Meet the People Who Make Voting Easy

Behind every election day is a dedicated team working behind the scenes.

Kara Dilkie, Deputy Clerk and official election processor for Grant County, spent the day supervising and jumping in wherever she was needed.

“If they holler, I go, I run,” Dilkie said. She emphasizes that voting gives citizens a direct voice in what happens in their county, community, and state. “Most people say, ‘Oh, there's nothing going on that I should be involved in,’ but it's very important that they get out and voice their opinion and vote for those that they feel they want to help run their counties, their schools, and commissioner.”

Dilkie also noted a trend in participation, pointing out that younger demographics turn out less frequently. “Generally, seniors are the ones that keep us running.”

The day's numbers shift. “Right now, we're sitting around 300 people who voted, and we had, I want to say, about 275, 280 in early voting the last two weeks, which ended yesterday,” Dilkie shared. But she hopes to get six or seven hundred by the end of the day.

When voters arrive, they check in at registration tables. Those requesting paper ballots are directed accordingly, while anyone encountering issues on the books is guided to the provisional table.

Julie Meier manages the frontline check-in process. “When someone comes in, we take their ID, it has to be a government-issued ID, and we scan it,” Meier explained. “It pulls up their name, so they don't have to repeat their name and address to us.”

When asked what she would say to encourage participation, Meier asserted: “It's the most important thing you can do. It's a very important duty to help make those choices.”

Once voters receive their ticket, Rex Coleman helps them get started and guides them to the tabulator. One of the workers playfully pointed out his name as Rex, like “Tyrannosaurus Rex.”

Managing a polling station on election day takes a coordinated effort. Next time you vote, show your appreciation, fulfill your civic duty, and know there are always people and resources available to help guide you if needed.