“Good morning,” the warehouse supervisor called as Juan stepped out of the Maricopa County election delivery truck.
Juan returned the greeting, “Buenos dias, Frank.” It was Tuesday, November 5th, 2024. Election day. The early morning sun cast a golden hue over the Maricopa County warehouse where Juan had just fueled and inspected the twenty-six-foot-long vehicle he would be operating. “We’re good-to-go.”
Frank handed Juan a clipboard containing the day’s delivery schedule. “Good. We’ve got a busy day ahead. You’re up for deliveries to five polling locations.”
He must be seventy-five years old, Juan thought. I wonder how long Frank’s been doing this.
Juan had met Frank a few days earlier. He’d made it clear how grateful he was that Juan had taken the time from his regular job to assist at the warehouse. Frank was a very nice gentleman, but he didn’t have anything near Juan’s vast experience with these kinds of jobs. “Make sure everything’s secured properly and drive safe out there,” he said unnecessarily.
Juan nodded and climbed into the driver’s seat. The familiar rumble of an engine beneath him stirred a sense of purpose within him. Today, I’m gonna make a difference.
At the first polling location, Juan expertly backed the truck into position, the beeping of the reverse alarm echoing through the quiet morning air. He hopped out and began unloading the election equipment—voting machines, ballot boxes, and signage.
“How you doin’ today?” He greeted the poll workers there. He was encouraged by their enthusiasm. They seemed grateful for his strength as he unloaded and carried equipment into position.
A voice called out from across the room. "Hey, we're having trouble with one of the voting machines," a concerned election official asked him for help. Juan had yet to receive any specific training on the voting machines. In fact, he'd been counseled very specifically that he was not to handle any of the keyboards, wires, or other electronic equipment. His job was just to deliver them and plug them in. So he just checked the connection and ensured the machines were getting the power they needed. That seemed to do the trick.
“Hey Frank,” Juan beckoned after completing his first run.
Several anxious-looking warehouse workers surrounded the supervisor, all asking him questions. “Did you need something, um, Juan, right?”
“Yeah, Juan,” he confirmed his name. “I’ve got a quick question.”
Frank looked like he hoped the question wouldn’t be too hard to answer.
“Today is voting day,” Juan began. “It’s the first time I get to vote as a citizen. When can I vote?”
A look of relief washed over Frank’s face. “Oh! Yes, of course. You’re more than welcome to vote after your shift is over, later this afternoon. Does that work for you?”
“OK!” Juan flashed a thumbs-up sign and climbed back in the cab to make his next delivery.
Juan’s shift was over at five pm, but he kept at it for another hour because the poll workers were understaffed and everyone was so busy. After a slow morning, the ballots were now pouring in, and he’d made dozens of pickups from numerous locations around Phoenix. Frank had to remind Juan that he was on the clock. Frank wasn’t allowed to authorize overtime pay.
“I’m not worried about that,” Juan waved away Frank’s objections.
But Frank insisted, “You said you wanted to vote in your first election. Now’s the time for you to do that.”
“OK,” Juan grinned. He signed his timesheet, shook Frank’s hand, and headed for the nearest voting booth.
What Happens When Juan Votes?
Choose Option 1: Juan Observes Discrepancies
Choose Option 2: Right Wing Activists