A poll worker from Generation Y

1. What kind of money do you make being a poll worker? It’s $80 for the day, I think. We’re there from 6 in the morning until 7 at night. 2. I know there’s a big focus on training for the job. Tell me about the education you receive. You take a class; they show you the machines, what the ballots look like for that particular election. You can take another class for a presiding judge. 3. So, you’re making peanuts, you’re working a double shift and you need to take extra time for education. What motivates you to do this job? It’s definitely not about money, for sure. I just really believe you need to be involved in your government and making decisions. I hear a lot of people who get upset about decisions, but they’re not registered to vote and they haven’t been a part of the decision-making process at all. It’s just the right thing to do. 4. What is it about people turning out to vote only every four years? I don’t think people realize the importance of their local government. It makes a difference and affects your life. People just think they need to vote for the president and the rest doesn’t matter. 5. What do you do on those low-turnout days? I read an entire book one day. Front to back. The whole thing. 6. Someone your age is a rarity to be involved with the civic process of voting. The reason I’m involved is that I care about the decisions that are made. Younger people sometimes don’t take the time to understand how things affect them and the importance of it. 7. Do you see a need for a new generation of poll workers? Definitely. I haven’t met very many people my age are doing it. My sister is doing it and her school is letting her out for the day. And I roped my husband into it, too.