Inside Elections

At a little after 1 p.m. on Thursday, 400 Poll Worker Academy graduates settled into their seats at the Little Theater at the College of San Mateo.

San Mateo County Board of Supervisors President Rose Jacobs Gibson told the graduates that “it makes me so proud to represent all of you.”

State Sen. Leland Yee, D-San Francisco/San Mateo, talked of what made him want to vote and get involved, and told the poll workers that they are “a role model to all other poll workers.” He then noted that David Tom, our Elections Manager, who used to work in San Francisco, ought to give back his salary to be able to work with all of the poll workers.

Warren Slocum, our Chief Elections Officer, talked about the firsts, saying:

· We are the first county to offer a Poll Worker Academy and to certify poll workers for Election Day service in California.· We are the first poll worker program to work in partnership with its community college system to offer graduates college credit.

· We are the first poll worker training program in California in which poll workers received an intensive eight hours of instruction devoted to the technical mastery of the eSlate voting system and how to serve voters.

And San Mateo County Community College District Chancellor Ron Galatolo invited everyone back to take other classes.

You could smell the pride in the air.

And then, ten Elections Office staff members, wearing sequined red, white and blue vests, burst onstage to lead the crowd in a sing-along karaoke song and dance number, “Ode to an eSlate.” You had to be there.

After the ceremony, a reception spilled into the courtyard. The mood was upbeat, the chatter was all about elections, the air was balmy, and the College of San Mateo Jazz Ensemble made you want to dance.

Carrot cake with gooey frosting topped the whole thing off!