Traits like eye and hair color often run in the family, but for the Klapes clan, public service does, too.
Rita and her sons Peter and Alex for years have all worked at the Oak Hill Middle School polling location to help voters during elections and will do so again on November 7.
“I always had a political bent,” said Peter, who was student government president when he attended Newton South and was always interested in civics and history. Now a 26-year-old law student, he’s a veteran election worker who has helped at the polls since he turned 18 in 2015. This November, he will act as warden and Rita and Alex as inspectors at the brothers’ middle school alma mater.
While Peter initially asked his mom and younger brother to work alongside him as fill-ins, the two enjoyed interacting with the public and decided to make it a family tradition.
“The first time I did it, I absolutely loved it,” recalled Alex.
The brothers particularly enjoyed it when one of their former Oak Hill teachers brought her classes to the polling place in the gym to watch democracy in action.
“It’s fun seeing the students’ eyes light up,” said Peter.
Given that Oak Hill is their old stomping ground, the family often sees familiar faces as they check people off on the official voting list and welcome them inside.
“It was fun seeing a lot of friends coming back from college just to vote,” said Peter.
Alex, who helps coach Newton South baseball and hockey, gets a kick out of seeing his 18-year-old players casting their first ballots.
The family also staffed the Oak Hill polling location through the pandemic.
“During Covid, working the election was such a welcome retreat from not being out in the community,” recalled Peter. “It was great to be able to see people … there were so many people who still came out to vote.”
All three said they felt comfortable with the health and safety measures the city put into place to protect them and the public.
“We’re lucky to have a great staff at the city clerk’s office” that check in on them and offer effective training, Peter said.
Rita added that working with family makes the job easier as they know each other so well.
One of the highlights of the long day, which goes from 6AM to after 9PM, is being able eat a big meal together while doing their jobs.
However, there is one point of contention, Peter admits.
“We do argue about where we should order from,” he said.