Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, November 3, 1993 TAG: 9311030407
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: By MICHAEL CSOLLANY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Oliver Strawn is something of a political and social historian. The retiree from Blacksburg has worked the polls on Election Day for more than 15 years.
He has witnessed many changes, including the way in which county voters make their selections.
When Strawn started, the paper ballot was still in use.
He said he didn't mind when the county switched to the voting machines. ``They make counting of the ballots much much easier,'' he said.
Strawn said that over the years, he hasn't noticed any differences in voter turnout, but he has noticed more parents bringing their children to vote with them. This is also a good change, he said.
``It's good for them to get into the habit of coming here,'' he said.
Making sure the 25,967 registered voters of Montgomery County have smooth and fair access to the polls is no easy task.
That's why an army of nearly 120 poll workers, including Strawn, descended upon the voting places at 5:15 a.m. Tuesday to begin what could be an 18-hour day.
``It's a very dedicated service that these `officers of election' perform for the county,'' said Jean Nelson, chairwoman of the county Electoral Board and, previously, a poll worker for 10 years.
The officers were at the polls from the time they opened until long after they closed. Registrar Sandra Chapin said that some workers were still at the polls - tallying results and checking for errors - as late as 11:45 p.m. last year.
They didn't even get any official breaks.
But for their efforts, the officers did get $75. The chief officer - responsible for transporting election materials and trouble shooting - got $100 and reimbursement for mileage.
There is not much competition for the job, but poll workers said they do it because they enjoy the chance to get out to meet neighbors and see friends.
``I'm new to this area,'' said Winnie Myers, who worked at the Blacksburg Community Center. ``And thought it would be a great way to meet the community.''
The ``officers of election'' attended a three-hour training workshop sponsored by the Board of Elections and the registrar. There, they were taught the latest laws, regulations and guidelines for elections.
Nelson said guidelines are constantly changing. This year, for example, candidates are allowed to enter a polling place for 10 minutes to greet voters. Previously, this would have been considered electioneering.
Lines were small, by most accounts, at the county's voting places in the late morning and early afternoon Tuesday. Mornings were hectic, officers said, and crowds were expected to return after 4 p.m.
Occasionally, the poll workers had to re-route voters who came to the wrong precinct, but usually the process was simply to identify the citizen and then direct him or her to the booth - sometimes explaining how to vote.
But folks only asked how as opposed to whom.
``The voters know we're not supposed to give that kind of information,'' said poll-worker Claude Bess.
by CNB