How I Prepared For My Three-Hour Training For BOE 2025

I started volunteering as a Voting Inspector in 2022. I have learned a great deal about my body since then. I made adjustments.

2025 is no different.

First, I recommend that people visit their local county website to help them navigate and answer the test questions for Voting Inspector training. Some of the questions were in the handouts, and we were not allowed to read the handouts during the test.

Most of the training was hands-on and focused on setting up the new voting machines. It was hard to focus on the other information on the handout.

Note: We were the first batch of people to be trained in this New Facility and with the New Voting Machines. They were still moving things from the old facility. You are not allowed to take pictures on Voting day.

I only sign up for one location near where I live so I can go home on my break, rest, and take another shower to refresh. I tend to be like a wilting flower if I sit or stand too long.

Let's get to how I prepare. I have hypertension, and my legs swell up if I stand too long. I had a blood pressure of 165/90, plus a few times too many.

Two days before the training, I double up on my gut medications. I also have SBO. Meaning the bowel gets stuck in my gut. If I don't take the medications, I get issues and would need to go to the hospital to remove the obstructions.

When I take my gut medication, Linzess or Senna, I will be in the bathroom a lot. Senna, I have to double for it to work, and Linzess, I can take it by itself. Linzess can overdo it, so I tend to switch from the two medications depending on the severity of my stomach issue.

For my hypertension and stress, I take hydroxyzine. A few years back, I had a (TIA), which I call a mini stroke. You also get a tingling feeling from your jaw line on your left side. My cognitive ability in putting words together was off. It corrected itself over time. It took a lot of focus.

I usually drink a lot of water, but on the day of the training, I did not because I would be urinating a lot.

I had a bagel to keep my energy up. I usually replace Ensure with food, but not on this training day. I did not want to feel lightheaded.

I also do 2- to 5-minute light exercises, such as easy yoga. Yoga helped with the numbness. No one can tell if I had health issues because my preparations covered it up so well. I move my legs while sitting as well.

I took both Tylenol and Ibuprofen to reduce pain and swelling. I also wear my back brace under my clothes. I also wear copper socks compressors

No, I do not look like Carol Barnnet on Mama or Midea on Tyler Perry. I was told I look under thirty, lol. I am over 50 years old.

I often act younger than my age, perhaps because I've worked with children.

To say the least, I arrived home with back pain. The Tylenol and the rubbing pain cream wore off. I had Chicken Salad and a fruit Machine Smoothie before bed. I used my Conair Comfort heating massage pad.

I did drink three cups of water before bed to make up for the one cup of water I drank for the day. Since I also have a new Blood Pressure medication, not to mention for privacy. I don't need to drink as much water.

I usually have time to talk with neighbors, but not after training; I didn't have the energy to carry on a conversation. I just greeted my neighbors and went straight home to recoup.

Note: My low energy level could be caused by just eating one bagel. I do not get so much numbness and tingling discomfort when I take my blood pressure medication.

I probably fell asleep before 6 pm. I was very worn out and in a lot of pain. I try to stay away from people when I am in pain. I do not want people to feel sorry for me when I am in pain.

I am going to rest the day after the training. This is how I prepare for

training. I would love anyone's suggestions on how I can improve.

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The training was good considering the trainers had to work in a facility that was not completely organized.

We were given a binder instead of a folder. Everything in the binder can be found online in color.

The site Chair is given more responsibilities this time around. I do not feel comfortable being a site chair due to my own limitations in adjusting to my health comfort zone management.