election workers facing many critiques from the people, the process of this election should be done fairly and most importantly, accurately.
It is important for people to remember that these workers are people too, and they have multiple issues they want to see solved after Trump gets sworn in. “Abortion and the border are my top issues,” Tyson states.
Despite the challenges, poll workers like Tyson and Black remain dedicated to the democratic process, doing their best to ensure a fair and accurate election.
