Welcome

1. Welcome • To the Franklin County Supervisor of Elections On-Line Presentation. • New Poll Worker Orientation and Information.

2. Upcoming Elections: • August 24, 2010 – Primary Election • November 2, 2010 - General Election

3. A note about our Supervisor of Elections • The Supervisor of Elections for our county is the Honorable Ida C. Elliott. • Ida has worked in the elections office for 29 years and was elected to her first term as Supervisor in August 2008.

4. What this presentation will cover: • Who can be a Poll Worker. • Who makes up the precinct staff. • What are the responsibilities. • What should a new poll worker expect.

5. Why We Do What We Do….. • Poll Workers are the Gatekeepers of Democracy. As a Poll Worker, you provide service assisting a voter on Election Day. • Most Poll Workers find this service a rewarding experience. • You do earn money for training and for working on Election Day.

6. Who are Poll Workers?You must be….. • 18 years of age or older. • A registered voter in Franklin County. If you are not a registered voter in Franklin County you may do so from the “Voter Registration” link available on our website. • Able to speak, read and write in English and be comfortable with numbers and letters. • Complete Poll Worker Training Classes. By law, you must attend a training class prior to each Election. • At ease with working with the public. This is very important ! Voters in Franklin County deserve the best service we can provide. • Be able to work a 14 plus hour day. By law, you cannot leave your polling location once you have signed in for the day.

7. Poll Worker Positions and Pay • Clerk • Asst. Clerk • Inspectors • Deputy • Poll Worker Payment Depends on your Position.

8. The Staff Members at the Precinct Include: • Clerk • Asst. Clerk • Deputy • Inspectors • Machine Inspectors • Precinct Register Inspectors • Alternates or Substitutes * You do not need to pick a position at this time.

9. The Clerk • Manages the polling location • Is an experienced Poll Worker, anyone can work towards becoming a Clerk and you are encouraged to do so • Is responsible for the pick up and delivery of some of the supplies needed on Election Day • Reconciles the paper work on Election Night • Is a seasoned problem-solver

10. The Assistant Clerk • The Assistant Clerk is a clerk in training. • They are the “Asst. Managers” of the location assisting the clerk in their duties. • In addition to learning the general processes of managing a location on Election Day, the Asst. Clerk also works with the voters to help problem solve. • The Asst. Clerk may also be trained to understand the needs of voters with disabilities or special needs.

11. Most Poll Workers start as inspectors. Inspectors form the largest group of election officials on Election Day. The inspectors work directly with Voters throughout the day. Happy faces and good customer service are a must. We generally use two types of inspectors. Inspectors

12. (1) Precinct Register Inspector • These Inspectors help voters sign in on Election Day. • You must be able to locate a voter’s name and verify the voter’s address. • You must be able to write legibly to record the voters name on the Poll List. • You must also prepare and hand the voter a paper ballot and direct the voter to the privacy booth. • This is one of the most IMPORTANT jobs in a polling location. • As an inspector you will fill many hats. You will fill in for other inspectors when they need a break. • You will be responsible to check each booth throughout the day to make sure no ballot has been left behind or any sample ballots or trash have been removed.

13. (2) Machine Inspector • Works with voters who are placing their ballots in our optical scan voting machine. • Must be willing and able to assist voters in case of technical problems and maintain voter privacy and confidence. • Will learn how the optical scan voting machine works and how best to help voters. • Will learn how the ADA accessible voting equipment works and will assist any voters with disabilities requiring the use of that equipment.

14. Deputy • The Deputy is the Clerk’s eyes outside. • They raise the flag at the polling location and set up the “Vote Here” signs, measure off the 100 ft. radius for solicitation and help voters that need assistance into the polling location. • They keep a watchful eye on solicitors to make sure they meet statutory requirements. • You are the first person the voter usually meets. A smile and courteous manner are a real plus !!!! • They will stand in line behind last voter in line at 7:00 pm to assure no late voting is allowed.

15. Every attempt will be made to place you in your voting precinct. However….. • There might not be a position available in that precinct. • We need a balance of party affiliations at each precinct. • The more flexible you are in placement, the more opportunities you will have to work on Election day.

16. Poll Worker Responsibilities • To attend scheduled training classes. You will receive notice of training when you are assigned to work. • To arrive at the precinct on time. You must be at your polling location by 6:00 am. • To do their part to ensure fair elections. This means you must do your best to adhere to what you have learned in class and work with your Clerk to assure the voters in Franklin County are treated fairly and with respect.

17. Training provides you the tools to Protect Voter Rights. Educates you so that you understand - State Election Law - Standard procedure for Election Day It provides you with hands-on experience. Open discussion on the needs of all voters. You do get paid for training. Training is Required by Law !

18. It is important to understand that if you do not attend the classes you cannot work the elections. • Training will be 2-3 hours. • You will receive notice of where and when training will be held once you have been assigned to work. • You will be paid for training but you must complete the training.

19. Working in the Upcoming Elections • On Election Day you will report to your polling location by 6:00 am. • Once there, you will help with the polling room setup. • The Clerk will announce the polls are open at 7:00 am sharp. (The polls are open for voting 7 am until 7 pm, unless otherwise directed by the Governor) • You will help close the polls by packing up supplies, helping the Clerk and Assistant Clerk do their reconciliation paperwork and tidy up. • You are part of the team ! You must stay until everything is done. Only the Clerk can tell you when you may leave.

20. Poll Worker Do’s • Do remain Non Partisan. This includes how you dress and what topics you discuss. • Do remain at your Polling Location. • Do bring what you will need to eat and drink for the day. • Do bring a seat cushion if you require it. • Do bring your medications for the day. • Do dress comfortably and appropriately. • Do Vote! You need to vote just like everyone else, either by mail, early voting or at your precinct if you are working at your precinct.

21. Poll Worker Don’ts • Don’t bring newspapers, radio, televisions or other electrical devices that may have election information on them. This is to protect you and the voter from what may be perceived as voter intimidation. • Don’t wear or bring political items. Designs that include elephants, donkeys or other commonly known political images can intimidate. • Don’t bring alcoholic beverages. • Don’t use your personal cell phones in the presence of voters. If you need to make a call just let your Clerk know and you can leave the Polling room. • Don’t smoke inside the Polling room or at the entry/exit door. If you must smoke please do so in a designated smoking area outside of the Polling room.

22. So, what is my next step? • Please give careful thought to being a Poll Worker. It isn’t for everyone. For those of us that love it, we look forward to working every Election. • Complete the Poll Worker Application Form and return it to the Supervisor of Elections Office. • Get involved ! If this doesn’t feel like the right thing for you, get involved with some other organization. Your county needs you !

23. Still have questions? Contact us: Franklin County Supervisor of Elections Office Ida C. Elliott, Supervisor email: icelliott@votefranklin.com Heather C. Riley, Asst. Supervisor email: hcriley@votefranklin.com Carrie F. Johnson, Deputy Clerk email: cjohnson@votefranklin.com 47 Ave F Apalachicola, Florida 32320 850-653-9520 / 850-697-0503