Election judge question

Posted January 28th, 2008 at 03:15 PM by wayward

This month, I got two letters asking me to serve as an election judge.  However, this would involve a 13-14 hour day and I couldn't leave my puppy alone for that long.  Doggie daycare also wouldn't be an option.  When I called the county clerk's office to ask whether I could bring her with me, I was told no.  So I was unable to serve.  Just out of curiosity, why can't election judges bring well-behaved dogs with them?

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On January 28th, 2008 at 03:33 PM, Run4cvrlib said:

Probably as I understand it you really can't leave and the dog may have to go outside.

On January 28th, 2008 at 03:42 PM, wayward said:

Probably as I understand it you really can't leave and the dog may have to go outside.

Yeah, she'd definitely have to make trips outside.

On January 28th, 2008 at 03:46 PM, Bruce Byrd (not verified) said:

Wayward, I thought you had her up to be Ms. Prussing's new city mgr?  Did that fall thru?

On January 28th, 2008 at 04:27 PM, wayward said:

Wayward, I thought you had her up to be Ms. Prussing's new city mgr?  Did that fall thru?

Sadly, yes, but I think she'd make a better governor than what we currently have.  Hey, if she's a candidate, she'd have the right to observe the election, but she probably could not jump on on voters or try to lick them.

On January 28th, 2008 at 09:16 PM, PropertyRights said:

Ha :-)

On January 28th, 2008 at 09:31 PM, Run4cvrlib said:

Voting would be more fun except for the licking, I don't get the licking thing especially on the face.

On January 28th, 2008 at 11:22 PM, wayward said:

Voting would be more fun except for the licking, I don't get the licking thing especially on the face.

Given a chance, she'd show you.

On January 28th, 2008 at 11:41 PM, Mark Shelden said:

wayward, I'm glad you're dog is well behaved.  but that's not something we care to police.  Also, some people arent' as comfortable around dogs as others.  and it could be a distraction.  wish you could find a sitter,  we really need judges

On January 29th, 2008 at 04:25 PM, JRR said:

As much as I am an animal lover, I would not want a fellow election judge to bring a pet to a polling place where I am working as judge. As Mark Shelden noted, some people are not comfortable around animals, and some people are allergic. Getting people to vote is hard enough that it's probably best not to give people a real or perceived annoyance to keep them away next time.

Also, as Mark notes, a pet would be a distraction – there is plenty going on to which we judges have to pay attention, and animals seem like one more unwelcome attention-stealer. I'm not sure even a well-behaved pet would contribute to there being a professional atmosphere at a polling place.

On January 29th, 2008 at 05:20 PM, Run4cvrlib said:

What kind of animal would make democrats to uncomfortable to vote?  :-)

On January 29th, 2008 at 06:12 PM, wayward said:

As much as I am an animal lover, I would not want a fellow election judge to bring a pet to a polling place where I am working as judge. As Mark Shelden noted, some people are not comfortable around animals, and some people are allergic. Getting people to vote is hard enough that it's probably best not to give people a real or perceived annoyance to keep them away next time.

Also, as Mark notes, a pet would be a distraction – there is plenty going on to which we judges have to pay attention, and animals seem like one more unwelcome attention-stealer. I'm not sure even a well-behaved pet would contribute to there being a professional atmosphere at a polling place.

It'd definitely be easier to serve without her.  But unfortunately, it'd be a very long day and I'd have to arrive before the doggie daycare places opened and stay until after 7 PM.  So I don't think it'll work for me.

On January 29th, 2008 at 06:49 PM, JRR said:

You don't have a civic-minded friend who could help you make arrangements for your dog for Election Day? Perhaps your vet could kennel her for one day.

On January 29th, 2008 at 06:57 PM, wayward said:

You don't have a civic-minded friend who could help you make arrangements for your dog for Election Day? Perhaps your vet could kennel her for one day.

If I didn't have to get there so early (and leave so late), I could probably drop her off at doggie daycare.  I kind of hate to ask a friend or a neighbor to wake up before 6 AM to deal with my dog.  I'm doubting that dropping her off that early and picking her up at 8 PM would work with a vet either.

On January 29th, 2008 at 07:01 PM, JRR said:

Um, why not drop her off Monday afternoon and pick her up Wednesday morning. Or drop her off Monday afternoon and have a friend pick her up before the vet closes on Election Day so she's there to greet you when you get done at the polls.

On January 29th, 2008 at 07:54 PM, Run4cvrlib said:

People understand when it comes to election judges. I think you would be good as a judge as would others who are visiting the site; it also pays to offset doggie boarding costs, or shoes or ice cream.
 

On January 29th, 2008 at 10:05 PM, election judge (not verified) said:

Just out of curiosity, why can't election judges bring well-behaved dogs with them?

The same reason you can't bring your well behaved child to judge. And come on...all parents think their kid (or dog) is well behaved. How do we know your pooch won't attack Republicans on command?

:)

On January 29th, 2008 at 11:30 PM, wayward said:

How do we know your pooch won't attack Republicans on command?

:)

Well, she's only six months old right now and probably won't learn that skill until she does advanced obedience work.

On January 29th, 2008 at 11:40 PM, wayward said:

People understand when it comes to election judges. I think you would be good as a judge as would others who are visiting the site; it also pays to offset doggie boarding costs, or shoes or ice cream

Thanks - it's about the guilt too.  Boarding her overnight wouldn't be impossibly expensive, but she would probably be pretty unhappy.

On January 31st, 2008 at 12:51 AM, JRR said:

wayward, I was at the county clerk's office today and learned that they are short about 100 election judges from the number they need to fully staff all the polling places in the county. I'm sure they'd love you if you could manage to find a place for your dog to spend election day so you could serve at a polling place. Hope this all works out for you.