Editor’s Note:
This year Terakeet rolled out a comprehensive Election Day benefit so that all ‘Keeters had time to exercise their right to vote. On Election Day, November 3, 2020, every Terakeet employee was given a block of time on their work calendar where no meetings could be scheduled to allow folks to get out and get to the polls without interruption. This year we also implemented:
- Voting without losing pay or PTO
- Voting during work hours if necessary (for states with early voting)
- Being paid to be a poll worker — getting to use 1 day of special, paid time off to work the polls
We sat down virtually with three ‘Keeters to learn more about how they used this new benefit and what their voting experience was like. Check out what they had to say below.
Q1: How did you use Terakeet’s new Election Day benefit to vote?
Mike Riccardi, Senior Digital Outreach Specialist: I cast my vote through an absentee ballot but didn’t want it to get lost in the mail, so I decided to drop it off at my local Board of Elections.
Chaviva Gordon-Bennett, Digital Content Manager: The day after receiving my ballot in the mail here in Denver, I filled it out and took a bit of extra time after morning drop-off to submit my ballot at a Cook Park ballot box. It was super quick and easy.
Anneliese Harrison, SEO Analyst: I went to vote at the Town Hall on a Wednesday morning around 11:30 am and it was so easy. Easier than I thought it would have been, to be honest.
Q2: Was it helpful to have dedicated time during the workweek to get your ballot in?
Mike Riccardi: My local Board of Elections closes at 4:30 p.m., making it impossible to drop off my ballot after work. Terakeet’s voting policy helped me find time to drop off my ballot during the day before the office closed.
Chaviva Gordon-Bennett: Juggling three kids and work, I loved not having to stress out about finding time to drop my ballot off.
Anneliese Harrison: Having time during the workday to go in and vote was more helpful than I thought it would be, that’s for sure. I have seen a good amount of people gathering for early voting when driving by around 4 or 5 p.m., and luckily, with this flexible work policy, I was able to go at an off time and was in and out pretty quickly!
Q3: What was your voting experience like this year?
Mike Riccardi: This was the first time I ever voted with an absentee ballot. While I did have to wait a while for my ballot to arrive, the process to apply for one was super easy. I was particularly glad to help out some friends and family members who have never voted before by assisting them with their applications.
Chaviva Gordon-Bennett: Every election year, Denver sends out mail-in ballots with “I voted” stickers, which I love. However, this year they sent ballots out a little later than normal — or at least it felt like it was later than usual. As a result, I wanted to get my ballot in ASAP after receiving it, and that’s what I did! When I dropped mine off, there was a couple there with a baby dropping theirs off before me and, like me, they were snapping selfies. A woman showed up after me and also snapped a selfie. I have a feeling that there will be more voting selfies this year than ever before.
Anneliese Harrison: Voting was super easy, especially since I went early and at an off time. I had to wait a few minutes in the rain once I got there (due to social distancing), but it was worth it. I went in informed of my options and knew how I was going to vote, so it was very straightforward.
