I had an interesting day yesterday

[lurker17260]

I worked from 7.30am until after 9.30pm as a polling assistant.

I was one of those people who helped you find the right queue, made sure you put your green paper in the green box and white paper in the white box ( which some of you seemed a bit challenging by), listened to you all moaning about the size of the ballot paper while keeping my smile on, marked you off the register and gave you the speal about how to fill in your ballot paper formally, which many of you seemed to ignore (and if you think it was boring listening to it once you should try saying it a couple of thousand times!).

Then after the doors had closed at 6pm I was one of the ones who unfolded, sorted and counted your ballot papers so you could get your results as quickly as possible.

This morning my knees and hips are aching from standing most of the day, I'm dog tired, my shoulders are sore from unfolding and checking those monster senate papers and I have multiple paper cuts all over my fingers.  BUT it was mostly fun and very interesting and I'm pretty sure I'll apply to work again next election  

[*elizabeths-mum*]

I did the same, except that I was the person who had to find your name and assure you it was crossed off so you wouldn't be fined and sympathise when your details hadn't been updated despite countless forms. We finished counting just before 10 which was great after anticipated 11 finish. 🙂

[*elizabeths-mum*]

I liked counting. It was interesting seeing names you didn't expect coming up regularly and of course there are always the comments and artwork ,,,

[lurker17260]

Ah yes, the artwork LOL I really think what this country desperatly needs is to increase funding so some people can go to see Michaelangelo's David and learn what it really looks like LOL
And while they are at it they could learn that rock metal bands dont usually stand for election.

[catsnknots]

I am one of the scrutineers that wants to say thank you... 

Your jobs are so important to the integrity of the system on voting day... 

I hope you put your hands up next time because experience makes the nights go faster......

[*elizabeths-mum*]

What a team we are 😄

I'll keep doing it as long as I can i think despite feeling 100 years old this morning!

[lurker17260]

One of the funniest moments was when my neighbour, who hasn't spoken to us for the last 3 years, came through.  I very formally asked her what her full name and address was   rofl, she was nearly purple with fury

[catsnknots]

hahaha.. I bet that was funny... 

I saw lots of people from my workplace.... they are just about all union members and I had a few come up and have a good laugh with me about wearing the LNP shirt and hat...  going to be funny when I go back to work tomorrow.. 

God help me if the LNP break promises and cut where I work... they will come after me for sure.. 

[*elizabeths-mum*]

Is there an age when you no longer have to vote? I had 76 yo woman ask but didnt have a chance to find out.

A few sad ones too. One woman was quite emotional because her husband has dementia and this would be his last time to vote.

Funnily the older ladies -70+ were the most militant, a couple insisting that they will mark in ink so the government can't rub out he pencil and change their vote.

[lyndal1838]

I do not know that there is a specific age when you do not have to vote but you can apply for an exemption based on age and/or infirmity.

My next door neighbour was losing her sight and got me to apply for her to do postal voting.  As her sight got worse we asked about someone else actually filling in the papers....with her doctors help I was registered to fill in everything on her behalf.  This went on for some years and when she was well in her 90s I received a letter from the AEC to say that due to her age and infirmity she was no longer required to vote.

She was furious and had me ring up to ask if she was being denied her right to vote.  I spoke to a very nice lady who told me that she was not being denied her right to vote, but most people of her age and with poor sight (she was totally blind by this stage) were glad not to have to.

We had a good laugh about it and every election the papers arrived on time.....it was an automatic postal vote with no need for us to apply at every election.