Although my story is not as dramatic as Tara's ordeal, it was somewhat frustrating. We arrived to vote and while looking at the back of the sample ballot to ascertain which table was our sign-in area, we were of course approached by a poll worker. This was not a problem, he was just being helpful, but he had a slight odor that was enhanced by the stifling heat in the building. The woman at the sign-in table had coke bottle glasses and had to get about 3" from the page to read our names. While we were going through the formalities, the previous man asked if we were computer savvy and would one of us like to try the new electronic machine. Of course we said yes, I had read about this trial run of the machines in our local paper and was eager to see how it all worked. He went to get it ready as we were receiving our ballots. As we watched and waited, 3 or 4 other poll workers joined him at the machine and all appeared to be somewhat at a loss of how to operate the machine. The coke glasses lady, not knowing what we were waiting for, kept directing us to the booths. When I told her we had been asked to try the new electronic machine, she stated that it was only for the hard of hearing and those who could not see very well. By this time the man came back and said that they couldn't figure out the machine and we would have to go ahead and vote manually. This was okay with me because I was beginning to suffocate and could not wait to get outside. We quickly marked all to the circles next to "Republican" candidates, voted for or against the various measures and propositions, then made a mad dash for the door.
I looked up the information on becoming a poll volunteer and discovered that you actually get paid for the day. So unlike Tara, this will not be my last vote, but rather next year I will most likely sign up to be a local poll inspector / clerk. (The inspector for each local precinct gets paid $20 more than a clerk). The pay is about $150 for the day.
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