I signed up to be an election judge in Illinois for the 2024 general election for two reasons. 1. I wanted to keep busy while waiting for the election results. 2. I wanted to do my part to make sure my community could vote without problems. I kindly greeted all voters, thanked them for voting, and eagerly gave their children Future Voter stickers. Little did I know so many of them would be voting for the felon.
I have mixed feelings about the experience. On one hand, I feel honored to help take part in this important process. While I respect that everyone can vote how they want, I struggle to understand why anyone would vote for that man. Again.
It was a long day. Election judges in Illinois arrive at the polling site at 5 a.m. and don’t leave until an hour or so after the polls close at 7 p.m. We didn’t leave until 8:30 because we struggled with a printer after the polls closed. (This didn’t affect any voting; it just kept us from packing up for a while.)
For the most part, voters were courteous while waiting to vote. Many of them were impatient though, and our polling place didn’t even have long lines for most of the day. Sometimes we’d have about 3 people ahead of them and they’d still act frustrated and indignant.
Some voters were also annoyed about having to go to another polling site. The location where I was stationed had previously been a two-precinct site. Many voters were used to going there to vote but learned that their location had changed. This angered some voters. Note: If this happens to you, know that it’s not the election judges/poll workers’ fault. Just look up your polling location before you leave your house that morning. Better yet: Make a plan to vote, including double-checking where to go, ahead of time.
Another interesting change from previous years as an election judge is that we no longer had to write our names and party on our badges. I assume this is to protect us in such a divided time for our country.
I was hopeful that I would awake to the incredible news of the United States having elected our first female president. Instead, I had to tell my daughters that he won. My 6-year-old asked, “Why would they give him a second chance?” I wish I knew.
Marette Flora is the founder of Floradise blog and personalized gift shop. Marette is a passionate storyteller and creator. She attended the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University and obtained a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication.
She is passionate about creating helpful and meaningful things.