Loudoun County Democratic Committee

1. Loudoun County Democratic Committee November 2013 Election – Poll Worker Training October 24, 2013

2. Course Introduction Goal for the training: To prepare LCDC Precinct Operations polling place volunteers to carry out all activities and tasks required to assist the citizens of Loudoun County cast their ballots and vote in Virginia’s 2013 statewide election.

3. Course Learning Objectives At the end of this training, you will be able to: • Summarize the key precinct operations • Organize the opening of a precinct-polling site • Identify the key tasks an LCDC poll worker will carry out on election day • Complete the required post-election polling site shutdown and clean-up activities

4. Course Map At a Glance Training Topics: Precinct Operations Overview Opening a Precinct Poll Site Responsibilities Precinct Poll Workers—Key Election Day tasks Precinct Poll Site Closing Responsibilities Summary and Wrap up

5. Precinct Operations Overview • The importance of Election Day for the LCDC • Culmination of all election cycle efforts • "We must, indeed, all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately."—Ben Franklin

6. Precinct Operations Overview • Roles and Responsibilities • Poll workers’ • District Chairs (DC’s) • LCDC Officers • Democratic Party of Virginia(DPVA)

7. Precinct Operations Overview • Roles and Responsibilities • Poll workers • Tip of the spear • Focus—Sample Ballot & voters

8. Precinct Operations Overview • Roles and Responsibilities • District Chairs (DC’s)—Logistical Support • Prepare and get election materials to polling site • Work with Precinct Captains to staff polling sites. • Serve as back-up openers • Primary Point of Contact (POC)

9. Precinct Operations Overview • Roles and Responsibilities • LCDC Officers and Executives—County Strategic Operations • Address county-wide polling site issues • Keep polling sites supplied • Logistical Support as Required • Provide “Situational guidance” (a.k.a. “Who you gonna call?”) • Communicate with District and DPVA

10. Precinct Operations Overview • Roles and Responsibilities • DPVA—Ensures the integrity of election process • Integrates the state wide activities of all campaigns • Protects voter rights • Provides situational guidance as needed

11. Opening a Precinct Poll Site Activities • Polling Site Setup Processes and Procedures • Secure Precinct Box and election materials • Arrival time: 5:15-5:30 AM • Introduce yourself to the Chief • Physical LCDC site set up requirements • Organization of sample ballots, campaign literature and LCDC materials

12. Opening a Precinct Poll Site Activities • Precinct Box Inventory Review • The inventory checklist • Sample Ballots • Checker Authorization forms • Campaign literature • LCDC Membership forms

13. Opening a Precinct Poll Site Activities • Polling Site Equipment Review • Table/Chairs • Recycle Box • Stones/paper weights • Clear plastic bags • Tape & Scissors • Flashlight • Umbrella • Stickers • Other items as required

14. Precinct Poll Workers—Key Tasks Things Poll Workers Do • Sample ballot distribution • LCDC’s liaison to Election Officials • Interact with Voters • Address polling site issues • Promote LCDC/DPVA activities and candidates • Manage interactions with opposition candidate representatives • Follow LCDC media and communication policy guidelines

15. Precinct Poll Workers—Key Tasks Things Poll Workers Do • Sample Ballot Distribution • Poll Workers’ main objective: Hand out a sample ballot into as many voters as possible • Remind voters the ballot has “two sides” • Promote “Down Ticket Voting” • Answer questions about “Democratic” ballot choices

16. Precinct Poll Workers—Key Tasks Things Poll Workers Do • Poll workers are the LCDC’s On-site Liaison with Election Officials • Precinct Chief • Relay vote count info to the LCDC • Signed Authorization to enter inside the polling place

17. Precinct Poll Workers—Key Tasks Things Poll Workers Do • LCDC’s “Face to the Voter” • Meet the Four Basic Voter Types • Enthusiastic Democratic Voter • Confused Democratic Voter • Ambivalent Independent Voter • Angry Anti-Democratic Voter

18. Precinct Poll Workers—Key Tasks Things Poll Workers Do • Enthusiastic Democratic Voter • Expresses admiration for one or more of our candidates • Wants to talk about issues • Distracting, but recruit able! • Get contact information • Thank you for voting!

19. Precinct Poll Workers—Key Tasks Things Poll Workers Do • Confused Democratic Voter • Uncertain about ballot issues • Voter ID questions • Questions about our candidates • Assist and Clarify • Thank you for voting!

20. Precinct Poll Workers—Key Tasks Things Poll Workers Do • Ambivalent Independent Voter • Doesn’t want a Sample Ballot • Says they know how they are voting • Doesn’t want to be bothered • Probably won’t take a sample ballot • “Thank you for voting”

21. Precinct Poll Workers—Key Tasks Things Poll Workers Do • Angry Anti-Democratic Voter • Expresses hostility toward Democratic candidates • Do not engage—Even if they want to “talk” • Do NOT Confront • “Thank you for voting!”

22. Precinct Poll Workers—Key Tasks Things Poll Workers Do • Special Needs Voters • Disabled Voters • Inside the poll • Curb side voting • Ask Precinct Chief for assistance

23. Precinct Poll Workers—Key Tasks Things Poll Workers Do • English As A Second Language (ESL)Voters • Importance of the minority vote • Game Changer Voters • Offer Spanish Language sample ballot • Hot line for help asking questions

24. Precinct Poll Workers—Key Tasks Things Poll Workers Do • Addressing this year’s potential polling site issues • Voter ID Issues • Voter Role purge problems • Voter Intimidation • Other issues TBD • DPVA Voter Protection: 1-855-910-VOTE

25. Precinct Poll Workers—Key Tasks Things Poll Workers Do • Manage interactions with opposition candidate representatives • Be friendly—Non-confrontational • Don’t be distracted—Focus on Sample Ballot distribution

26. Precinct Poll Workers—Key Tasks Things Poll Workers Do • Promote LCDC/DPVA activities and candidates • Provide LCDC Info • Get recruitment information • Note: Don’t delay a voter if they’re not engaging with you.

27. Precinct Poll Workers—Key Tasks Things Poll Workers Do • Follow LCDC media and communication policy guidelines • Only LCDC Chairman speaks for the LCDC • Respond to media questions as a “citizen/voter”

28. Precinct Poll Workers—Key Tasks Practical Points for Poll Workers • First Shifts--Pack your vehicle the night before • Dress for weather and time of day • Wear comfortable shoes • Show off your “Dem-Wear” buttons and T-shirts • Put up signs and table to secure your spot • No Campaign-wear inside polling place • Remember to remove campaign buttons, • Cover shirt logos, etc. • Bring your cell phone and extra batteries

29. Poll Site Closing Responsibilities • Poll Site Closing and Clean Up • You know the polls are closed when…. • Official Closing time • Election Chief’s Announcement • Polling site clean-up tasks • Trash removal • Yard sign removal • Pack up Precinct Box • Return equipment to District • Effective polling site clean-up is a “Democratic Value” too

30. Poll Site Closing Responsibilities • Poll Site Closing and Clean Up • Join in at O'Faolain's! • Enjoy the fruits of your labor • Go the last mile with our candidates • Watch history being made • Be a presence in Loudoun County

31. Summary and Wrap up Review of Learning Objectives Tonight we reviewed: • A summary ofthe LCDC Precinct Operations tasks • Organizing a precinct-polling site opening • The key tasks an LCDC poll worker will carry out on election day • Complete the required post-election polling site shutdown and clean-upactivities

32. Summary and Wrap up Thank you and Go Dems!