Police appointments - Canton Public Library

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Some 15 hours later, Ms. Golec is still busy tallying votes.
Jane Shepard stamps a ballot application early in the day.
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Irene Golec, precinct chairman, opens up shop at 6:35 a.m.
Election day means
hard work at precincts
Running for office may take its toll on
active candidates, but there's another
group of people for whom elections mean
work—and plenty of it.
They are the precinct workers and on
election days, like Aug 3. they put in long
hours at the polls.
Election day starts early, at 6:30 a.m..
and if everything goes smoothly, some 15
hours later around 10 p.m. after tabulating
the vote, they can expect to go home
During those 15 hours, pollworkers are
instructed not to leave the polling place—
and that means either a brown-bagged
lunch, or a sprint by family members to
the local burger palace for a cheese burger
minus mayo.
The job is not entirely charity—workers
received $40 for their services and the satisfaction
they helped implement one of the
privileges, although not exercised by all
citizens, of our democratic system
WOMEN WHO staffed the polls at Canton's
Precinct No. 3 said their main task
was to alleviate some of the uncertainty
voters face once they pull the curtains
shut
"The most common problem was that a
lot of voters didn't realize they couldn't
split the ticket in the primary election."
Kathleen Byrd explained
"When they found out they couldn't
cross party lines, some people became
Staff photos
by Gary Caskey
Poll worker Marie Fefetaki (left) siQns in first voter of the day Ed Vandervennet as Janet L.
McMurray and challenger Gary G. Kelley look on.
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Workers (from Madrtyn Plon«kl, Marto Fafeltkl and Jane Shapard total the end-of-the-day
results.
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very disturbed. They wanted to know why
and Who made up that rule 9 ' We politely
explained that those where the rules concerning
primary electiore>. You get your
chance to split your ticket in November "
Another common problem was the fact
that many people in Canton vote in one
place for school elections and another in
township elections. That caused confusion
and resentment from many voters, according
to poll workers. The staff at the nine
precincts were equipped with a map which
outlined precinct boundaries.
"But I think some people who went to
the wrong place got disgusted or didn't
have time and just went home." Mrs
Byrd said.
The workers at Precinct 3 said courtesy
was their main concern.
"IF SOMEONE has a problem, it's important
not to treat them like they're some
kind pf jerk for asking a question.'' said
Mrs Jean Sheppard
"For many of the people, this was the
first time they'd voted in Canton Township
and the first time they'd used that type of
voting machine. I remember how scared I
was the first time I voted. So we've done
our job if we can put them at ease "
While many of the poll workers have
strong personal views about the candidates
and issues. Mrs. Byrd says the polling
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Thurad«y, Augut 12, 1976 OBSERVER & ECCENTRIC (C)3A
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place is no place to express them—regardless
of good intentions.
"When we are in that polling area we
are not to express an opinion, even among
ourselves, regarding politics." Mrs Byrd
said.
"The same thing applies to school elections
1 remember one year I was working
at the polls and the precinct chairman said
to the poll workers that everyone should
be voting in fSvor of the millage.
"I was so angry that she expressed her
opinion in a polling area." Mrs. Byrd said.
ONE OF THE reasons the poll workers
signed up for election work is that they believe
voting is important.
"1 talked to some people and asked
them if they voted and they said they
never found time for it." explained Mrs
Byrd. "Then, when someone gets in office
who they don't like, who's to blame 7 '
Mrs. Sheppard said there is no better example
of the fact that each person's vote
is important than the June 14 defeat of the
school millage by one vote.
Aside from civic responsibility. Mrs
Sheppard admitted that 'the extra money
comes in handy."
"The pay I received from working at the
polls last Tuesday paid for the food for a
family get-together for my daughter's
birthday." she said, laughing
-Li
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Madelyn Plonski hangs a
sample ballot before the polls
open.
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29111 TELEGRAPH AT 12 MILE
EL 6-2222 • 442-5688