Spotlight on Student Poll Workers - Justin Stroud, Crossroads High School

My day at the polls began at 6 am. I found my way in, and there were a few other workers already there. First, we set up the voting machines. We checked to make sure they all had 0 votes on them. I signed verifying this. After all the machines were set up, we hung up signs saying no campaigning within 150 feet of the building, and we measured out 150 feet in each direction.

Once inside, it was just about 7 am, so we took our places at the polls. I worked the machines that gave everyone the card with which to vote. Because I am a bit of a computer guy, I enjoyed this work very much. It was fun giving out all the cards and socializing with all the people coming to vote. I got to meet some very interesting characters while working the polls.

The new technology is great. It seems infinitely more efficient than the old methods I've heard about. It works perfectly, and keeps track of everyone that has voted. It's very difficult to make a mistake with these machines. When I finished my shift at 1 pm, just fewer than 300 people had voted. It was a fairly decent turnout, I believe.

I enjoyed working at the poll very much, and I intend to work the polls every chance I get in the future. The other people working the polls with me were extremely nice, and I enjoyed all the conversation I was able to have with each person.