Power the Polls is a nonpartisan nonprofit organization that’s recruiting the next generation of poll workers. National Poll Worker Recruitment Day, observed this year on Aug. 1, is somewhat of the organization’s Super Bowl. The annual nationwide day of action provides a unique opportunity for all generations to step up and play a crucial role in shaping the democratic process.
The effort to staff polling locations is especially critical ahead of the 2024 election, where voter turnout is expected to be high. Power the Polls—co-chaired by actor and activist Kerry Washington and former U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger—is hoping to connect over a million people with their local voting site.
Poll worker duties involve setting up polling stations, welcoming voters, checking voter registrations and distributing ballots. They help voters understand the voting process by showing them how to use voting machines and explaining procedures. Local election officials manage and train poll workers before Election Day. In many states, individuals as young as 16 or 17 can serve as poll workers, and the position is typically paid.
Marta Hanson, Power the Polls’ national program manager, was instrumental in building the nonprofit’s partnership coalitions in 2022 and continues the work ahead of the upcoming elections. Amidst her many responsibilities, Hanson spoke with Ms. two days before National Poll Worker Recruitment Day.
This interview has been lightly edited for clarity and accuracy.
Ayanna Lovelady: Tell us more about the mission and goals of Power the Polls.
Marta Hanson: Power the Polls is a national, nonpartisan initiative to recruit the next generation of poll workers to ensure safe, fair, accessible elections for all voters. We work with a broad coalition of partners, businesses and nonprofits to encourage their audiences and members to sign up as poll workers, because it’s really our vision that voting is a positive and empowering experience for every voter, and that every voter has people who look like them and speak their language when they show up at the polling place.
Election administrators need poll workers so elections can run smoothly.
Lovelady: Why is having enough poll workers especially important for the upcoming elections?
Hanson: It takes an average of 1 million poll workers nationwide, who are temporary employees, to staff polling places across the country during a general election in a presidential election year. Poll workers greet voters, check them in, send their ballots, troubleshoot voting machines, manage lines and hand out “I Voted” stickers at the end. The experience that a voter has largely depends on their interactions with poll workers.
When people think about elections, there’s a big focus on getting out the vote (GOTV). Even the best GOTV efforts are useless if there are no nearby polling places for voters.
One other thing to add is that when there aren’t enough poll workers, polling places have to be consolidated or closed. This means voters have to travel farther, which is especially difficult for those without reliable transportation or for whom traveling longer distances is a barrier to access. Polling place closures traditionally and disproportionately impact lower-income communities and communities of color. So, it really becomes an issue of access.
The last thing I’ll mention about access here at Power the Polls is that election administrators commonly request two types of poll workers: tech-savvy and bilingual. Bilingual poll workers can support voters who prefer to vote in a language other than English, ensuring that all voters feel supported at the polls. Tech-savvy poll workers don’t need to know coding; they just need to manage a tablet. Many election offices are shifting from old-fashioned poll books to modern tablets for checking in voters and managing the voting experience.
Lovelady: What initiatives has Power the Polls undertaken to recruit poll workers for the upcoming elections?
Hanson: Power the Polls is gearing up for National Poll Worker Recruitment Day on Aug. 1, which is our big national day of action.
The purpose of Poll Worker Recruitment Day, set by the Election Assistance Commission, is twofold. Number one, to recruit as many new poll workers as possible, and number two, to educate the broader public about the importance of poll workers, about the importance of this paid, temporary workforce of a million people it takes to staff our elections. So we are hard at work this week with our broad coalition of business and nonprofit partners. We have partners doing info sessions and webinars and poll worker recruitment pop ups and sending emails and posting on social media. And it’s also really an opportunity for anybody with any type of platform or audience to encourage their followers to contribute to democracy in this way.
Lovelady: How could we all pitch in and help recruit poll workers and make sure everything runs smoothly on Election Day?
