For many who participate in their democratic duties, elections are a one-and-done event. You get to your polling place, cast your vote and then leave. Apart from conducting research for who to vote for and seeing the signs placed along the highway, for many, that is the extent of Election Day.

But for those who become poll workers, it is a marathon of diligence, integrity and protecting of the American way. Without their knowledge  and oversight to guide the average voter to ensure their ballot is cast correctly and counted, surely Election Day would be more than just chaotic – it simply wouldn’t function. 

Every election season in recent memory has been dubbed ‘the most important election of our lifetime.’ That weight is a heavy burden to bear for anyone in the position charged with shepherding the system. 

With that in mind, it sparks a great sense of responsibility for not just the poll workers on site, but for our Board of Election Commissioners and their staff,who are given the task of insuring the integrity and fairness of the election and making sure the elections goes smoothly. 

Thank you to the county’s Board of Elections for the time you have put in leading up to today and continuing throughout the certification of the tallies later this month.

To those going to vote today, don’t forget to thank your local poll worker for all they have done and will continue to do this election season to ensure your voice is heard. They are the people assisting the very act of democracy – a true American model of society.