Marquette Township resident, Matt Riipi, left, fills out his application to vote in the 2016 election before getting his ballot at the Marquette Township Hall. Today’s election will be markedly different from past Election Days for poll workers and voters amid the COVID-19 pandemic, as many people have submitted absentee ballots ahead of the election. One poll worker told the Journal she expects COVID-19 and the related precautions will make working the polls today quite different from previous years. (Journal file photo)

MARQUETTE — Some say election workers could be considered the unsung heroes of our political system.

Statewide, more than 30,000 poll workers are expected to show up today, meticulously matching signatures, checking ID’s, and handing out ballots to voters.

Due to this, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer proclaimed Monday as Election Hero Day in Michigan to honor poll workers across the state.

“The day is dedicated to the hardworking dedicated election administrators and poll workers who ensure that every Michigan voter can cast their vote with confidence in this year’s election as we continue to fight the COVID-19 pandemic,” a news release from Whitmer’s office states.

So what motivates a person to be a poll worker?

Virginia Olson has worked elections in Michigamme Township — which has a population of 240, according to the U.S. Census Bureau — for over a decade.

She enjoys working at the polls, in part, because it gives her the opportunity to serve, and be a part of her community.

“I like the detail work, I like numbers. And I guess I just really like being around people, and it’s a chance to say hi to people you might not see all the time,” Olson said. “(It’s also) just the camaraderie of being around my friends.”

Olson said COVID-19 may make the experience different this year.

“I know this is an iffy chancy time getting together, but we have all been pretty homebound. We have our masks. We will be wiping everything down. Someone will be designated to do that. Pens and tables will all be wiped after each use.”

Ultimately, Olson said working at an election is a civic duty.

“Elections are important,” Olson said. “I think everyone should have the chance to sit at an election.”

Mary Beals has also worked many elections over the years in Marquette Township, which is a much larger community than Michigamme, with a population nearing 4,000, according to U.S. Census data.

“I just feel it’s one way to give back to our community, especially our local township,” Beals said. “And it’s just very interesting, the more you are involved in it, the more you learn.”

She expects the COVID-19 pandemic will alter the experience of working at the polls, as well as in-person voting.

“The safety protocols and everything are definitely out there,” Beals said. “Plus we have seen a change in the absentee voter process. I am expecting that we will see less people coming through …to vote in person.”

However, the pandemic does not change Beals’ appreciation for citizens who participate in the political process.

“I would thank everybody that comes through to vote, which is what we do anyway. We try to thank everyone and anyone,” she said.

She also noted that the township and county clerks who have trained election workers over the years have been very supportive.

“The county clerks who do the training — and there have been several over the years –they have been wonderful,” Beals said. “It inspires you to learn more about your government and how it all works.”

Marquette Township Clerk Randy Ritari said the absentee ballots will play a significant role in today’s election, as absentee ballots cannot be processed until Election Day in Michigan.

“Absentee (ballot) processing is going to be the biggest challenge. Half the township has voted absentee. We have about 3,700 registered voters in Marquette Township,” Ritari said. “We have issued 1,704 absentee ballots. And (as of Thursday) we have received 1,410, so 300 are outstanding. We usually have an 80 percent turnout. I am expecting the in-person voting to be steady, but not overwhelming.”

He estimates that poll workers will be able to put about 100 absentee ballots per hour through the one tabulator machine allotted for that task, meaning it could take around 14 hours to process the ballots.

“We are asking residents to be patient and we will get (results) as soon as we possibly can,” Ritari said.

For those who will vote in person, cleaning protocols and touchless ID scanning, will be used, he said.

Ishpeming City Clerk Cathy Smith said this is her first presidential election as clerk, but she has noted differences between this election and past elections, including safety protocols and absentee ballots.

“To me, absentee voter ballots are way higher,” Smith said. “We had 500 for 2016 and this year we have issued 1,800 ballots and as of Thursday we have 1,400 back.”

She said there are 5,300 registered voters in the city.

Finding election workers to work the two precincts in the city has been one stumbling block, she said.

“To me, it’s a challenge to get enough workers. We have been able, this year, to get people from other municipalities,” Smith said.

More than 2.8 million absentee votes had already been cast as of Monday, more than half of the total 5.08 million total turnout of the 2008 presidential election, according to Whitmer’s release.

For those who still plan to vote in person on Election Day, clerk’s offices, polling places and election workers have been supplied with protective equipment and hygiene supplies, and will follow protocols to protect voters from COVID-19. Polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. today.

Lisa Bowers can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 242. Her email address is lbowers@miningjournal.net.