Democracy Matters

 Democracy Matters

A virtual snapshot from behind the scenes at the election polls on City Meeting Day in Montpelier last year (2023)

(Selfie: Former Justice of the Peace, Morgan W. Brown, after arriving early in the morning at City Hall on City Meeting Day, 2023)

As a newly elected Justice of the Peace (JP; since resigned, in September 2023) as well as a (now former) member of the local Board of Civil Authority (BCA), having officially taken office along with other new and incumbent JP's on February 1st (2023), I had an opportunity to volunteer as a poll worker for several hours during the City Meeting held in Montpelier last year (Tuesday, March 7, 2023). 

Although I have previously intended to do so from time to time in years past, this was my very first time volunteering at the polls as a poll worker. 

While my father had brought me to the polls as a youth whenever he voted; and, later on, having voted myself when I first became of age to participate (in 1976, first in the Presidential primary and afterwards in the general election held that year, while a student attending a small bible college in an Eastern rural region of Pennsylvania at the time) and continuing to vote as an Independent (read: nonpartisan) voter ever since then; it was indeed a rather satisfying pleasure, doing one's heart and soul good, to see all the many ever fluid pieces of democracy in action and what it takes to make it work behind the scenes in this particular fashion, as a poll worker, today. It did not disappoint. Not one bit.

(Photo: City Clerk John Odum and former JP Morgan W. Brown pose for a selfie at City Hall early Tuesday morning)

Had arrived at City Hall in the early morning prior to the polls opening and was warmly greeted by City Clerk John Odum.

Other poll workers arrived shortly thereafter. Those who were not JP's were sworn in and all the poll workers were provided basic instruction as well as initial training as needed (something that continued throughout the day to those volunteer poll workers arriving later on).

At 7:00 AM sharp, voters started to arrive and the voting process quickly sprang into action.

Things had been relatively slow during the initial one and a half hours or so, but picked up a bit after that and grew somewhat steady. 

My first of two scheduled shifts ended, a half hour late, taking a break in order to shop, eat, rest as well as check on and visit briefly with my cat.

After returning to City Hall just before noon for my second scheduled shift, as often happens around that time of day on election day, it began to get fairly busy and, with the usual ebbs and flows here and there, remained somewhat steady, getting really busy about two and a half hours later or so. Had stayed for a bit after the time my afternoon shift was supposed to end in order to continue to help out, until – upon request – I was relieved by another new poll worker.

During each of these poll worker transitions, those replacements were trained by the previous poll workers as and when needed, especially when the person was, like I had been, not an experienced poll worker. 

The fact as well as point is, however, without those who put themselves forward, whether it be new candidates for political office (either as a candidate on the ballot or as a write-in candidate), recently elected or incumbent office holders, professional election officials and staff members, volunteer poll workers as well as voters exercising their franchise by voting, and also news reporters as well as bloggers and photographers accurately reporting on the election and voting process; democracy at the local, state and federal level(s) would not work. 

It goes without saying that participation is most essential in such an endeavor. The more that others participate in a meaningful and thoughtful manner at various levels and in a variety of different ways, the better our otherwise, sometimes, fragile democracy works. 

Those many selfless and tireless public servants as well as ordinary citizens who help make our democracy continue to function and work have my deep appreciation as well as heartfelt gratitude. These guardians as well as stewards of democracy are the hope and promise of both today and also a far better tomorrow. Thank you for holding fast, particularly during tumultuous times.

It is my pleasure as well as privilege to help serve the community as well as our democracy in this manner. It truly means much more to me than some might possibly imagine or think. [...]

[...]

By the way, my 2022 general election Justice of the Peace write-in campaign motto was – and, while serving as a JP, shall continue to remain – as follows:

Because public service on behalf of our community and our democracy matters.

Instagram: @DemocracyMatters.VT.JP

Note: The above post was drawn and excerpted from my report about last year's Montpelier City Meeting election (since edited as well as updated for the purposes of this blog post), here (via Google Drive); which I am posting in advance of this year's City Meeting given that, although I am no longer a JP, I have once again signed up to volunteer as a poll worker for two slots, the early morning one and the late afternoon one. Am really looking forward to serving the community in this capacity yet again.