To my fellow Canadians....I'm a Poll Clerk! :-)

I'll be in a (hopefully) comfy chair for about 14 hours on Election Day, helping people cast their votes.

Your vote DOES count - if it didn't, there would be no such thing as a recount! And there are plenty. All it takes is you to make a difference.

HERE ARE TWO LINKS TO HELP:

Strategic Voting http://www.voteforenvironment.ca/
Comparative List of Three Polls http://www.nodice.ca/elections/canada/polls.php


VOTE SMART. VOTE FOR TOMORROW. And please go brighten up the day of your local poll clerk on the 14 hr day...it's lonely at the top! :-)

Thank you, Canadian friends.

Candace

I already voted the day before I left to return to China.... the people were friendly and helpful and I felt good about being able to do it advance. Thanks, Elections Canada! Have a good day, Catty!

Good on you, Candace! Will you be working there for the entire 14 hours? I trust you get the occasional bathroom break and the opportunity to eat something at some point?

Yes, Pat - we bring all our own food and drink (though family/friend is allowed in to bring us a dinner like pizza or something). Both the Deputy Returning Officer and the Poll Clerk have to be at the table for an elector to vote.

So - when it's slow, run to the loo, eat something, etc! And also bring a book.

Kind of like a long day in retail - rushes and slow times. But at least we get to sit down! And count ballots! Exciting!

I was thinking of sitting poll in my county, but a 16 hour day is just too much. I don't know why they can't get enough volunteers to do shifts. Maybe if they had shifts, they'd get more volunteers! I would do it if it were a normal shift.

Poll Clerks and other staff here get paid - I think I am getting about $162 for the day or something.

That helps get a few people out. There's always a scramble to fill all the positions, but they do get filled.

Did that for 9 yrs in a row...no energy to try that again. We can do our voting online this year which will be fabulous for me and others also I'm sure.

Voted early today instead of waiting for next week. I made sure to smile at our poll clerk for all the hard work! Good for you Candace. :)