00:00:00
Speaker 1: Talk Station. 747 at 55 KRC, the Talk Station. Hey, did you know that early voting is going on right now? Someone who knows that and is looking for a little assistance, welcome back to the 55 KRC Morning Show. Sherry Poland from the Hamilton County Board of Elections, and let me just sing praises of my experience with the Hamilton County Board of Elections. It is a well-oiled machine, in and out, virtually no time, plenty of room, plenty of parking. The old days are gone, and It's easy to get in and vote. So as I say, go out and vote to my listening audience. Welcome back, Sherry. It's great having you on, and thanks for the great work you're doing at the Hamilton County Board of Elections.
00:00:39
Speaker 2: Good morning. Thank you for having me on, and thank you for that compliment. I'll share it with our hardworking team here.
00:00:45
Speaker 1: Please do. And before we get to your need for poll workers, I noted on the Hamilton County, your site, which is VoteHamiltonCountyOhio.gov. That's where you find the Hamilton County Board of Elections. You had a post for seasonal employment. This is separate from poll worker needs? You need people there at the Board of Elections to work?
00:01:04
Speaker 2: We do hire a number of seasonal employees during election cycles. Fortunately, those positions are full. We do, yeah, those are full. We've just had our last orientation. We do have some positions available to work here election night at the board. It's basically, you know, helping us unload the trucks for those that are, you know, physically capable of doing that, to help us unload the ballot bags, equipment. and then also do some inspections and assist with the vote count. So I know we're going to talk about poll workers in a minute, but we do have openings for opposition, too. So if you're not able to work all day, you could come and help us out election night.
00:01:44
Speaker 1: Fantastic. And in terms of voting, you have a schedule for when people can stop in the Hamilton County Board of Election and cast their vote. Can we just go through that right now? Because I'm on this tear of late to get people to early vote. And it looks like you've had a sizable number of people According to WCPO reporting, the number of at least Democrats that have come in is a 300 percent increase over the last time. So are you seeing a lot of foot traffic? Is it more or are you seeing numbers that you normally experience, Sherry?
00:02:13
Speaker 2: Oh, our early in-person numbers are definitely up. We are, as of close of business yesterday, we've had 14,000 people already vote here. Yeah, the Board of Elections since last Tuesday. So in comparison to the last midterm, at the same point in time, we had just a little over 4,000. So definitely an increase in early in-person voting. I think more and more people are choosing to cast their ballots this way.
00:02:39
Speaker 1: Fair enough. Well, again, why not? You don't know what's going to happen on Election Day. If you really know you want to vote and you're going to wait for Election Day, you don't know what's going to come on Election Day. You know, the world's an imperfect place, Sherry Poland, so why not just get it out of the way? Anyway, between now, it looks like Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., is that weekdays that you're open?
00:03:00
Speaker 2: That's correct. That's this week and next week. And then we start going into some extended hours. So, for example, Saturday, October 24th, we'll be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. And then that final week before Election Day, we open weekdays at 730 a.m. We're open until 7.30 p.m., Monday through Friday, that final week. There's one exception, Tuesday, October 27th. The board actually stays open until 8.30 p.m. because that is also the last day to request your vote-by-mail ballot. So the Secretary of State orders all board speakers to stay open an extra hour for in-person voting and also to receive those vote-by-mail applications. And then, of course, we're open the last weekend before Election Day, Halloween. We will be here Halloween, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. So you can come and vote before you go take the kids trick-or-treating. And then Sunday, November 1st, those are our shortest hours, 1 to 5 p.m., and that is the last day to vote early in person. There is no voting on Monday, November 2nd, the day before Election Day closes. gives us a little time to turn the ship around and focus on Election Day.
00:04:10
Speaker 1: Of course. And Election Day requires poll workers, which is what we're going to pivot to now, because every year, Sherry, you come on every election cycle and make the same request. And I implore my listeners to consider working the polls and also maybe get their young people, seniors that are 17 years old in high school, they can work the polls now, right, Sherry?
00:04:27
Speaker 2: Absolutely. In the state of Ohio, 17-year-olds can work the polls. They're paid the same amount as their adult counterparts, $ 225. So that's a nice little chunk of change for a 17-year-old. Of course, we do not assign them to manager positions, but they do a tremendous job in helping us with some of the more physical aspects of the job, setting up the voting booths, putting the signs outside. And they're so comfortable with today's technology, and they can check in voters on our tablets very quickly. So highly encourage 17-year-olds. And it would look great on a job application or college application.
00:05:07
Speaker 1: That's what I think the real value is there. I mean, they get to learn about their civic responsibility, and they can experience Election Day. But just the idea that they did take that step, it obviously sets them apart from a lot of other young people that clearly they're going to be competing with in higher education spots. All right, so for the rest of the world, Sherry Poland, what is involved? Let's walk through the details of your obligations if you do choose to work the polls.
