To their credit, poll workers in Ohio managed to pull off an August election despite the shortened timeline and issues ranging from hastily switched polling locations to machine malfunctions. According to a report by the Ohio Capital Journal, those challenges did not turn into serious problems. But election watchers and the workers who held everything together have raised some alarms.

“It’s more indicative of an election that boards of elections were not fully prepared for, and that poll workers were not adequately trained for,” Nazek Hapasha, policy affairs manager for the League of Women Voters of Ohio, told the Capital Journal.

“Every poll worker across the state is practically a new poll worker because of the new voting laws,” Hapasha said.

Election protection advocates received reports of anti-Issue 1 signs being removed from church precinct locations in New Albany and Powell, while pro-Issue 1 signs were left behind, according to Hapasha. Machines jammed at the Church In the Falls in Cuyahoga Falls and had to be replaced. The same problem occurred at other locations, according to board of elections officials in Summit County.

There were reports of voters being turned away without being told they could vote provisionally, or being improperly advised to vote provisionally, though Hapasha told the Capital Journal the problem seemed to stem from a lack of training rather than devious intent.

However, regarding the removal of campaign signs, a report was made to the Ohio Secretary of State’s Office to tell Secretary of State Frank LaRose “we don’t think it’s right for churches to tip the scale in this way,” she said.

As boards of elections across Ohio work to ensure suitable, accessible polling locations are designated for all voters, they will also have a job on their hands recruiting and training the next batch of poll workers. Many of those who have steadfastly served this state for decades –some viewing it as a civic responsibility — are now reaching the point where it is not so easy to handle poll worker duties.

Mistakes — perhaps borne out of lack of training — did not alter the outcome of the election in the way that might have been anticipated by someone who really was trying to “tip the scale.” That must not lull anyone into apathy when it comes to rigorous recruitment and training for those who will do the job next time.