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In the 1960 John F. Kennedy vs. Richard Nixon presidential election, I volunteered to help count votes, by hand. At age 17 I was too young to vote but I wanted to help any way I could, so I signed up.
A large group of us met in the cafeteria at McKenzie Elementary School where the “adults in the room,” that is the regular poll workers, were in charge. Soon they began bringing in box after box of paper ballots, dumping them out on the long tables.
Each of us counters were handed tally sheets listing the names of the candidates for each office, and lead pencils. No ballpoint pens.
President wasn’t the only race that year of course, there were other names on the ballots, but Kennedy and Nixon were the political stars, the ones whose names stuck in your mind.
The poll worker assigned to our area of the cafeteria gave us a few basic instructions:
- Only count the ballots where EVERY race has a vote marked. Lay aside in a little pile all the others. “We will come around and collect those at intervals,” the nice lady said. And of course they did, every few minutes.
- If a ballot has any stray marks on it, don’t count it. “Lay it aside too, in that same little pile,” she added.
I had no idea if these instructions were the normal, legitimate way to handle paper ballots.
It really didn’t cross my mind that night, that perhaps later on some helpful poll worker “completed” those ballots where votes were absent. Or if those stray marks weren’t just erased, that perhaps certain votes may also have been erased and amended.
I do know from history that John F. Kennedy was elected by a small, small margin — only 0.17 percent.
I have participated in many elections since that day but I’ve never forgotten that one, and the important lesson I learned:
It’s not just who votes, it’s who COUNTS the votes, that matter.
I so agree with your article written. The integrity of an election is just as important, as having an election. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Reblogged this on Esther's Petition and commented:
Some things never change… It’s not who votes, it’s who COUNTS the votes!
I remember going with my grandmother the first time she voted. The poll worker was standing by a test machine and asked her if she needed any help. She said she had never voted and wasn’t sure just how to do it. Well, this is a one-party county, so set that in most races the other party doesn’t run candidates. The worker pointed to the straight-party lever and told her all she had to do was pull that lever and her vote would be cast. Fortunately, I was there and instructed her otherwise, he was not pleased.
This year is the first in county history where the straight-party option is not available, but it really doesn’t matter, it’s still a one-party county. I work the polls now, and it still saddens me to see people so stuck on one party. Last election the one representative retired after over 40 years in office, his son ran in his stead and was elected with little effort. Most people thought they were voting for the father because the last name was the only one that appeared on any election signs.
I wish we could elminate parties all together, I side with Washington that it is the ruin of this country.
I never in my life even thought about what could happen in the counting of the ballots. My kids are right about me I see life through rose-colored glasses. I do the same with people. Sad to realize this. I now know this one of the most important steps in any election.
Thanks, Bette for the post and the information. You, at a very young age, experienced a very historical moment. Just to be working then in that election was in looking back a great memory. Sad to think of what might have happened there and in other places.
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