2005 Election Center Professional Practices
Brian D. Newby, Election Commissioner
Johnson County Election Office
Like almost every other election office in the U.S., for years the Johnson County Election Office has been striving to make our Election Worker Training Program anything but routine, while being meaningful and effective. The hard work and hours of effort put forth in this endeavor came to fruition during the November 2004 Presidential election.
Staff and election workers alike agreed that the multi-faceted training program greatly contributed to the overall success of conducting the election and reporting election night results in record setting time.
Our election worker training program was comprised of the following components:
- Formal Training - mandatory for new and student election workers
- November Mass Training - required for election workers who had worked the August Primary election
- Practice Makes Perfect - available to all election workers
- Supervising Judge Training - mandatory for supervising judges
1. Formal Training
State election law, in accordance with HAVA, requires all election workers to attend mandatory training. We devised a 3-prong approach: a 90 minute classroom-type lecture, a 15 minute skit and 20-30 minutes of hands-on machine training. The idea was to tell them what we wanted them to know; show them what we wanted them to know; and finally, see if they learned what we wanted them to know.2. November Mass Training
The Election Commissioner began by reviewing the Election Worker Manual with the attendees, making special note of the election specific information. A poster board containing sample supplies and election materials and demonstration machines were setup for easy reference. The last few minutes were conducted as a Q & A period.
After a short break, the class watched a skit staged in "The PPP - Perfect Polling Place," a replica polling place set up in our warehouse according to our training standards. Staff members were posted at the various election worker stations. The Commissioner narrated the action as the staff showed the class step-by-step how to process different "voters" passing through. For example, one voter had recently moved; another had a name change; the next was at the wrong polling place, etc.
Finally, the class returned to the classroom where a number of election machines were set up for a hands-on demonstration by the staff. Again, the Commissioner led the group step-by-step through the procedures for opening and closing the machines on Election Day.
Because the majority of our election workers had worked just 90 days earlier for our August Primary election, a review training session was created with just enough "pizzaz" to keep the attendees' attention but still transfer the important election specific information they would need for the upcoming general election.3. Practice Makes Perfect
At a weekly staff meeting, former Election Commissioner Connie Schmidt nonchalantly asked, "Who helped out with their high school musicals or plays?" Those 5 unsuspecting staff members who naively raised their hands found themselves appointed to the "Mass Training" committee. In just 5 days, amidst all the other preparations required for a presidential election, that group had scripted, staged and rehearsed the staff in a full Election Day production. These "Not Quite Ready For Election Players" dramatized the responsibilities of the Supervising Judges from election eve (when they come in to pick up their supplies) to election night. The 2 mass training sessions were conducted on-stage at two area high school sessions. A PowerPoint presentation was projected on a large screen while 2 staff "Vanna Whites" demonstrated each task at machines up on the stage. Her wit and easy rapport, along with the high talent of our resident PowerPoint expert, shined through as this portion of the training covered lessons learned from the August Primary, the election specific information, and the inclusion of certain "choice slides" (see the attached samples) which kept the attendees alert.
Next, the entire staff's dramatic and comedic talents were on full display as they performed their Election Day play, "Election Survivors". Expounding upon the PPP skit, they demonstrated what to do after picking up their supplies the day before, how to set up the polling place at 6 a.m., how to handle various voter scenarios, how to break it down (literally) at 7 p.m. and how to proceed with returning results and supplies to the Election Office. The finale was when the Supervising Judge was back home, feet propped up at the end of a long day, watching the 100% reporting results on the evening news.
Our staff received rave reviews and many heartfelt thanks from the election workers for all our efforts on their behalf. This was a nice morale boost as we headed into the final run up to the election.
Finally, as the attendees exited the auditorium, they could have hands-on time on the election machines or ask questions of the staff posted in the front lobby area.
The week prior to each election, at various sites around the county to make it more convenient, we partnered with area organizations to provide a place for election workers to go and practice again on the election equipment. Although this training was voluntary and without pay, we highly encouraged them to attend as many times as they needed until they were comfortable going into Election Day. Experienced election workers were there to answer questions as the election workers themselves practiced opening and closing down the election machines. Over 700 (or 40%) were helped at 3 locations.4. Supervising Judge Training
The weekend prior to each election, we required all Supervising Judges (who are in charge of each polling place on Election Day) to attend a final training session. The Commissioner covered last minute election specific instructions and emphasized any final points for the election. This was also one more chance for a face-to-face Q & A with the Commissioner.
We all know that after the machines have all been tested, the supplies have all been checked, the ballots have all been proofed and everything goes out the door the day before the election, success is now in the hands of our Election Workers. We require them to perform to the utmost of their abilities and handle any unforeseen situation in accordance with the training we have provided them. Even though we tell them they can call us at any time with any question, if the phone lines are all tied up, they must then rely on their training.
Our successful November election was directly tied to the efforts our workers gave us on Election Day. Additionally, we were able to tap the hidden talents of staff members who thoroughly enjoyed this "labor of love." Also, a number of new full time staff members who had not been here for a Presidential election were better prepared to provide Election Day support by taking such an active role in the preparation and conduct of the election worker training sessions.
It is clear that the benefitting 2004 November Presidential election, even under the heightened state of scrutiny under which we now operate. Every effort expended toward enhancing election worker training is worthwhile. The higher the quality of the training program, the more successful the election will be.
Site last updated: March 29, 2007 4:24 PM
Please send any comments or questions to the developer at election@jocoelection.org or to the Johnson County Election Office 2101 E. Kansas City Road, Olathe, Kansas 66061. Phone: (913) 782-3441. Fax: (913) 791-1753.
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