Hanson: The number one call to action is to visit powerthepolls.org. When you visit our website, you type in your name, email, phone number and zip code, and then based on your zip we actually connect you to your local jurisdiction, wherever you are in the country, and direct you to your local poll worker application and send a couple of reminders to apply. So we’re really the central matchmaker or clearinghouse. Anywhere you are in the country, we will get you where you need to go locally so that you can become a poll worker in your community.
Serving as a poll worker is the single most effective nonpartisan action that any of us can take in support of our democracy.
Marta Hanson
Lovelady: You talked about partnerships and partners. How does Power the Polls collaborate with other organizations?
Hanson: We collaborate with many different organizations and function more as a coalition than a standalone organization. We connect with campus groups that mobilize students, such as the Campus Vote Project and Students Learn, Students Vote. We also connect with veterans organizations and public service organizations like the National Peace Corps Association and the “AmeriCorps Alumni Democracy Project”. Additionally, we engage with faith communities and are working closely with an interfaith network for democracy this year.
We also connect with many movement organizations, such as Voto Latino and NAACP, that work to engage specific communities to encourage voting. We also collaborate with various other organizations focused on different issues, whether it’s climate change, gun control, or other concerns. We help them integrate poll worker recruitment as a way for their members to get involved. It’s a broad coalition with many different groups.
Our coalition spans the political spectrum. We have groups that are very centrist, and many of our businesses are distinctly nonpartisan. Some partner organizations lean a bit more to the right or left. Even if there aren’t many ways our partners might typically collaborate, recruiting poll workers is a powerful way they can unite. It’s about committing to safe, fair and accessible elections, ensuring everyone can cast their ballot regardless of their opinions.
Lovelady: Recent reporting shows like a surge of excitement for young voters, especially from youth-led groups. Has this influenced your coworker recruitment efforts at all?
Hanson: Yes, it has. With a surge in turnout, a couple of things happen. First, the more people that turn out to vote, the more poll workers we will need, especially in high turnout elections. To prevent long lines, you need more poll workers and more polling locations.
The second point is that recent developments have impacted our work. However, who is at the top of the ticket doesn’t affect our work much. Poll workers focus on the election process itself, ensuring that elections run safely, smoothly, fairly, and accessible. This way, every voter, regardless of who they vote for, can cast their ballot.
But the third thing I want to say about youth engagement is that serving as a poll worker is a fantastic way for people who aren’t old enough to vote yet to still be involved. In most states, you can be 16 or 17 years old and serve as a paid poll worker. So, for 16- and 17-year-olds who want to be involved but can’t vote this year, they can be paid to staff a polling place and be part of the fun on election day.
Lovelady: If you can say any words of encouragement for anyone interested in applying for a poll worker position, what would it be?
Hanson: I would say serving as a poll worker is the single most effective nonpartisan action that any of us can take in support of our democracy. Plus, it’s fun. We hear from poll workers all the time that they really enjoy their experience and they want to serve again. And so if you’re looking for a really impactful, enjoyable opportunity to engage really locally in your community this year, sign up today.
Those interested, along with organizations wishing to promote National Poll Worker Recruitment Day, can visit Power the Polls to join.
Up next:
U.S. democracy is at a dangerous inflection point—from the demise of abortion rights, to a lack of pay equity and parental leave, to skyrocketing maternal mortality, and attacks on trans health. Left unchecked, these crises will lead to wider gaps in political participation and representation. For 50 years, Ms. has been forging feminist journalism—reporting, rebelling and truth-telling from the front-lines, championing the Equal Rights Amendment, and centering the stories of those most impacted. With all that’s at stake for equality, we are redoubling our commitment for the next 50 years. In turn, we need your help, Support Ms. today with a donation—any amount that is meaningful to you. For as little as $5 each month, you’ll receive the print magazine along with our e-newsletters, action alerts, and invitations to Ms. Studios events and podcasts. We are grateful for your loyalty and ferocity.
