On Tuesday, the Lubbock County elections office experienced the hustle and bustle of last minute crowds trying to register to vote from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., however it’s days like this that longtime elections worker, Geneva Botkin, describes as “exciting.”
For now more than two decades, the 84-year-old has been devoting some of her time to the county elections office. Botkin says when she retired, she knew she wanted to fill her time working as an elections worker. She began at the local polls, until she was asked to join the front office.
Today, she’s even proven to be a familiar face for folks out in the community.
“I see a lot of people out who say ‘I know you from somewhere! But I don’t know where,’ so it could be from here,” said Botkin.
While a busy day at the office may be a headache for some, Botkin says she enjoys seeing everyone come out for days like voter registration and election day.
“I just love working around the people and the people that walk in, and it’s an important to job to do.”
Her coworkers say she holds a vital and dear place in the office, both for her hard work ethic as well as her warm personality.
“She’s great to be the front face of people when they walk in and they need help. She’s very kind and gentle with them,” said Dorothy Kennedy, administrator for the county elections office.” And she makes a mean chocolate cake, so that’s great and handy too!”
While Botkin says she cannot share her personal opinion on the nature of the presidential election, she says it has certainly been “interesting” and unique in some ways, one of which being voter turnout.
“There’s been a lot of young voters especially the Tech students which has been good, as well as the Lubbock Christian students,” said Botkin.
22 years and counting, Botkin says she hopes to continue helping voters, young and old, for as long as she can.
“I like being out with people and I love working with the ones here.”
Botkin and her coworkers say that there is a high demand for workers on Election Day, November 8. Training as well as service on Election Day is all paid. If you would be interested in volunteering to be an election worker, you can visit votelubbock.org for more information.
