The intent of both events is to inspire civic engagement and raise awareness about the critical role election officials and poll workers play
WASHINGTON, D.C. – With the 2024 elections officially underway, the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) today recognized January 30, 2024, as Help America Vote Day. This national day of action connects election officials across the U.S. to address the need for poll workers, inspire greater civic engagement and volunteerism, and ensure that our elections remain safe, secure, accessible, and transparent in 2024 and beyond.
EAC Chairwoman Christy McCormick, Vice Chair Ben Hovland, Commissioner Donald Palmer and Commissioner Thomas Hicks issued the following joint statement:
"In the over 20 years since the passage of the Help America Vote Act there have been seismic improvements in election administration and to the elections infrastructure writ large. Throughout this time, poll workers remain a fundamental aspect of administering our elections and ensuring that the electoral process remains safe and secure. Help America Vote Day helps to raise awareness about the need for poll workers and helps shine a light on the voter education that every election official provides as they serve their communities. The EAC hopes to encourage Americans to become poll workers and meaningfully engage with our elections. Help America Vote Day and similar efforts have resulted in election offices from across the country participating; raising awareness of their needs for elections workers as well as information on how eligible Americans can participate. We are hopeful this year’s event will once again produce the overwhelmingly positive results and look forward to continuing to support the amazing work of local and state election offices."
While the specific duties and compensation for poll workers 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.
Millions of Americans, including many voters with disabilities, will be casting a ballot between now and November 2024. It is crucial that states and localities have an adequate number of poll workers to staff polling places on and before Election Day. The work that poll workers do ensures voters receive the assistance they need at the polls, reduce the potential for long lines or congestion and help provide a positive and smooth voting experience for all voters.
To help prepare election officials for the upcoming election season, the EAC is also today hosting the 2024 Elections Summit at the University of Maryland. During the meeting, election officials and other key stakeholders are joining the EAC Commissioners for in-depth panel discussions ahead of the 2024 elections on topics including confidence in elections, election security, accessible voting, challenges for new election officials, and communicating about elections.
As the 2024 primary elections officially get underway, the EAC Commissioners issued the following statement:
"As the 2024 election year begins in earnest, the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) will continue its work supporting state and local election offices across the country as they execute elections all year – from primary elections through the general election this November. As the federally-designated resource and official clearinghouse for information on election administration, the EAC Commissioners will continue making themselves available to media, the public, and other interested parties throughout this important election year. Key to the mission of the EAC is ensuring that elections remain safe, secure, accessible, and transparent and that election workers are trained and ready for Election Day."
In the coming months the EAC will hold several media briefings and make content and resources available to the public. For more information on Help America Vote Day and how to become an election worker please visit HelpAmericaVote.gov or your local election office.
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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.