March 2024: Thanks to election workers

 As many of you know, the Republican and Democrat presidential primaries were held on Feb. 27. I’d like to thank St. Louis election workers Don Burch, Robin Hart, Tina Redes, Terry Root, Sue Whitford, Juanita “Janie” Hunt and city employees Peyton Kuhn, Ashley Bullard and Jamie Long for processing voters on election day.

Burch has served the longest, getting his start at least 18 years ago. He works the last station before the tabulator, giving final instructions and keeping track of the totals. If the machine jams or shows an error message, he fixes it. “He is a wealth of knowledge to me,” said Clerk Jamie Long.

Whitford got her start as an election worker circa 2007. She typically works giving ballot marking instructions but fills in on other stations, too. “She is great at keeping things in order and moving smoothly,” Long said.

Redes started in 2018 and works the poll book and helps with verifying and running absentee ballots when she’s not filling in for others on lunch/dinner breaks. 

Hunt, Hart and Root got their start in the presidential election of 2020. Hunt gives ballot marking instructions and “does an amazing job because she is very patient, takes her time and gives clear instructions,” Long said.

Hart works at the check-in table and compares your i.d. to the list of registered voters. “She is always very helpful and friendly when our voters walk in the door,” Long said. 

Root works at the check-in table and helps process absentee ballots. “She has been a part of this community for many years and knows many of our voters on a first name basis,” Long said.

 

Kuhn is the newest election worker. In fact, this primary was her first election. “She was a co-op student last year and has been able to stay on working for the city through college,” Long said.

Deputy Clerk Bullard worked her second election in February. She handles the poll book on election day in addition to many pre-election tasks. “I really couldn’t do all of this without her help!” Long said.

These people perform a near thankless, but essential, job and deserve a shout-out for their efforts.

If you’re interested in becoming an election worker, contact Long by calling 989-261-1435. Election workers get $19/hour and work 14-15 hours on election days. The next time they will be needed is for the Aug. 6 state primary election.