Early Morning Routine of Graceann Toberman
Graceann Toberman rose from her slumber at the early hour of 3:50 a.m. on Tuesday, as the sky above her expansive 120-acre farm in southern Wisconsin remained shrouded in darkness. Outside, the animals were peacefully sleeping, and the only sound breaking the silence was the gentle flapping of the American flag in the brisk wind. The day ahead was filled with tasks that awaited her attention.
- Feed the cattle.
- Feed the chickens.
- Inspect the electric fence to ensure that the pesky deer hadn’t knocked it over again.
And once those essential chores were completed, she would need to make her way to the town hall in Magnolia to oversee the presidential election. Ms. Toberman, now 61 years old, has been a dedicated public servant for the past 21 years, serving as one of the over 1,800 municipal clerks across Wisconsin—the state with the highest number of local election officials in the nation. In the quaint rural farming community of Magnolia, with a population of just 734 residents, she has been the trusted figure in charge of elections, ensuring that ballots are counted, voters are registered, and the electoral process runs smoothly.
“I think we’re all prepared,” she commented, clad in jeans and rubber boots, as she carried heavy buckets of feed outside her chicken coop just before 5 a.m. This was one of her final tasks before she would change into more formal attire and drive into town to fulfill her election duties. “I try not to find myself in a mad dash,” she added with a sense of calm determination.
Ms. Toberman, diligently hauling buckets of feed in her chicken coop on Tuesday morning, exemplifies the dedication and commitment required to balance rural life with civic responsibility.
