Article Summary –
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted poll worker recruitment in 2020, particularly affecting older Americans who traditionally fill these roles.
As the 2024 Election Day approaches, Pennsylvania still faces a shortage of poll workers, although the situation is not as dire as in 2020, with officials citing low pay and long hours as major deterrents for younger recruits.
Efforts to recruit younger poll workers are underway, with initiatives like allowing 17-year-olds to serve and targeted outreach at community events, but nationwide there remains a significant need for more poll workers to ensure elections run smoothly.
Four years ago, election administrators in Pennsylvania and nationwide were scrambling to recruit poll workers.
It was a challenging task during the early COVID-19 pandemic. Thousands of people died in November 2020, and hospitalizations were high.
Older Americans, who make up a large share of poll workers, were particularly affected by COVID-19. They preferred to stay home instead of facing large crowds on a contentious Election Day.
Now, as Election Day 2024 nears, officials report a shortage of poll workers, though it’s not as severe as in 2020.
“This is an ongoing problem, largely because many poll workers have been doing it for years, and it’s an older group,” said Philip Hensley-Robin, executive director of Common Cause Pennsylvania, a nonpartisan watchdog group running a statewide program to educate and protect voters.
About 45,000 poll workers are needed for 9,000 voting sites in Pennsylvania on Election Day. The state’s decentralized election system complicates tracking how many have signed up. Recruiters say many more are needed.
“We need poll workers,” said Philadelphia City Commissioner Lisa Deeley. “Poll workers are from your neighborhood. It’s neighbors helping neighbors to exercise their right to vote.”
Elections can’t run without poll workers, explained Marta Hanson, national program manager for Power the Polls. In Pennsylvania, bipartisan teams of poll workers handle everything from setting up machines to handing out “I voted” stickers.
“Serving as a poll worker is one of the most effective nonpartisan actions we can take to support democracy,” Hanson said. “Poll workers are the face of our elections.”
However, finding poll workers is increasingly difficult. Hensley-Robin noted that long hours and low pay deter younger people as older poll workers retire.
“We saw a generational shift in 2020,” Hanson said. “Many long-time poll workers are ready to pass the baton due to the demanding 16-hour days.”
Allegheny County successfully recruited thousands of poll workers this year by paying them, said spokesperson Abigail Gardner. By August, the county had recruited 4,800 workers but needed 2,000 more.
Philadelphia officials are recruiting younger people with an initiative that encourages 17-year-olds to serve as poll workers with permission from their principal and parent or guardian.
Hanson mentioned Power the Polls recently stationed recruiters at an Eagles practice in Philadelphia to reach younger people.
Nationwide, only 40% of the 1,800 jurisdictions monitored by Power the Polls have enough poll workers.
“About 40% of election administrators say they desperately need more poll workers,” Hanson said. “It will take about one million temporary poll workers nationwide to greet voters on Nov. 5.”
To learn more about becoming a poll worker, visit https://www.pa.gov/en/services/vote/apply-to-become-an-election-poll-worker.html.
—
Read More Pennsylvania News
