Actually the board counted the ballots with a member of each party doing the reading. If we came across a ballot that appeared to be tampered with it was thrown out, or we called the county board of elections and they came to look at it. In our town we had many exciting elections,some candidates winning by 1 vote, so your vote does count, especially in small towns or citites.

One time my Dad was running for county freeholder the same time Eisenhower was running for president, and my dad came into the polls and here he had an Ike pin on his lapel. It was pretty and made out of a zircon type stones. I had to go up to him and tell him to remove the pin immediately or he would be arrested. Haha. it was funny, but he really forgot he had it on and removed it until he left. He was really embarrassed.

It was an exciting election being a presidential one. I had a rough day, talk about people getting into heated arguments. One of the challengers on the opposite party that I was affiliated with had books of matches with their candidates picture laying on the table so that people could pick them up, and just before that he had wanted to call the police about a voter who came in with a letter from a candidate and was asking questions, wow, all heck broke loose. Then I happened to walk over to this challenger to try to make peace and not bother with the police, and then noticed that this same man was the one with the matchbooks, I asked him if he wanted to go to jail too. LOL, it wasn't funny at the time, but just goes to show how some elections can be. Thought we were going to have fist fights.

I loved the experience I had over those 9 years. I found it interesting and a learning experience for sure. I could write a book about politics in small towns.Guess that is why I still read a lot about our history concerning all Presidents from Roosevelt days on up until today. When you read their speeches, they all more or less say the same thing. Education, Medical, Taxes, Jobs, etc. If you didn't know who was giving the speech, you almost wouldn't be able to tell the difference. haha. of course each party has it own platform. Sorry, I am talking too long too. haha, should been a poliitician. hehehe.