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Today, in states all across the nation, election officials are working hard to prepare for upcoming elections. As more and more people turn out to vote—and are voting in person again—election officials like us are continually in need of poll workers. With weeks to go until the general election, election workers need more people—especially young people—to sign up to be a poll worker so we can ensure every polling location is properly staffed and ready to serve voters this fall.
As secretaries of state responsible for guaranteeing that our elections are safe and fair, we can unequivocally state that poll workers are our most valuable asset in ensuring the integrity of America's system of self-governance. Though it may not seem like the most glamorous job, poll workers are the heroes of our democracy.
Poll workers help make sure our elections are honest and orderly. They assist first-time voters and veterans alike in casting their ballots, regardless of party affiliation. They make sure that technology functions properly. And their presence minimizes lines and delays and prevents the closure of polling locations due to understaffing.
Poll worker shortages disproportionately affect low-income and immigrant communities that often have fewer resources and face more barriers to voting. There have been polling locations in the U.S. that were forced to completely close due to poll worker shortages. That is bad for our country and for the sanctity of our political process. Our democracy simply cannot survive without robust and active citizen participation. We need well-trained poll workers for every election—federal, statewide, and local.
Additionally, poll workers are instrumental in maintaining access to safe in-person voting. This is critical for communities without reliable access to mail service, voters with disabilities, those who need language assistance, and voters who simply want to cast their ballot in person as they always have.
The last time you voted at your local polling place, you may have noticed a collection of seniors greeting voters, handing out ballots, and operating voting machines. That is because the national average age of a poll worker in the United States is 72. These are parents, grandparents, neighbors, and retired teachers. As the nation continues to navigate COVID-19, older folks are beginning to step back. It is time for a new generation of Americans to join their ranks.
We are both proud to be working in partnership with Power the Polls, a nonpartisan initiative to recruit a new wave of younger, more diverse poll workers who can help ensure fair access to the ballot box now and in the future. During the 2020 election cycle, the effort helped recruit more than 700,000 potential poll workers across all 50 states and the District of Columbia and connected them directly to their state and local election officials to get signed up, trained, and placed. As a result, polling places that closed in the primaries due to poll worker shortages stayed open during the general election.
This year, we need to continue that effort. We need people to sign up again. Serving as a poll worker is a genuinely rewarding experience. Not only do you have the opportunity to witness the democratic process up close and personal, but you have the added satisfaction of knowing you are playing a vital role in your community and helping your neighbors. If you have ever considered becoming a poll worker, we encourage you to get involved in the upcoming elections. And if the idea of serving as a poll worker is new to you, take some time to learn more about the process and the role you can play in helping our elections run smoothly. Power the Polls is a good place to start.
It is more important than ever that Americans of all backgrounds and political stripes embrace their role in our democracy by joining the ranks of America's election poll workers.
This is not a Republican or Democratic responsibility. It is an American responsibility. It is your responsibility. Will you answer the call?
Jocelyn Benson is the Secretary of State of Michigan. Frank LaRose is the Secretary of State of Ohio.
The views expressed in this article are the writer's own.
