Catholics help keep primary election polls running
Published: 08.26.08
JANET SHELTON | FC
Deacon Lionel Roberts’ car is parked at Pinellas County’s Precinct 36.
ST. PETERSBURG | On election days, Deacon Lionel Roberts’ car shows his dedication to God and community.
Resting on the dashboard in the front window, an “Elections Official” sign marks him as a man with political responsibility. Inches away, a blue rosary hangs from the rearview mirror.
Originally from Trinidad, Deacon Roberts has worked election days for years — first as a resident of New York, now in Florida. In several precincts in south St. Petersburg, he oversees polling sites, checking on them throughout the day to make sure all is running smoothly. If it isn’t, he works to solve the problem.
JANET SHELTON | FC
Deacon Lionel Roberts oversees voting sites in several precincts in south St. Petersburg.
MARLENE QUARONI | FC
Rose De Merle, a member of St. Rose of Lima Parish in Miami Shores, is up early on election days to be at her assigned polling place by 6 in the morning.
Deacon Roberts, who belongs to Blessed Trinity Parish in St. Petersburg, was one of many Catholic parishioners on duty at polling places throughout Florida for the Tuesday, Aug. 26, primary election. They were answering in a special way the U.S. bishops’ call to faithful citizenship and to participation in the public square.
Deacon Roberts has several reasons for being involved in elections.
“What I think is, basically, there is a responsibility to be involved in the voting process and (I want) to encourage people to fulfill their responsibilities by voting. The other part of it is for my own education in the voting process.”
Rose De Merle, a parishioner at St. Rose of Lima in Miami Shores, also is a longtime poll worker.
“It’s important to be a good citizen and serve your country. As a Catholic I want to be responsible and do the right thing. God wants us to care about our country and the community that we live in,” said De Merle, a native of Colombia who ran unsuccessfully for the City Commission in her current home, Biscayne Park. “You need to be patient and helpful to voters. It takes a lot of discipline. I get up at 4 a.m. on election day to be at the polling place at 6 a.m.”
When Maybelle McGee of Ascension Parish in Melbourne slipped out of her apartment at 5:45 a.m. to head off to a 13–hour day that might be daunting to most, she brought with her to the polls all the energy, enthusiasm and commitment of her 86 years.
“As a Catholic, I think this is a good way to give my time,” McGee explained. “I’m involved in many ministries at Ascension and I wanted to do something civically.”
It was while attending Catholic Days at the Capitol with the Council of Catholic Women that McGee became interested in the legislative process. “After seven years of attending and supporting issues concerning children, I knew I had to become involved,” she said.
The duties she performed throughout the primary election day — outlined in her procedure manual — include determining the eligibility of the voter, instructing the voter on completion of the ballot and set up and break down of the polling room.
“The job isn’t difficult,” McGee said, “we have to be welcoming and pleasant and help people to vote — for some there has to be an explanation.”
Correspondents Laura Dodson and Marlene Quaroni contributed to this story.
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