THE DANCING ELECTION JUDGE

Who says voting and elections must be all serious? Certainly not Debra Kamholz of Owatonna.

Voters heading into Steele County’s largest voting precinct at Bethel Church in Owatonna got more than they bargained for during last week’s election when they were greeted with music and a dancing election judge. It was all part of Kamholz’s plan to lighten the mood on Election Day.

“People were startled to see an election judge greeting them with music,” said Kamholz, who is in her first year as an elections judge in Steele County. “That’s pushing the envelope and doing something different instead of the same old thing.”

With an air traffic controller style of arm waving and disco classics playing from her iPhone—featuring ABBA, Earth, Wind & Fire and the Bee Gees—Kamholz guided voters into the polling room with high energy.

“Music can energize people, calm people and get people really, really excited,” Kamholz explained. “Voting is a right we have as citizens of the U.S., and while it’s serious, it’s also a time to be joyful. I wanted people to feel comfortable coming into the polling place to cast their ballot.”

Kamholz’s knack for reading a room and connecting with people comes naturally. In her professional life, she works as a writer for Allina Health, and years ago she served in public affairs with the U.S. Air Force.

That experience in public communication showed up on Election Day at Bethel. She carefully read the energy of incoming voters, adjusting her approach for those open to a little extra fun. Some voters immediately picked up on the music and started dancing along.

Sharon Klein, the precinct’s head election judge, welcomed the festive entry.

“We had a number of people comment how it improved a rainy cool day,” Klein said. “She decided to add just a little fun. It was not something we discussed beforehand—it was just her normal personality and how she wanted to encourage people to vote.”

The dancing routine brought joy to Kamholz.

“I enjoyed watching people smiling when they heard the music coming in and leaving again,” she said.

Voting, Kamholz said, doesn’t have to be a scary thing. “People came in all serious and it lightened the mood,” she said.

“I like to push the limit,” Kamholz said. “In my experience with voting, it’s very quiet, very prim and proper. I hope that showing another way of welcoming people can also be fun,” she said. “I know I helped make people smile.”

Kamholz isn’t ashamed one bit about taking on the role of being a dancing election judge. And besides, as she chuckled, “Nobody told me I couldn’t do it.”

After her initial 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. shift on Election Day, Kamholz came back to assist later in the afternoon for a few more hours. “It was a wonderful experience,” she said, noting she had applied to be an election judge two years ago.

Others should consider being an election judge, though they wouldn’t need to be compelled to offer dancing as part of it, she said. She encourages others to get involved in the elections process with one major piece of advice: “You need to be non-partisan. You have to leave your political party at the door when you are an election judge.”

For Kamholz, the overall experience has solidified in her mind that Minnesota’s elections are safe without the election fraud that some have claimed to be running rampant.

“There has been a lot of fear mongering with elections,” Kamholz said. “I was already confident going into it, but this solidified it for me.”

Outside the polls, Kamholz confesses to maintaining a positive outlook and uncanny style in her daily life. “I dance pretty much every day,” she says. “We are never guaranteed tomorrow, let alone the next hour. I try to find joy every day. I have so much hope.”

Kamholz plans to do her dancing routine all over again in two years at the next election.