Have you ever been a poll worker, and if so, what was that experience like?

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Honest-Sea8911@reddit

I'll be doing it for the fist time this week. Can I jump in and ask if anyone has any advise to what to take or do that's not mentioned in the official info ( ie, food/ etiquette)

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Ah, yes, I can tell you. I don't know what the exact rules are there, but there should be a person designated as being in charge of the poll station. You should pack expecting a long day, and you should bring things with caffeine like Red Bull or coffee. Given the UK usually puts poll stations in schools, they may well let you use the staff refrigerator, that was something they let me do last year. Use things you can easily and quickly eat, perhaps a can of oranges or peaches with a pull tab (unless you have a can opener in a multitool or swiss army knife). Maybe take some scones with you, or other food you can take without needing to be heated except maybe microwaveable food,and take simple condiments like a jar of marmite.

I suspect that if you are present for the counting of ballots, they will not let you leave until they are done, or if you leave you cannot come back. The latter was the rule when I did it. The poll worker in charge will probably tell you.

Depending on what task you have, you may want to bring a couple of basic games you can do alone without an opponent or setup, like phone chess or a word search or crossword puzzles during any lull.

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HollyStone@reddit

I did it at the general election last year and polling day looked like this:

Before the polls open: Arrive around 6am, set up the booths, put up the signs, go over the plan with the other workers, witness the abllot box being sealed, tell the people at the door to go away and come back at 7.

During the day: Check ID, cross off names, hand over ballots, give instructions. Drink lots of tea. Eat snacks. Read a book. Sit on uncomfortable chairs all day. Stretch your legs by popping outside to check the signs haven't blown down. Eat your packed lunch (you cannot leave the polling station until polls close).

Our polling station was quite quiet, but until about 8pm people were coming in frequently enough that the time didn't drag.

Polls close: Start the packing up process early because your polling station hasn't seen a voter in an hour. Tidy up. Organise the materials (What's getting thrown away, recycled, or returned). Fill out the paperwork. Witness the ballot box being closed and sealed. The returning officer takes the ballot box to the count location. Go home around 10:30pm. Get your partner to bring you tea and snacks in bed because your body aches from sitting in uncomfortable chairs all day.

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Awesomeuser90@reddit (OP)

Interestingly, the deputy returning officer (one of whom is stationed at each polling site) did tell me and the others that we could leave for lunch if we wished. I believe we had about 60 minutes.

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Downtown-Orchid-2257@reddit

I've done it a couple of times. Rarely at the same polling station; they seem to like switching us up. The day can drag a little but I always take a fairly inoffensive book to read. It helps top up my income as it's fairly sprodiac for various reasons, plus I find it interesting meeting people.

Things were a little tense in last year's general election as it was the first time we were asking for photographic ID. But it wasn't as bad as I was anticipating.

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Terrabletypo_@reddit

I’m polling tomorrow…! It’s as fun as you make it; I’m working at the same station I have done for a few years now with (thankfully) a clerk I know and a Presiding that has been there for practically ever. Mine is notoriously one of the biggest in the city so despite an anticipated low turn out tomorrow it’ll be enough to get me through the long day but quiet enough to actually get to speak to people.

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