15 HOURS FINDING COMMON GROUND AS BOARD OF ELECTION VOLUNTEERS
Civic Duty: Responsibility toward the society or place in which you live.
As my third and final blog installment third and final blog installment about Civic Duty and volunteering for the Board of Elections, the primaries took place last week in my home state of New Jersey. Across the state, a diverse group of volunteers were put into action, united by a common purpose. Our duties transcended political affiliations and party lines. We were tasked with upholding the integrity of our democratic process, ensuring that every vote is counted and every voice is heard. In the heat of partisan politics, it's easy to forget that we are all united by a common purpose: to serve our communities and uphold the principles of democracy.
My recent 15-hour volunteer experience for the Board of
Elections was not just a duty but a profound journey of personal growth and
understanding. Working alongside fellow volunteers from the Republican and
Democratic parties, I was struck by the transformative power of civic duty. Despite
our political differences, our shared commitment to facilitating the voting
process was a testament to the potential for personal growth and understanding
in the face of contrasts.
What struck me most was the realization that, despite our diverse backgrounds and beliefs, we all shared a deep reverence for the democratic process and a sincere desire to ensure a fair and transparent election. As we meticulously and collaboratively verified the opening and closing checklist, calibrated the technology, verified all materials, prepared voter registrations, assisted voters with their ballots, and compiled the results, our conversations often veered away from politics and toward our shared experiences as volunteers.
In those moments, I discovered that my fellow volunteers were not just political adversaries but individuals with unique stories, aspirations, and values. We laughed together, shared anecdotes from our lives outside the polling place; our favorite restaurant, what type of car we drive, the economic development in our community, and our favorite binge-watch TV shows, forging connections that transcended the partisan divide.
What resonated with me was the shared values and aspirations that underpinned our diverse political beliefs. We all held a deep respect for the democratic process, a commitment to the rule of law, and a belief in the transformative power of civic engagement. These shared values, I realized, were the threads that wove our diverse group of volunteers into a unified whole.
Ultimately, our time together as Board of Election volunteers was a powerful reminder that, despite the polarization and divisiveness that often characterize our political discourse, far more unites us than divides us. By coming together in service of a common cause, we were able to bridge the divides that separate us and reaffirm our shared humanity. And yes, we all agreed to return in November for the November for the General Election to conduct our Civic Duty again.
As we continue our political journeys, let us not forget the lessons we learned as Board of Election volunteers. Let us actively seek opportunities to build bridges, foster understanding, and find common ground with those with different perspectives. Above all, let us never underestimate the power of civility, empathy, and cooperation to bridge even the most entrenched divisions.
