There will be no further training for election workers until the date of Cayman’s first referendum is known.
Jonathan Piercy, Raquel Solomon and Lucille Blackman meet around a table at a polling station. Photo: Carol Winker |
Deputy Supervisor of Elections Orrett Connor made the announcement on Tuesday night after a two-hour mock exercise at the Mary Miller Hall.
‘We don’t have a law, we don’t have a question, we don’t’ have a date – and we’re ready to go,’ Elections Supervisor Kearny Gomez said in an interview last week.
Tuesday’s training session illustrated his remark. The logistics team set up six polling stations complete with voting booths and a table for observers. Elections Office staff had all equipment on hand, from the ballot boxes to pencils to Bibles in case someone needed to take an oath.
Almost 200 polling station workers attended, from presiding officers and polling clerks to the police officers who will help maintain order.
They are training not only for the referendum but for the 2009 general elections. Much of the process is the same, such as checking the list of registered voters or opening and closing the polling station.
Significant differences include the ballot and the presence of observers instead of candidates’ agents, Mr. Connor explained.
Because the referendum involves a question, voters will be asked to tick yes or no. ‘We’re still hoping that is the case. There is a possibility there may be more than one question. And you may have to give additional instructions,’ he said.
‘When we know precisely what course it will take, we will provide that information and your training will be geared towards that in terms of specific wording,’ Mr. Connor concluded.
The mock exercise involved poll workers in taking on various roles, including that of voters. New recruits were assisted through the process by veteran volunteers, some of whom have over 20 years experience.
Mr. Connor and Mr. Gomez circulated through the hall to monitor the exercise, along with Deputy Supervisor Colford Scott and District Commissioner Ernie Scott, who is Deputy Supervisor for Cayman Brac and Little Cayman.
Poll workers on the Brac were scheduled to have a similar training session yesterday.
New this year is a 42-minute training video, copies of which were given out Tuesday night. Produced on DVD, the programme goes through all aspects of the polling stations, from setting up to delivery of the sealed ballot box to the counters.
Chief Logistics Officer Wintroy Randal accepted credit for editing the video, which was made with volunteers and at no cost except the DVDs themselves. But Mr. Randal said the idea for the video came from Mr. Gomez, who is always looking for ways to make the election process more efficient.
Portions of the video were shown on Tuesday night. They included an address from Governor Mr. Stuart Jack, who thanked election workers for their dedication. ‘The integrity of the process hinges on your performance,’ he told them.
Remarks from Mr. Gomez summarised his approach to the job. The Elections Office, he said, strives provide training that builds on strengths and corrects weaknesses.
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