Becvar and Nevins are co-publishers of The Fulcrum. Becvar is executive director of the Bridge Alliance Education Fund, and Nevins is the organization’s co-founder and board chairman.
Are you one of the many Americans concerned about the state of our democracy and the critical importance of having fair and trusted elections this November? If so, you can make a difference by signing up to become a poll worker.
We’ll make it easy for you to get involved.
We are working closely with Power the Polls, an organization that has mobilized nearly 1 million people across all 50 states who want to support elections as poll workers (sometimes called temporary election workers or election judges) in their communities since 2020.
Poll workers are the welcoming face of our elections. They’re the first to show up during early voting or on Election Day, checking in voters, distributing ballots, handing out “I voted” stickers, and ensuring everything runs smoothly. Poll workers answer voter questions, provide assistance to those who need it and most importantly, ensure voting is a positive, empowering experience for every voter.
There’s another strong incentive for becoming a poll worker: You can often get paid for your work! The amount varies by location, but it can be as much as $200 — or even double that — for a day.
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Serving as a poll worker is also a great way for younger people to get involved, too. Most states allow 16- and 17-year-olds to serve as poll workers and election administrators.
If our democracy is important to you, sign up now. Democracy isn’t “someone else’s” responsibility. Poll workers are essential in ensuring that elections are run smoothly and accurately. Without enough poll workers, polling locations may face long lines, errors and delays, which can discourage voters and undermine confidence in the electoral process. By becoming a poll worker, you directly contribute to the efficiency and integrity of our elections.
The time is now!
We need hundreds of thousands of people to step up. Those interested will complete an application with their local election office, be selected and trained, and commit to showing up at their local rec center, school, or sports arena to help their neighbors vote in November.
We need your help. Take action for our democratic republic by signing up to be a poll worker today. Democracy is not a spectator sport. Together, we can and must keep our elections — and our democracy — strong.