Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 19, 1992 TAG: 9203190354
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: NANCY BELL SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
After helping on Election Day at the precincts and filling in at the registrar's office when it was short-staffed, Painter recently was appointed Roanoke's voter registrar.
Painter, a resident of the Williamson Road community for 30 years, went to work as a secretary for a manufacturing company one week after graduating from William Fleming High School in 1957.
She left the job market for 20 years to raise a family and then took a series of part-time jobs with the registrar's office. In 1981 she was appointed assistant registrar.
For 10 years she shadowed former registrars Audrey Franklin and Sharon Carrington, learning much about the job. In January, the job became Painter's when Carrington resigned.
"You never really know a job until you get into it," she said. "I've been here 10 years, and I still learn new things every day."
As voter registrar, Painter's duties vary. Her goal is to increase voter registration, and she has a plan to accomplish that.
Painter is establishing more voter registration sites than the city has had by increasing to 24 the number of locations. While this is only a slight increase over the 20 required by law, Painter said each location will be crucial in registering voters by making registration more convenient, particularly in areas of low voter turnout.
The registrar's staff will continue to visit high schools to register eligible student voters. Special registration times also are held at shopping centers and libraries to make registering to vote "a quick and easy process."
In addition to registering voters, Painter manages a three-person staff and works with the public on questions of voter eligibility. She spends much time on a computer that links her to the State Board of Elections, learning a system that recently has been upgraded.
Painter also is responsible for overseeing the filing by candidates for local office and for acting as liaison between candidates and the state board.
"So much of the information changes," Painter explained. "There's a lot of reading - research." The new registrar spends many weekend hours at the office assembling information that has changed since last year.
Painter has had her share of personal struggles. Colon cancer nearly took her life four years ago. "I feel like a very blessed, fortunate person so far as career, family life - my health." Despite the long hours she spends in the new job, Painter said, "I love it. It's exciting."
When she's not working, Painter enjoys traveling to Norfolk to visit a son and his family. She also collects antiques and likes to visit flea markets with her husband, William, a retired Norfolk Southern Corp. employee.
Painter said she is proud of Roanoke and is honored to be its voter registrar. "I raised my three children here. I think Roanoke is a wonderful city."
NOTE: SEE MICRO FICHE FOR CHART
by CNB