What can we do for our country

Four weeks ago, I texted my lawyer to let him know I couldn’t make an appointment scheduled for November 5th because I would be working all day on the ballot. His answer surprised me: “Thank you for working at the polls and fulfilling your civic duty.”

In a society where the refrain “Thank you for your service” is routinely heard whenever military personnel pass by, we fail to recognize that civilians can and should do other forms of service to their country besides wearing a uniform. Some of us may have done or know someone who has done jury duty. We vote, though not overwhelmingly. American citizens have always been called upon to perform these duties, but few do. In his book “The Dying Citizen,” renowned historian Victor Davis Hansen asks us to consider what it means to be a citizen—as he explains, there is too much emphasis on rights but too little attention on responsibilities. We long to be free—as Lady Liberty declares on her tablet—but few of us long to assume the responsibilities and fulfill the civic duties required of a free people.

This year, I have decided that I will not have the right to complain about the integrity of elections or the state of government if I do not respond to the call to participate in the electoral process. I wanted to see for myself how it worked; I wanted to do more than vote.

Strict requirements include training. In a one-day session, the survey workers properly practiced setting up/dismantling the booths. No one discussed political views – we focused on supporting each other to do our jobs well. As an Army National Guard veteran, I still remember the day I was sworn in and the pride I felt. At the end of the poll worker training, I recited an oath again to “uphold and defend the constitution… (and) do my due diligence,” the words seared into my mind and heart.

We verified IDs, triple-checked voter details, and received signature confirmation from voters as well as poll workers. Two election workers were required to sign the assignments.

Were there people who tried to vote “illegally”? Probable. All I can say for sure is that I have turned away a few people with incorrect ID (out of state or wrong county). Many people waited until the day or just a few days before they registered, causing delays in processing them to register to vote. Lesson: If you want your vote to count, don’t delay registration. We noticed that certain demographics pre-registered well in advance. Following the trial, they showed only one form of identification: their driver’s licenses.

My colleagues were exemplary patriots — acting professionally, maintaining a neutral but helpful disposition toward everyone (despite the fact that we can see the affiliation on the record check). In fact, several voters had no affiliation. One surprising thing was that several voters, adamant that they no longer belonged to the party listed on their file, asked if they could change their affiliation. Note that voters are not limited to choosing candidates of their party affiliation in national elections.

At the end of a 16-hour day, I was exhausted but proud to have participated in the civic life of our republic. Civic duty can engender confidence in the integrity of democratic processes. More importantly, it makes us responsible citizens worthy of the rights we so vociferously claim as we live up to the immortal words of President John F. Kennedy: “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do you for yourself country.”