I'm Melissa Portala, a Poll Monitor from Lucas County, Ohio. I've "only" been working with Election Protection since the midterm in 2022, although — since this is Ohio — it feels as though I've been doing this much longer!
I'll never forget my first cycle. Because I am a volunteer activist and already have a team of dedicated democracy defenders, I was able to bring many of them into the Election Protection universe with me. I had no idea how fraught Election Night would be here in Lucas County, nor how frazzled yet fulfilled we would all be once it was over.
Lucas County had numerous problems, from missing keys for polling locations that could not open on time, to incidents in the electioneering zone. I sent over our best Poll Monitors for back up before calling Peacekeepers to help de-escalate. Meanwhile, other locations were having breakdowns in machines and voters were leaving. It was nonstop for 14 hours and by the end, I was completely fried.
The Lucas County Team felt like we really did a service for voters here. While the best day is a "boring" day, that experience was evidence that poll monitors are needed to help keep voters in line and feeling heard when things go awry.
I'm excited about the Election Protection Summit on July 13 as I look forward to sharing more experiences and hearing from other volunteers on how they handle various situations. Everyone involved in Election Protection knows how important it is to participate in Democracy. Voting is the most sacred rite we have in a free society and we all have a role to play in upholding that rite and ensuring it is there for others.
It is mentally and spiritually fortifying to gather with other like-minded people. I invite anyone who has had a chance to work with Election Protection, or anyone who is interested in doing so for the first time, to come join us — I can't wait to meet you!
Melissa Portala, Lucas County Poll Monitor
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