From first-time voter to election leader
That night, Ashton Hicks settled in after a long day as a precinct election officer, having overseen the polling location at Faith Lutheran Church on Jamestowne Boulevard in Farragut.
While likely tired, Hicks also felt the same pride that inspired him to become involved in this process more than a decade ago.
“I think it’s one of the most important things we can do as Americans,” Hicks said. “I’ve often said that if you don’t like the way things are going, you can’t complain unless you voted because that’s how we make change.“
Hicks said his mother made sure to take him with her when she went to vote. That influence sparked involvement, as an 18-year-old Hicks asked about becoming a poll worker for a 2015 local election. He became a precinct officer the next year and served in that role until 2020 when he moved to Knoxville.
“I’ve always been kind of a democracy nerd,” he quipped. “I think everyone in this country should have the right to vote and should exercise that right. It’s always fascinated me, and it’s cool to be a part of it now as an adult.”
He previously served at a Knoxville Head Start location south of the river then was moved to Faith Lutheran for the mayoral election this year.
“At this precinct, we have everyone from every different background on the ideological and political spectrum,” he added. “We have Republicans and Democrats, as we’re supposed to by law, but we all come together to achieve a free and fair election in our specific precinct. If anyone has any doubt as to the integrity of elections in the state of Tennessee, I would tell them to show up and work an election on Election Day because I assure you it’s one of the most secure procedures that takes place.”
After picking up the sealed ballot machines, Hicks and other poll workers arrived at Faith Lutheran at 7 a.m. on Election Day. He and one member of each party set up the machines and printed off a zero tape, which shows that zero votes have been cast on either machine.
They double-checked the zero votes then re-sealed the machines, ensuring no one would have access to the ballot box while polls would be open.
Throughout the day, Hicks and other workers made sure the number of voters entering the room matched with the number of people casting a vote. They paid special attention to certain situations, like when a legally blind man came in to cast his vote.
In this case, the man still had some vision, so he used a high-contrast screen on a machine built for disabled people to make his selections.
“But also, had he chosen, we could have had the machine read the ballot to him, too,” Hicks said. “The capabilities of it are incredible. I would hate for anyone to think that they would not be able to exercise their right to vote because they felt like they didn’t have access, so we want to give that same opportunity to anyone.”
When the man walked out, he was presented with the same red, Tennessee-shaped sticker as everyone else who came through the door.
After polls closed, the same representatives who joined Hicks that morning helped him close the machines. They printed out the report showing the number of ballots cast, ensuring it matched the number of ballots they gave out, and everyone signed off on it.
They removed the ballot
bag from the machine and it was marked with two seals — a blue one from the Democrat and a red one from the Republican.
Hicks and the two others placed a vote tally sheet on the church doors then delivered the machines downtown.
“So, in any one moment, there is never just one person with the ballot bag and machines,” he said.
Going forward, Hicks plans to serve in more elections but wants others to be involved, too. To apply to be a poll worker in Knox County, visit this link: https://www.knoxcounty.org/election/application.php.
“We are always in need of more election workers, especially younger folks,” Hicks said. “I’ve known some
people who have done it for five years and some who have done it for 50.”
“Ashton is a perfect example of breaking the myth that you have to be retired to do this,” added Chris Davis, Knox County’s administrator of Elections. “He’s been an officer for years for us. He is a perfect example of doing this at a young age and does a great job.”
Workers are paid for their time, so it is not a volunteer position. It does, however, bring a sense of pride that is perhaps worth even more.
“It’s a way to give back and earn a little spending cash too,” Hicks said. “I’m a big fan of Voltaire in saying, ‘I may not agree with what you’re saying, but I’ll defend your right to say it.’ That’s how I’ve always thought, and free and fair elections are the way we preserve democracy in this country.”
