Jim and Rita Kirk of Center Township work as Election Day volunteers Tuesday at Trinity Lutheran Church, one of the township's three polling locations. It was their first time volunteering at the polls.

CENTER TWP — Jim and Rita Kirk of Center Township worked the polls at the Trinity Lutheran Church on Tuesday. It was their first time doing that.

The retired couple decided to sign up when they saw that workers were needed.

Rita Kirk said voting in her family was always viewed as a right of utmost importance.

“We were brought up believing in this,” she said. “We both enjoyed (the volunteering experience.)”

Although she and her husband spent nearly 14 hours at the polling place, helping with check ins and machine assistance, “it doesn’t feel like it,” she said Tuesday evening. “I think my adrenaline was going.”

They expected turnout to be low for the primary election, but they were able to use that to their advantage.

“It was a light turnout, but a great time to learn,” Rita Kirk said.

She said she also volunteers her time at Butler Memorial Hospital and at her church.

They both plan on doing it again in the fall election on Nov. 4.