Santa at the Northeast poll on election day

Although Christmas was more than a month away, Santa Claus spent Nov. 8 at the Northeast poll.

Just inside the door to the polling room at Northeast High School on election day, 58-year-old Glen Heald sat in a chair against the wall. He wore all red clothing, including red suspenders and a red hat with “SC” above the bill.

“Sorry, I got a quick question,” a woman holding a pink slip of paper said to Heald. “I just need to make sure there’s nothing else I need to fill out on this top part.”

“Looks great,” Heald responded, before directing another person to the nearest restroom.

About an hour before the polls closed, Heald said he’d been a poll monitor at the high school for the Bibb County Republican party since 6:40 a.m.

Twelve hours is a long time, said Heald, a professional Santa Claus for the last 14 Christmases, and a supporter of Republican president-elect Donald Trump. Heald said he’s not likely to be a poll monitor again.

“I actually am seeing a lot of friends and enjoying it,” Heald said. “But I could have been surfing the net or answering requests for my services as Santa Claus.”

This story was originally published November 11, 2016 at 8:26 PM with the headline "Santa at the Northeast poll on election day."