I have a theory that I want to test.
This is it:
That if it wasn't for women, especially women over 40, democracy as we know it would fall apart because there would be no one to run the polls.
I am just curious, how many men did you see running the polls where you went to vote? I don't think anytime I've ever voted there has been a man volunteer running the polls. Usually it is all women. Is this just a strange phenomenon of my own life? What was the gender distribution of poll workers where you voted?
You can never have too many old pictures of suffragettes, especially ones pushing babies. I'm glad strollers have gotten a bit more high-tech since then.
10 comments:
there were probably 2 men of about 12 volunteers at my polling location. maybe it's b/c more men are working during the day? i don't know...good observation.
It was equal in terms of gender at my polling location, but I live in Illinois (liberal Chicago area). Maybe it's just a difference of gender roles in Utah, as more women are apt to stay at home with their families, thus having more "free" time when the kids are grown up to do things like volunteer at the polls?
At the poll in Boise I went to there weren't any men, I didn't even think about it when i was voting but now that I have, it is something to think aobut. Good observation. Go Heather!
Women, women...and a good thing too because somebody had to entertain Haley while I voted, and women are always up for that.
I do think Emily is right and that older women do tend to have more time, but then where are all the old men? How come they aren't out there too? Also, I know several working women who volunteer at the polls and who take a day off of work to do it.
I would agree that women are more commonly seen, but there was at least one male pole worker at my location and my father-in-law is a pole worker (yes, he had to take work off).
In Oregon, all ballots are done by mail. Therefore, all election ballot workers are mailmen (or male-men, if you prefer). I guess the correct term is postal worker. Though our postal worker is female...
What I think is interesting is how this last election was the biggest voter turnout since 1908...and I thought, well DUH, women couldn't even vote then, and I bet few African Americans were registered.
There were 9 volunteers where I voted, and 3-4 were men. (one even in his 30s)
I am happily surprised to hear that there are more male poll workers than I thought. Even though it sounds like women are still the majority. Either way, I think we all owe a big thanks to those who ran the polls and made democracy possible, male or female.
Heather,
This is Bita (from the good old high school and Ammon Pool days :)). I realized today that I don't think I ever responded to the comment you left on my blog, which I'm very sorry about. It's great to be able to see what you are up to-your little boy is very cute! Anyway, just thought I'd say hi, and tell you that I am reading your blog and you are welcome to visit us whenever you like!
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