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CADIZ -- With the general election on Tuesday fast approaching, many people are eager to get out to the polls and cast their votes for the candidates of their choice. But the election can't run smoothly without the many dedicated workers who help run the polls and answer questions voters have on Election Day.
In Harrison County, Board of Elections Director Cindy Bear said her staff is busily preparing for the upcoming election. Bear said she has 64 employees working to help make sure the election in the county goes off exactly as planned. Bear said that on Election Day, her employees will be spread out over the 16 precincts in the county, with four workers apiece at each polling location. The workers have a long day ahead of them when they show up to work, said Bear.
"We recommend they be there at 5:30 a.m., 6 at the latest," said Bear. " They're there until the polls are closed and they get cleaned up, usually at 8 (p.m.)."
Poll workers are trained before Election Day, to ensure they can assist voters to the best of their ability. Once they get to their polling locations, Bear said they are free to divide jobs up between themselves. When a citizen comes in to cast their vote, employees will ask for their identification, sign them in and hand them their ballot. After the citizen has voted, the employee will take their ballot and give the voter a sticker proudly stating "I Voted!"
Some poll workers are new to the cause, while others have been at the job for many years. Larry Sickle, a member of Cadiz Village Council, has been serving as a poll worker for more than 30 years. He said he started helping out back in high school.
"My aunt worked the polls for years and helped get me involved as an alternate," said Sickle, who has continued his involvement ever since. Sickle mentioned that if he is on the ballot, he makes sure that he doesn't work the polls in Cadiz. He also thanked all of the other workers who put in long hours to make sure others get the chance to vote.
"I appreciate the poll workers who put in their time and do the best they can in providing the service to the voters," said Sickle.
Bear agreed, saying she enjoys working with the people on her staff and that they should be applauded for the efforts they put in on one of the most important days of the year.
"We could not do the election without them. They do an excellent job," she said.