Community Mourns Election Judge Who Died At Polling Place Tuesday

MCCULLOM LAKE, IL — Petter Culver, a longtime McHenry County election judge, died Tuesday night at a suburban village hall while serving his community, just as the polls closed and final ballots were being counted, according to a statement released by Joe Tirio, the clerk and recorder for McHenry County.

“Petter Culver passed away doing something he believed in deeply — serving his community as an election judge,” Tirio said. “He served because he understood something that too many take for granted: freedom is not self-sustaining. It requires tending. It requires people willing to do the hard and unglamorous work of making democracy real – not just in theory, but in practice, one voter at a time."

Tiri, in his statement, praised all election judges for their long hours and dedication.

"Our election judges report before dawn and work well past nightfall, fifteen hours or more staying at their post with little opportunity for a break. Most of our judges are past the age of 65, and yet they lift equipment, set up polling places, navigate complicated procedures, and do it all with patience and professionalism. They greet every voter, the grateful and the
grumbling alike, with dignity," Tirio said in Wednesday's statement. "They absorb frustration that is not theirs to bear and they do not waver. And while they represent their party, when you get to know them as I have, you know they are doing it for their country and community. They understand the gravity of the work, and the gift they have been sworn to protect."

He added that while election judges represent their parties, they do it for the community.

“They are the quiet guardians of the ballot box. They are the human infrastructure of liberty itself,” Tirio said. “They do not do this for pay or recognition. They do it because showing up matters. Petter’s service is among the most profoundly patriotic acts a private citizen can offer.”

And to Petter, who gave his last full measure of devotion not on a battlefield, but at a polling place in the community he loved, we say thank you. You did not just talk about democracy. You showed up for it, right until the very end," Tirio added. "Rest now, Petter. Your work here is done, and it was done well."