OAK HARBOR, Ohio — Election Day is Tuesday, and as voters prepare to head to polling locations, the workers who staff those locations across northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan are preparing, too.
Dave Robenstine, a voting location manager at the Ottawa County Board of Elections, said he's been working at polling locations for about 17 years and estimates he's participated in 40 elections.
He and other poll workers spent time Monday night preparing for Tuesday morning.
"Hang up as much of the information and signs that we're legally allowed to hang up which will make our job tomorrow morning a little bit easier," Robenstine said.
He said the eight-person crew is expecting a large turnout on Tuesday.
"I would expect 900-1,000 voters overall through here," Robenstine said. "Pretty heavy turnout."
Robenstine and other voting location managers in the county attended a final training Monday night at Oak Harbor Methodist Church.
Carol Ann Hill, director of the Ottawa County BOE, said part of the poll worker training does involve security measures and how to de-escalate a situation. She doesn't expect issues, though.
"As we all remember in Ottawa County that we share a common goal: cast a ballot safely and count it accurately," Hill said. "I think we're going to have a fun day tomorrow."
As Robenstine and the rest of his crew hung up the last sign and set out "I voted" stickers, the importance of their work was top of mind.
"The day gets longer every year I can assure you that, as it does for all of our poll workers," Robenstine said. "It's just one of those things you do because that's what you do."