00:05:30
Speaker 2: Yeah, so it's easy to sign up. You could just simply go on to our website. You mentioned it before, and then click on the poll worker button. You can apply online, or if you prefer, you can give us a call at the Board of Elections, 513-946-8500. We will assign you to a training class, so all poll workers are required to to attend a training course here at the Board of Elections headquarters in Norwood. We offer those training courses weekdays, mornings, afternoons, and evenings. And then we have Saturday morning and afternoon classes. So we have a class that will fit anyone's schedule. Then after they are well-trained, they will go to their assigned polling location on Monday, November 2nd. So in the evening to the day before Election Day, they meet their fellow poll workers, set up the polling place, Then they go back on Election Day. We do require them to be in at 530 in the morning. We know that's very early, but we want to make sure the polls are ready to be open by 630 a.m.
00:06:31
Speaker 1: Well, it's not that early.
00:06:33
Speaker 2: Yeah, definitely not for you.
00:06:37
Speaker 1: Send the guy who gets up at 230 in the morning, right? That's a sleeping in day. 530, come on, you can manage that one day. Yeah, and I'll give my wife serious props because I think she worked at Pulse for about a decade. She's taking a little hiatus now, but she did put in and always enjoyed it. That's the other thing. This isn't like walking into this political minefield. Everybody plays very nicely together, at least if history is any guide. Isn't that right, Sherry? Oh.
00:07:03
Speaker 2: You know, it's still a place where Democrats and Republicans work together for the good of the people. Right. And it's it's not a difficult job. You know, we train you and believe me, we have tremendous amount of support for the poll workers on Election Day. We have troubleshooters that are out in the field ready to help them. We have a staff to help that specifically for poll workers. So it's not a difficult job, but it's such an important job. And you're right, they get along, they work together. We put our politics aside and we just focus on our common mission, and that's to conduct free and fair elections. And poll workers actually bring democracy into their community. So it's a really rewarding experience. As your wife works for more than a decade, which we so appreciate, we find that a lot. 70% of our poll workers return every election cycle. So we have, you know, they come back. I think that if it was, you know, a challenging or unpleasant experience, we wouldn't have so many come back elections at every election.
00:08:00
Speaker 1: Exactly. Sherry Poland, again, thanks to you and everybody with the Hamilton County Board of Elections to get your mail-in ballot. You can do it at the website to sign up for working the polls. You can do it at the website, which is VoteHamiltonCountyOhio.gov. Sherry, best of luck between now and the election day and, of course, on election day. And thanks again for my listening audience for the fine work that you do.
Speaker 1: Talk Station. 747 at 55 KRC, the Talk Station. Hey, did you know that early voting is going on right now? Someone who knows that and is looking for a little assistance, welcome back to the 55 KRC Morning Show. Sherry Poland from the Hamilton County Board of Elections, and let me just sing praises of my experience with the Hamilton County Board of Elections. It is a well-oiled machine, in and out, virtually no time, plenty of room, plenty of parking. The old days are gone, and It's easy to get in and vote. So as I say, go out and vote to my listening audience. Welcome back, Sherry. It's great having you on, and thanks for the great work you're doing at the Hamilton County Board of Elections.
00:00:39
Speaker 2: Good morning. Thank you for having me on, and thank you for that compliment. I'll share it with our hardworking team here.
00:00:45
Speaker 1: Please do. And before we get to your need for poll workers, I noted on the Hamilton County, your site, which is VoteHamiltonCountyOhio.gov. That's where you find the Hamilton County Board of Elections. You had a post for seasonal employment. This is separate from poll worker needs? You need people there at the Board of Elections to work?
00:01:04
Speaker 2: We do hire a number of seasonal employees during election cycles. Fortunately, those positions are full. We do, yeah, those are full. We've just had our last orientation. We do have some positions available to work here election night at the board. It's basically, you know, helping us unload the trucks for those that are, you know, physically capable of doing that, to help us unload the ballot bags, equipment. and then also do some inspections and assist with the vote count. So I know we're going to talk about poll workers in a minute, but we do have openings for opposition, too. So if you're not able to work all day, you could come and help us out election night.
00:01:44
Speaker 1: Fantastic. And in terms of voting, you have a schedule for when people can stop in the Hamilton County Board of Election and cast their vote. Can we just go through that right now? Because I'm on this tear of late to get people to early vote. And it looks like you've had a sizable number of people According to WCPO reporting, the number of at least Democrats that have come in is a 300 percent increase over the last time. So are you seeing a lot of foot traffic? Is it more or are you seeing numbers that you normally experience, Sherry?
00:02:13
Speaker 2: Oh, our early in-person numbers are definitely up. We are, as of close of business yesterday, we've had 14,000 people already vote here. Yeah, the Board of Elections since last Tuesday. So in comparison to the last midterm, at the same point in time, we had just a little over 4,000. So definitely an increase in early in-person voting. I think more and more people are choosing to cast their ballots this way.
