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This is another installment of a new series on how to navigate life in New Bedford. Ask us your questions here and our reporters will look into it for you.
The Whaling City is gearing up to participate in the 60th U.S. presidential election to come to this nation and city. The rite of democracy is often remembered by the names at the top of the ballot, but every single contest depends on the unsung, sometimes overlooked person who hands you the ballot.
Poll workers in New Bedford will help the November election run smoothly in all 41 of its precincts throughout all six wards, just as they do for every federal, state, and municipal contest. Manuel DeBrito, chair of New Bedford’s election commission, said that the nearly 200 people who staff the schools, community centers and other buildings that serve as public polling places help build trust within the community.
At a moment of historic levels of distrust, you can add yourself to the roll of New Bedford’s poll workers who protect transparency, fairness, and smooth operations in elections. The job can involve long days and voters who are “more aggressive than in the past,” DeBrito said, but there are benefits beyond the pay — which is about $15 per hour.
“It dispels falsehoods when you get to see the process,” DeBrito said. Becoming a poll worker, he added, “is about giving back to the community, being a part of the process, and it’s a social thing, too.”
Here’s how to become a poll worker.
Step 1: Apply to become a poll worker
If you’re interested in working the polls, reach out to your local elections office. In New Bedford, you can visit DeBrito’s office in City Hall in Room 114 — it’s on the first floor in the northeast corner of the building (turn right when you walk in).
“Yeah, come into the office,” DeBrito said. “I have no problem answering questions.” DeBrito said people need to have an open mind about learning how the process actually works, not only believing information or rumors they’ve seen circulated on social media.
You can also reach the office at elections@newbedford-ma.gov or 508-979-1420. You’ll fill out an application that includes your name, address, party enrollment, availability of work, and desired polling location.
DeBrito said that selections are made mostly based on the city’s needs. He likes to have a surplus of available poll workers enrolled so there’s never a shortage.
It’s unlikely that someone who applies now will work the polls this November. Every worker undergoes training, and there are no more general training sessions scheduled between now and November. Instead, signing up now will get you involved in time for next year’s municipal elections.
Step 2: What it means to be a poll worker
On the application form, or when you visit the polls to vote, you might notice different categories of workers who fulfill different roles. Each precinct will have about four to six poll workers on staff. Police officers help with security and deliver the voting machines and ballots.
Each precinct has a warden. This is the poll worker in charge of each voting location. The warden is expected to show up at 6 a.m. on Election Day to assist in setting up the precinct, oversee the other poll workers, and communicate effectively with voters.
All precincts also have a clerk. This person is responsible for overseeing the paperwork, including the tabulation of write-in ballots, which are hand-counted when polls close for inclusion in the unofficial results. All paperwork done in the precincts is ultimately reviewed and certified by the elections commission.
General poll workers are known as inspectors. This role usually involves checking-in voters at the entrance to the voting location. And inspectors, like all poll workers, typically work late into the night on Election Day to tabulate the unofficial results.
Lastly, each polling place may have translators on staff, too. The number of translators can vary depending on the location.
Step 3: Your day at the polls
After you’ve applied to become a poll worker, are accepted, and complete your one full day of training, you can be called to work in different stages of the democratic process, including primary elections, general elections, or early voting.
In a typical general election, wardens and clerks will show up to their polling place at 6 a.m. to receive the delivery of voting machines and other equipment from police, who usually oversee these deliveries. Inspectors will show up at around 6:30 a.m., at which time observers are also allowed entrance to confirm that voting machines start at zero votes.
The voting public can cast their ballots starting at 7 a.m.
In general elections, it will likely be a busy day, with peaks in traffic that roughly correspond to the breaks in people’s working schedule. DeBrito said poll workers are engaged all day, which means not sitting distracted on their phones. “People look forward to the action,” he said.
Famously, the day is long: about 14 to 18 hours. Poll workers usually pack a lunch and plenty of snacks. Most will be expected to work long past when the polls close at 8 p.m.
During the day, they mostly engage with voters, including enforcing the “150-foot rule,” the state law that prohibits political speech or campaigning within 150 feet of the polling location. In practice, this usually means asking voters to remove buttons or hats with political messages while they vote or asking those holding signs to stand in a certain location.
DeBrito said helping people to remain calm and understand the state law about political speech are crucial aspects of the job. Often, enforcing this rule also helps with public safety and traffic flow.
Poll workers will work into the evening to tabulate the votes, and this can stretch to midnight or sometimes later. New technology helps this process to move faster, and all work is reviewed and certified by the elections commission.
Finding community through civic engagement
DeBrito said he’s thankful to the community members who give their time to work the polls. He also said that it’s become a community unto itself.
“They’re great people,” DeBrito said. “I look forward to seeing these folks around, even outside of election season … We’re fortunate to have poll workers that really care about the city.”
Some poll workers have been doing this for 20, even 40 years, DeBrito said. For them, it’s a social engagement as well as civic responsibility. Many invite their friends or family members to get involved, too.
He said he’s excited about efforts to expand the ranks of poll workers, especially with young people. “We need them to come back to the city and give back. Not just as poll workers, but running for office, too.”
Email Colin Hogan at chogan@newbedfordlight.org
