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Monday, Nov. 02, 2009

Hilmar woman helps make sure voting goes smoothly -- for 25 years

HILMAR -- Voters and elected leaders alike may want to take a moment Tuesday to thank Laurette Locke and Merced County's other poll workers.

Without them, elections couldn't be held.

For the past 25 years here, Locke and a team of poll workers have set up voting machines, handed out ballots and torn off "I Voted" stickers to hand out to citizens.

They welcome familiar faces and praise those casting a ballot for the first time.

"We try to make it special for them," the 52-year-old Locke said. "We tell them how proud we are and that we're glad they're coming in."

Locke's seen the progress of voting technology and heard political gripes from citizens, such as when Gov. Gray Davis was recalled. Some wanted him gone, others couldn't believe Arnold Schwarzenegger would be governor.

Poll workers are the oil keeping representative democracy running smoothly. Between 200 and 300 residents in Merced County are tapped to run the polls, depending on the size of the election.

This election, there'll be 55 polling spots with three to four people making sure voting's going smoothly.

Poll workers are paid $130 for the day's labor. Inspectors earn $150.

"The people who work the polls, most of them, have been doing it year after year," Assistant County Clerk-Registrar of Voters Stacey Cotter said. "We're so appreciative of their commitment."

Locke followed the example set five decades ago by her mother, who at 90 still spends the day at the polls handing out stickers.

The first election Locke voted in was a school board race. She knew both candidates and felt uncomfortable having to choose one over another.

The machine she voted on had levers for each candidate, along with a long arm to yank when you were done casting votes. Since then, she's voted for presidents, governors and supervisors.

Over time, the technology has changed. From the machine with levers, it went to ballots with chads. Then to the touch screen machines, which had skeptics questioning their reliability. "They didn't go over well," Locker recalled.

Now, they're back to the paper ballots and scanning machines.

This will be her first election as head inspector. At the Hilmar Grange Hall, she'll oversee voting for all four of the town's precincts.

Voters will decide contests for Turlock Irrigation District and the school board. Locke's usually able to persuade a local lumber yard to put "vote" on its business sign. She expects about a quarter of registered voters to turn out.

Workers begin their day at 6:30 a.m. to make sure the polling place is open. At 7 a.m. the first ballot can be cast. They'll remain open through 8 p.m.

Voters occasionally thank the workers, even bringing in Popsicles during May elections and doughnuts in the morning, Locke said.

She understands some people enjoy the convenience of voting through the mail, but to her it's not the same. "When you walk into the polls, it feels so much more patriotic," she said.

That, and you have Locke's mother ready to hand you the much-prized "I Voted" sticker.

Reporter Scott Jason can be reached at (209) 385-2453 or sjason@mercedsun-star.com.