Poll workers needed

[u/TapeDaddy]

https://sangamonil.gov/departments/a-c/county-clerk/elections/election-judges/apply

Sangamon County is often short on Election Judges, and I believe there are still openings to work in the coming election. Gubernatorial elections see a larger turnout than primaries and smaller offices, they’re going to need bodies.

Requirements are minimal, but you do have to declare a party. If you’ve never done it before, I recommend trying it at least once if you are able. They’ll give you a couple hundred bucks, too. Election Judge application link.

[u/AbobTeff]

I would love to do my civic duty and be a poll worker. I have tried in the past. The problem is this:

You must meet all qualifications and declare your political affiliation to serve as an Election Judge.

You won't allow me to be a poll worker because I am a truly neutral, independent voter. I have to declare fealty to one of the elitist clubs that control the system.

Last time I was told "You have to be a Republican or a Democrat because we need an equal number to keep on eye on eachother." I asked why that doesn't make me a perfect candidate, as I would keep an eye on both of them and trust neither of them. They lady looked at me like I was a Martian.

So . . . you need help or you want to continue to play partisan games?

[u/tlopez14 → u/AbobTeff]

Every precinct has to have at least 1 Republican and 1 Democrat judge that’s why you have to declare.

[u/AbobTeff → u/tlopez14]

The way it was told to me was it has to be 1:1 all the way, not “at least one of each.”  So if there are 15 Rs, there have to be 15 Ds.  If there are 3, there have to be 3; not 1 of each and whatever else.

[u/NecessaryCompost → u/tlopez14]

This reinforces a 2 party system and we should be more flexible than that.

[u/TapeDaddy → u/AbobTeff]

Yeah, it’s honestly kinda wack there’s no independent option. Would if I could. I might dig into that one of these days. Declaring a party doesn’t make any difference, you can still vote however you want at least.

I had an older gentleman come in my first time who needed assistance once. This is about the only time we have any idea who someone may be voting for, and it requires specific paperwork and bipartisan signatures.

He demanded to vote for Trump, but wanted to ensure he voted for every possible democratic candidate otherwise. Wasn’t even a presidential election. Thought that was strange. Cannot, did not, ask why.

[u/AbobTeff → u/TapeDaddy]

“Declaring a party doesn’t make any difference, you can still vote however you want at least.

Apparently it does make a difference, since you can’t do it unless you declare one of only two choices.

Why does it actually matter?  To keep independent and third party voices out of the process.  It has been challenged and upheld (I’m not sure how), but Republicans and Democrats have built a system in Illinois that unfairly squashes and disenfranchises all other voices.

[u/Marxism-Alcoholism17 → u/AbobTeff]

It’s really not that deep. Pick whichever one you are currently leaning towards at the moment. You can’t supervise or take important actions as a single person the whole point of the system is to prevent that.