The Election Process

By Del Duduit

Last week, I had the pleasure – I guess I can call it that – to work in my local Board of Elections office and help prepare the county for the dreaded election day.

For the past 25 years plus, I have served as my precinct committee person for the  Republican party, which means I make sure the polls in my area are filled with workers, and have tried to educate the residents I serve as much as I can.

But this election, the likes no one will ever forget, I got down in the trenches.

On Monday, I was on one of five trucks loaded down with about 250 voting machines, flags, I-pads, cleaning equipment and more. Everything needed for constituents in Scioto County to cast a ballot.

The task was not easy. It was grueling and thankless.

I hopped on truck number five about 7:30 a.m. and we hit the road. Well, sort of after it was jump-started.

We had about six stops to make throughout the day. Our job was to set up all the machines and make sure all systems were a go for Tuesday’s big day. If there was an issue, we fixed it.

I didn’t make it back to the courthouse until about 8:30 p.m. and had to be at a polling location the next day at 5: 45 a.m.

On election day, my job was to go from voting location to location and put out any fires and solve any problems related to the machines.

I want everyone who is legally able to vote, but I do have some concerns when people show up and don’t have a clue as to what is going on or how or where to vote.

One gentleman showed up in the courthouse demanding to vote. On election day, no one can cast a ballot at the courthouse. They must go to their location, show a proper ID and receive a card to insert into the machines and follow the prompts.

He thought it was a conspiracy and that he was being denied his right to vote.

In my opinion that man should not be allowed to vote if he does not know the rules. But that’s me.

And I firmly believe a person should have to take a test before they can cast a vote for people who will be in charge of our government. Nothing difficult, but to at least prove the person voting has some intelligence and knowledge.

People must take a test to graduate school, to obtain a driver’s license or to have a carry-and-conceal permit. Why not a test to vote to see if they understand the way our nation operates? But I guess that would eliminate about 40 percent of the electorate.

I left the courthouse at 10: 30 p.m. and stayed up until 2:00 a.m. Then I had to be back at the courthouse at 7 a.m. on Wednesday to retrieve all the voting machines.

This was a little easier because we had to take them down and load up the trucks.

Overall, the entire process was smooth, but long and tedious.

There is a lot that goes into pulling off an election, even in a small rural portion of Southern Ohio.

A lot of behind-the-scenes work most people don’t realize. I cannot imagine what takes place in a major city.

But I survived.

For many years, Angie worked the polls and put in a long day. Poll workers have a big responsibility.

 

Many people sacrifice in order for us to enjoy our freedom and privilege to vote.

Some results go the way I hope while others do not.

 

But I am still an American citizen who has done his part to help our constitutional electoral process.

Thousands of men and woman have died so I can enjoy this privilege.

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It should never be taken for granted or abused, but there are signs of both.

The system works when it’s not tampered with and there are a lot of moving parts.

Our faith and journey with God are a lot like voting.

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All of the heavy lifting was done when Christ was crucified. Then it all came together three days later when He rose from the grave and was declared the winner.

It’s simple. All you have to do is cast your ballot in favor of the King of Kings. No politics. Just salvation.

A wise man’s heart is at his right hand; but a fool’s heart at his left. (Ecclesiastes 10: 2 KJV)

Whether you vote for Him or not, He’s still the ruler of all the Nations. You might as well join His party.

God bless America.

Del Duduit is an award-winning writer and author who lives in Lucasville, Ohio with his wife, Angie. They attend Rubyville Community Church. Follow his blog at delduduit.com/blog and his Twitter @delduduit. He is represented by Cyle Young of Hartline Literary Agency.