Now I know

I always want to know what the actual process of election is. Yes, I vote many times before but how do the system works? How do they count it, how to take steps to avoid and prevent cheatting. Finally, I got my chance. I volunteer to be a poll worker on the last super-Tuesday ( 2/5/2008 ). Boy, did I learned !
It started at 6.00 am on 2/5/2008. Actually for me it started much earlier than that. First, I could not sleep all night, because of excitement or drank too much tea the night befor . Bt 5.30 am I already finished my shower and had my breakfast. At 5.45 am I asked my wife to drive me to the poll place. The rice-bag that I have to bring to the place is too heavy , even with a wheel to
pull it still heavy. I arrived at the poll place right at 6.00 am, one poll worker is already there. We bagan to prepare for the big event. I phone the election center to report that I have one worker did not show up, actually he told me the night before that he is not coming . The center told me that they already send a replacement worker for me . About 15 minutes later the new worker arrived, not one but two ! I do not need two workers ! There is no job for the extra worker ! so the extra one was sent back. They assigned her to other place.
We were lucky that we have two student workers that has worked as a poll worker before and familiar with the set up. The poll started right on time at 7.00 am. the first voter came right on time at 7.oo am too. The first vote went smoothly and getting better as time go by .
Once you get familiar with the procedure it is not that diificult at all. We worked in a garage, no heat, and SF weather that day was so cold ( in the 40s ) lucky I wore thick cloth. We each has about two hours lunch break. Times go by fast when you are busy. The busiest time is between 7.00am to 10.00 am and 5.00pm to 8.00pm , the time that people going and coming back from work. Our polling place has 1,000 registered voter. That day we have about 350 voters showed up, that keep us from boring. We worked 15 hours continously !.
The most satisfied for me is that we have quite a few people say thanks to us for doing this. I got pay about $160 too !
One thing that bugged me a little is the " FED " . I do not not know what her job description really is. She suppose to come check to make sure thing went smoothly and give help and advice when needed or just rush in to look for some mistakes ( no matter how small and unimportant it is ) and demeaning tbe worker and rush out . This is a worker that we sure can do withiout .
After finishing dinner I went to sleep right away , hasn't been this tire for quite a while. I slept 8 ours straight !