Oct. 18. By Dave Vieser. When voters go to the polls at Cornelius Town Hall or Bethel Church this year, they are likely to see a familiar face: Kathy Weitzel has been a computer operator/poll worker since 2015. She says it’s a fascinating experience.

Quotable

“I started when a dear neighbor of mine who had moved away several years before called and asked if I wanted to work with her.  It was her first year working at the polls in Charlotte.  As it turned out, she was unable to work that year, but I still had a great first experience and really enjoyed seeing a different part of area, although you can imagine trying to drive from Cornelius to Tuckaseegee Road every day for two weeks! Then I went on to work at my home precinct, Bethel Church, the same year.  I’ve gone on to work Early Voting at Cornelius Town Hall and Bethel Church on Election Day every year since.”

Kathy Weitzel

What is your job?

“As a computer operator at early voting, we see everyone that comes in the door to vote. Our job is to confirm that the voter is registered to vote in the system and has the proper ID (current law). We also provide same day new voter registration and apply necessary changes in the system, such as a change of name or address. As a computer operator, I am not the final authority on who can or cannot vote.  Any issues that I encounter are turned over to the judges at the polling site. The most common issues that arise are those who don’t have the proper photo ID or lack current proof of residency. However, even if a voter cannot vote an electronic ballot, they are given the option to vote a provisional ballot.”

Has she ever encountered an unruly voter?

“Most of the time, voters have always been eager to vote and show their IDs, even when it was not required.  One time a few years ago, we had a voter who just didn’t like the way voting was being handled.  She was extremely outspoken about the process, finally just shouting that we were committing fraud.  That was the only time that I remember ever seeing a voter escorted out of the polling site.”

What was the most memorable positive experience she has had at the polling places?

“Several years ago….it was the second to last day of early voting, and we were close to closing time.  A large woman, dressed to the nines, in a bright red suit, bright red lipstick and perfectly coiffed hair, walked in with the biggest smile on her face.  She announced to us that she was born and grew up in the Caribbean and had just attended her swearing in ceremony to become a US citizen. She went on to say that she was here to vote for the first time and burst into happy tears! I can’t tell you what an impression that made on me.  She was a wonderful reminder that voting is truly an honor in this country and helping people achieve their rights as a citizen makes me proud to be a part of it.”

She and husband Bob met in 1986 and married in 1993.  They’ve been living at Jetton Cove in Cornelius for 26 years. 

Early Voting ends at 3 pm Saturday Nov. 2. Click here for a list of polling places.