SOS Bowen to Honor Poll Workers

Longest Serving Poll Workers in Santa Cruz County to be Honored by Secretary of State Bowen

In an effort to celebrate the service of people who serve in the polls, Secretary of State Debra Bowen has been traveling throughout the state to honor those who have served in the polls the longest.

Secretary Bowen will be in Santa Cruz to honor Constance “Connie” Adkins and Carol Marchbank at the Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, September 11 at 10:45 a.m. at 701 Ocean St., 5th Floor, Santa Cruz. Following the presentation, there will be a reception in the Redevelopment Conference Room on the 5th Floor for the honorees and guests.

Connie has served 60 years, and Carol has been a poll worker for 55 years.

“Connie and Carol are true patriots,” County Clerk Gail L. Pellerin said. “Election day could not happen without the dedicated service of our poll workers. I am grateful to Secretary of State Bowen for recognizing their many years of community service.”

“For decades Santa Cruz residents have counted on Connie and Carol to keep the polls running smoothly and I thank them for their valuable public service,” said Secretary Bowen, California’s chief elections official. “Experienced poll workers play an indispensable part of any successful election, but even the most seasoned veterans need help. I’d love to see more voters and high school students in Santa Cruz join Carol and Connie by dedicating a day to democracy and be a poll worker on November 6!”

Constance “Connie” Adkins was born in 1926 and has been serving in the polls since Eisenhower was elected president in 1952.  She began serving in Santa Clara County with her parents.  Her father delivered the booths, at that time made of metal and wood, to the precincts.  Her mother volunteered as a poll worker and later was hired as a full time employee in the Santa Clara County Elections Department.  Her most memorable moment working the polls was her first time.  They hand counted every ballot and worked until noon the next day, without sleep. Her advice to young and new poll workers is to “get involved, remember it is a privilege to vote and working the polls is a great way to understand how all the pieces fit together.  Plus it is a lot of fun.” At 85 Connie still works a full shift at her polling place in Scotts Valley.

Carol Marchbank first served in the polls in 1957 in Hood River, Oregon. Her mother-in-law offered to watch her three children if she would take her place at the election.  Later she moved to San Jose and served as the inspector of her polling place for several years.  Carol recalled that Norm Mineta voted in her garage when he was mayor of San Jose.  Later when he was a Congressmember, he invited Carol, her husband Chuck, and their son Kelly to lunch and a tour of his office and the White House when they were in Washington D.C. for a Hickory Farms convention.  At 79 years old, Carol continues to serve as a full-time clerk at her polling place in Capitola. Carol’s advice to all poll workers is to “wear a smile at all times and thank each person for coming in and casting a ballot.”