Steve and I have long been involved in our community. Whether that is volunteering on non-profit boards, coaching hockey, or sitting on finance councils of our churches or schools. Most recently, we are serving as elected Ward 4 Moderator and Clerk in Manchester.

Together we run the election in our city Ward. Before the election day comes, we spend time recruiting volunteers, attending training sessions, and arranging the poll set up. During the 2020 pandemic, we spent much time with the Secretary of State in online meetings with other election officials throughout the state to educate ourselves on the unique challenges that we were about to encounter.

On election day, We start at 4:45 AM at City Hall. The voting goes from 6 AM til 7 PM. When it is all over, we count the ballots and report back with sealed boxes of counted ballots to City Hall. Some elections we may not finish til the early hours of the next morning.

These past 2 years have been particularly challenging. We were involved with the Trump/Biden Presidential election in 2020, the primary that came before that, plus our municipal election. And most of that during a global pandemic.

We have really come to appreciate the quality staff at the city clerk’s office. They work with volunteers through out the city. Without their professionalism and dedication, these elections would be much less efficient. They really make it easy for us to step in for our 2 elections a year and be successful.

Steve and I are motivated to do this to help our city and to participate in the election process. I encourage everyone to volunteer at their local polling location. All of the folks you see working on election day are neighbors just like you. They are giving up their day to help keep the election process smooth and fair (note: poll workers do get paid a stipend in some cases).

Elections are November 2nd in Manchester. Be sure to get out to vote and thank your poll workers!