Amye Blum, photo by Robin L Frankel

Amye Blum, 59, is a poll worker in Midwood.

“I went into the library, [where there was] a table set up, I filled out an application and waited for them to call me,” said Blum, about how she got started.

People can also find the application online at the Board of Elections website.  The registration deadline is September and the only requirement is citizenship

Blum’s been working the polls for the past few years, never at the same site.  She doesn’t have to re-apply each year but she does have to take a four-hour class each year before she starts.

She works the same poll location that she’s registered to vote at, so she’s able to vote when there’s a lull.  However, it’s a long day.

“They call me a week before Election Day to tell me where I’ll be working.  I get to the poll at 5AM, help set up the polls, help voters, and I stay until 9:30PM.  There are five tables, about 100 people at each table [throughout the day] and about 1500 people total vote.  The voters are mostly women, both Democrats and Republicans,” said Blum.

Sometimes it gets boring.  The busiest hours are 5:30PM-7PM.  She has to sit there the whole day.  There are the same people working the polls every year.  There are 15 workers including a supervisor but she is unsure how supervisors get their status.

Sometimes there are minor arguments if a voter has trouble finding where they’re registered.  However, there’s usually nothing more than mild disagreements.

It pays well.

“I get paid $200 for the day.  I receive the money about a month after I work.  They take taxes out so I have to file at the end of the year.  It’s an okay experience.  I meet new people but I don’t exactly enjoy it,” said Blum.