OMAHA- George Reed was 21 years old when he took a day's vacation from his MUD job in 1960 to work at the Douglas County elections office.

Reed liked what he was doing there so much that he hasn't missed working an election since. "We came in at two in the afternoon, we counted the ballots at the election place," said Reed, "and the ballots were all extra sizes, shapes, lengths. Cheap paper, toilet paper probably would have been better, but we worked with it."

Reed, now 84 years old, has worked during every election since 1960, and has counted ballots through 15 presidential elections.

"When I was in the service, I would come back and I would always plan election week for my leave time," said Reed, "The election commissioner had no problem with that, they just wanted me here."

George Reed stated that one of the greatest improvements he's seen over the years is voting access for the disabled. He said he's happy that the state has ensured that every person's vote is counted. "When I first started there was nothing there for people who were challenged. They had to go up steps, if they were in wheelchairs they just didn't make it. I'm glad that's something they've reconciled," stated Reed.

Despite the immense changes Nebraska elections have made over the years, George Reed said they've always strived to make sure every ballot counts.

"I would say Douglas County appreciates the election system they have. It is run good, it is run straight, and it's probably the most honest way of doing things that I know of," said Reed.

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