Bethany Center resident celebrates 42nd election as poll worker
The Californer/10296431

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 4, 2024 ~ San Francisco, CA - Elizabeth "Liz" Dunlap, a resident of Bethany Center, a community managed by CARING Housing Ministries, has been recognized for her unwavering dedication to civic duty. For over three decades, Liz has served as a poll worker in the Mission District, ensuring the smooth operation of elections within her community. Tomorrow marks her forty-second election as a poll worker.

Liz's commitment to the democratic process goes beyond simply showing up on Election Day. She first volunteered as a clerk at her church and local polling places near her apartment. Since moving to Bethany Center over 30 years ago, she has been a poll worker for the majority of elections held at the community.

In 2006, Liz took on the role of an election inspector, which comes with added responsibilities such as supervising clerks and ensuring secure handling of ballots. As an inspector, she plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of elections by overseeing the chain of custody and accounting for every single ballot cast. This meticulous process involves removing memory cards from ballot marking devices and securing tapes that record votes to ensure transparency and accuracy in vote counting.

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Aside from her direct involvement in managing elections, Liz is also a passionate advocate for voting accessibility. She is a member of the Voting Accessibility Advisory Committee where she shares her input from both perspectives - as a poll worker and as a person with a disability. The committee meets regularly to discuss accessibility and elections, including reviewing potential updates to voting equipment to ensure accessibility before adoption.

Negeen Etemad, Poll Worker Assistant Manager at the San Francisco Department of Elections, praises Liz's dedication saying, "Working with Elizabeth, you can see the level of care and dedication she has for equity in voting and serving her community." She adds that Liz is always eager to assist both voters and the department.

Encouraging others to follow in her footsteps, Liz says, "If someone is interested in elections and would like to participate as a poll worker, they should try it." She believes that participating in the election process, even if not as a poll worker, is crucial for a healthy democracy.

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For those unable to volunteer as poll workers, Liz emphasizes the importance of engaging in conversations about voting with friends and family. "Voting is important. It's your voice and your voice counts," she states, highlighting the power and significance of each vote. Liz's story serves as an inspiration, reminding us that active citizenship, in all its forms, is fundamental to a thriving democracy.

Front Porch Communities and Services applauds Elizabeth Dunlap for her unwavering commitment to civic duty and her dedication to making elections accessible to all. Her story exemplifies the power of individual action in strengthening our democracy. To read more about Liz Dunlap and her volunteer efforts as a poll worker, visit the Front Porch blog at https://frontporch.net/bethany-center-poll-worker/.

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