An election official’s badge is used to identify poll workers to voters. (Provided photo — Diane Chase)

This is the first year I will be a poll worker. My children tell me I shouldn’t leave out words because the election part of the phrase is important. I won’t be dancing around a pole this year, though the image is appealing. Instead, I will work my second day today, Tuesday, as an election poll worker. I have been emailing the Essex County Board of Elections for a few years, but the timing was never right. It turns out this is the year for me to be a part of our electoral process.

Poll workers and watchers/observers have different roles. The first group, poll workers, are hired temporary workers assigned to a polling (voting) location within their county. It isn’t a volunteer position. Paperwork is filled out, and background checks are conducted. There is a mandatory training session ending with a test. The training is informative and manageable. All new poll workers are placed with experienced people at the polling location. Every step has checks and balances, whether it’s setting up the voting equipment, greeting people, checking in voters, or demonstrating voting procedures. There must be representation from both major political parties to proceed. It’s a very organized process.

Poll watchers, sometimes called election observers, have to be appointed by a specific party committee and given a signed certificate. A list of guidelines on the New York state Senate website outlines the regulations and limitations. For example, candidates cannot be election observers of their election.

I was nervous working on my first day of early voting. We rotated jobs throughout the day so we could become familiar with all the various tasks. People were patient. It was exciting to see parents bring their children to demonstrate the importance of voting. There were a few questions I couldn’t answer, but I was able to refer them to my experienced co-workers or directly to the BOE.

I encourage anyone interested in becoming an election poll worker to reach out to their county’s Board of Elections.

Please keep in mind as you go to your specific polling location, the people working are your neighbors, family and friends. Thank you.