Established in 2020, the goal of the event is to raise awareness about the importance of poll workers and inspire Americans to play a role in strengthening our electoral process
Washington, DC – As the nation’s attention turns toward the 2024 elections, the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) today recognized August 23, 2023, as the third annual National Poll Worker Recruitment Day. Established in 2020, the event aims to address the ongoing shortage of poll workers, inspire greater civic engagement and volunteerism, and help ensure secure, accessible, and accurate elections in 2023 and beyond.
To learn more about National Poll Worker Recruitment Day, visit HelpAmericaVote.gov. This webpage features a lookup tool with links to state and local applications and information and requirements for election workers.
“Poll workers play an integral role in our electoral process and are crucial to the success of elections. Becoming a poll worker is one of the most meaningful ways Americans can do their part to serve their communities,” said EAC Chairwoman Christy McCormick. “With National Poll Worker Recruitment Day, the EAC hopes to assist state and local election officials with their efforts to recruitment efforts and engage with new generations of election workers.”
While specific duties and compensation vary depending on location, most jurisdictions task election workers with setting up and preparing the polling location, welcoming voters, verifying voter registrations, and issuing ballots. Poll workers also help ensure voters understand the voting process by demonstrating how to use voting equipment and explaining voting procedures. Election staff and poll workers are overseen by local election authorities, which also provide training in advance of Election Day.
“Poll worker shortages can have significant consequences on our elections, including longer lines, fewer polling locations, and confusion at the polls. Poll workers ensure that our democracy can function properly,” said EAC Vice Chair Benjamin Hovland. “Poll workers are responsible for guiding voters through the voting process and relaying the necessary information to make our elections accessible and secure. We encourage those who are willing and able to sign up to help America vote.”
Even as some states expanded vote-by-mail and absentee voting options, millions of Americans desire in-person voting options to cast a ballot. Having an adequate number of poll workers to staff polling places on and before Election Day provides voters with the assistance they may need and helps provide a positive and smooth voting experience for all.
National Poll Worker Recruitment Day is an example of positive civic engagement in elections with the goal of encouraging potential poll workers to sign up to Help America Vote.
###
The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) was established by the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA). It is an independent, bipartisan commission charged with ensuring secure, accurate, and accessible elections by developing guidance to meet HAVA requirements, adopting voluntary voting system guidelines, and serving as a national clearinghouse of information on election administration. The EAC also accredits testing laboratories and certifies voting systems, as well as administers the use of HAVA funds. For more information, visit www.eac.gov.
EAC Contact: Kristen Muthig
Phone: 202-897-9285
Email: [email protected]