Domingo Reyes, who grew to become a U.S. citizen on July 4, 2023, might be a first-time ballot employee in Lowell. Reyes, who has helped arrange and take down polling locations prior to now, mentioned he’s proud to serve his nation as an election employee.
As a current American citizen, Reyes mentioned he’s excited to vote in his first presidential election.
“We really feel good, so we will make the suitable choice,” Reyes mentioned.
In an environment full of pleasure and nervousness, Reyes and his spouse, Susan Gonzalez, had been only a few of dozens of election staff who picked up polling website supplies and completed coaching on the Lake County Government Center on Saturday.
Gonzalez might be an inspector on the identical Lowell polling place. As a ballot employee, Reyes will assist voters function voting machines and reply their questions, Gonzalez mentioned. As inspector, Gonzalez mentioned he makes certain every part goes easily, completes paperwork and reminds voters in line to have their driver’s license able to preserve the registration course of shifting.
Gonzalez mentioned she has labored as a pollster for about eight years, however this election has left her extra nervous given the environment round Democratic vp and presidential candidate Kamala Harris and former Republican President Donald Trump.
Gonzalez mentioned working as a Mexican-American in a majority-Republican district has been nerve-wracking this election cycle. But having Reyes there together with her offers her consolation, she mentioned.
“I’m nervous, however he’ll be there with me,” Reyes mentioned.
Jim Swain, a mechanic, was coaching ballot staff Saturday on the right way to use the voting machines. On Election Day, Swain mentioned he and different mechanics, 34 in complete, are unfold throughout the county prepared to answer calls with potential issues with the voting machines, of which there are about 1,100.
The most typical calls, Swain mentioned, are aimed toward ensuring the survey machine is attached correctly or that the inspector is popping the machine on accurately. If a machine shows a “deadly error” message, that means the machine has shut down because of an issue, Swain mentioned two mechanics, one Democrat and one Republican, take the machine and herald a brand new one to switch it.
The two mechanics then take the “deadly error” machine again to the Lake County Government Center to be locked up and its votes taken from the onerous drive, Swain mentioned.
Each voting machine has two onerous drives and a paper printout, so even when a machine breaks on Election Day, the votes tabulated as much as that time might be recorded, Swain mentioned.
“We cannot get into the machine, so if it is a deadly error we substitute the machine,” Swain mentioned.
Robert Guevarra, an East Chicago inspector, mentioned he has labored in elections for about 20 years. As an inspector, Guevarra mentioned it is necessary to maintain the road shifting as easily as attainable, as a result of any “hiccups” within the course of normally result in frustration down the road.
For probably the most half every part goes easily,” Guevarra mentioned. “As lengthy as you have got a relaxed demeanor, they may take it in stride.”
Guevarra mentioned Harris was a lift for the Democratic Party. But Guevarra mentioned Trump nonetheless has many supporters, which seemingly stems from the truth that they do not need to vote for a girl.
“It’s that machismo,” Guevarra mentioned. “I’m not taking a look at intercourse however their opinions.”
Teresa Spann, a Gary inspector, mentioned she has labored in polls for about 15 years. Spann mentioned she loved being a part of the election course of and figuring out what the district outcomes might be on election evening.
Spann mentioned he’s excited for Election Day and that this presidential election “is massive.” Spann mentioned she’s additionally curious to see how many individuals will vote on Election Day as a result of early in-person voting has been excessive this election cycle.
“Presidential elections are all the time necessary. But this can be completely different as a result of early voting numbers are excessive,” Spann mentioned.
akukulka@chicagotribune.com
