> On voting day, there is an army of us temps working at polling places all over town from 6am until 10pm or later, for about $150.

That's generous. In Germany, the usual compensation for working 12-14 hours at a polling place is 30-50 € (35-57 $). Yet there are plenty volunteers (including me). Many like the idea of fulfilling some civic duty, especially one that's a one-day job instead of a long-term office.