00:02:39
Speaker 1: Fair enough. Well, again, why not? You don't know what's going to happen on Election Day. If you really know you want to vote and you're going to wait for Election Day, you don't know what's going to come on Election Day. You know, the world's an imperfect place, Sherry Poland, so why not just get it out of the way? Anyway, between now, it looks like Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., is that weekdays that you're open?
00:03:00
Speaker 2: That's correct. That's this week and next week. And then we start going into some extended hours. So, for example, Saturday, October 24th, we'll be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. And then that final week before Election Day, we open weekdays at 730 a.m. We're open until 7.30 p.m., Monday through Friday, that final week. There's one exception, Tuesday, October 27th. The board actually stays open until 8.30 p.m. because that is also the last day to request your vote-by-mail ballot. So the Secretary of State orders all board speakers to stay open an extra hour for in-person voting and also to receive those vote-by-mail applications. And then, of course, we're open the last weekend before Election Day, Halloween. We will be here Halloween, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. So you can come and vote before you go take the kids trick-or-treating. And then Sunday, November 1st, those are our shortest hours, 1 to 5 p.m., and that is the last day to vote early in person. There is no voting on Monday, November 2nd, the day before Election Day closes. gives us a little time to turn the ship around and focus on Election Day.
00:04:10
Speaker 1: Of course. And Election Day requires poll workers, which is what we're going to pivot to now, because every year, Sherry, you come on every election cycle and make the same request. And I implore my listeners to consider working the polls and also maybe get their young people, seniors that are 17 years old in high school, they can work the polls now, right, Sherry?
00:04:27
Speaker 2: Absolutely. In the state of Ohio, 17-year-olds can work the polls. They're paid the same amount as their adult counterparts, $ 225. So that's a nice little chunk of change for a 17-year-old. Of course, we do not assign them to manager positions, but they do a tremendous job in helping us with some of the more physical aspects of the job, setting up the voting booths, putting the signs outside. And they're so comfortable with today's technology, and they can check in voters on our tablets very quickly. So highly encourage 17-year-olds. And it would look great on a job application or college application.
00:05:07
Speaker 1: That's what I think the real value is there. I mean, they get to learn about their civic responsibility, and they can experience Election Day. But just the idea that they did take that step, it obviously sets them apart from a lot of other young people that clearly they're going to be competing with in higher education spots. All right, so for the rest of the world, Sherry Poland, what is involved? Let's walk through the details of your obligations if you do choose to work the polls.
00:05:30
Speaker 2: Yeah, so it's easy to sign up. You could just simply go on to our website. You mentioned it before, and then click on the poll worker button. You can apply online, or if you prefer, you can give us a call at the Board of Elections, 513-946-8500. We will assign you to a training class, so all poll workers are required to to attend a training course here at the Board of Elections headquarters in Norwood. We offer those training courses weekdays, mornings, afternoons, and evenings. And then we have Saturday morning and afternoon classes. So we have a class that will fit anyone's schedule. Then after they are well-trained, they will go to their assigned polling location on Monday, November 2nd. So in the evening to the day before Election Day, they meet their fellow poll workers, set up the polling place, Then they go back on Election Day. We do require them to be in at 530 in the morning. We know that's very early, but we want to make sure the polls are ready to be open by 630 a.m.
00:06:31
Speaker 1: Well, it's not that early.
00:06:33
Speaker 2: Yeah, definitely not for you.
00:06:37
Speaker 1: Send the guy who gets up at 230 in the morning, right? That's a sleeping in day. 530, come on, you can manage that one day. Yeah, and I'll give my wife serious props because I think she worked at Pulse for about a decade. She's taking a little hiatus now, but she did put in and always enjoyed it. That's the other thing. This isn't like walking into this political minefield. Everybody plays very nicely together, at least if history is any guide. Isn't that right, Sherry? Oh.
00:07:03
Speaker 2: You know, it's still a place where Democrats and Republicans work together for the good of the people. Right. And it's it's not a difficult job. You know, we train you and believe me, we have tremendous amount of support for the poll workers on Election Day. We have troubleshooters that are out in the field ready to help them. We have a staff to help that specifically for poll workers. So it's not a difficult job, but it's such an important job. And you're right, they get along, they work together. We put our politics aside and we just focus on our common mission, and that's to conduct free and fair elections. And poll workers actually bring democracy into their community. So it's a really rewarding experience. As your wife works for more than a decade, which we so appreciate, we find that a lot. 70% of our poll workers return every election cycle. So we have, you know, they come back. I think that if it was, you know, a challenging or unpleasant experience, we wouldn't have so many come back elections at every election.
00:08:00
Speaker 1: Exactly. Sherry Poland, again, thanks to you and everybody with the Hamilton County Board of Elections to get your mail-in ballot. You can do it at the website to sign up for working the polls. You can do it at the website, which is VoteHamiltonCountyOhio.gov. Sherry, best of luck between now and the election day and, of course, on election day. And thanks again for my listening audience for the fine work that you do.
