Poll Workers Are on the Front Lines of Democracy

Poll workers are essential. Not enough poll workers means less polling locations. It means longer lines and disenfranchisement for voters, especially those of marginalized communities. Poll workers tend to be older, but due to the pandemic, many older people do not feel comfortable going out and interacting with other people. This caused fear and panic among many boards of elections in different counties across the country, as well as voters, because they are worried about the lack of poll workers– especially in an election that will shape the future of this country. 

As a result, our generation has been stepping up and taking the initiative to be on the front lines of democracy by becoming poll workers. In fact, many young womxn are signing up to become poll workers. Young womxn are showing up to become poll workers because they claim they feel empowered when they do it, and enjoy being at the forefront of civic engagement. More womxn have also been taking on other prominent roles in this election, such as recruiting poll workers and training poll workers.

22-year-old Colleen Kemp became a poll worker in Nashville, Tennessee this year. She claimed that she wanted to volunteer because she heard stories about voters in southern states who were eligible to vote, but were turned away from their voting locations.

Another example of young womxn stepping up as poll workers is Cass Sanford from Kentucky. Sanford decided to become a poll worker in the general election this year because she witnessed firsthand the horrors of having only one polling location in Louisville during the primaries.

Aside from young womxn becoming poll workers, Ella Gantman, a sophomore from Princeton University who is passionate about democracy and civic engagement, decided to take another approach. Gantman collaborated with other students to come up with a way to help during the general election, and the result was the Poll Hero Project. This project is a nonpartisan group that was co-founded by Gantman, other Princeton University students, and Denver East High School students to help recruit college and high school students. The Poll Hero Project has now recruited over 28,000 young people to be poll workers. 

During a period of uncertainty and fears, our generation is stepping up and helping out in a time where we are needed the most. Our generation is helping our democratic process play out, and we are using our voice to spark change in our nation.

 

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4

Photos: Her Campus Media 

 

• 2020 Presidential Election
• american
• HCAU