In a patriotic nudge ahead of the presidential elections this November, Georgia is bolstering its ranks of poll workers through a partnership with the nonpartisan coalition Power the Polls, a collective effort to keep democracy's gears greased and running smoothly. Power the Polls, formed in the thick of the 2020 pandemic, casts a wide net for volunteers to ensure each polling location is a well-oiled machine come election day. According to WABE's coverage, the group’s mission is to staff every jurisdiction in Georgia with a surplus of eager helpers.
National Poll Worker Recruitment Day has rolled out the red carpet for U.S. citizens wanting to take part, and Marta Hanson, the national program manager for Power the Polls, emphasized in a WABE interview that the need remains unchanged despite the constantly shifting political landscape, adding, "voters will need a place to go during early voting or on election day," an influx of about one million poll workers nationwide is needed just to staff a presidential election, to handle tasks as critical as checking in voters and as simple yet emblematic as handing out the iconic 'I Voted' stickers.
Prospective poll workers in Georgia, like those across the nation, undergo extensive training through local election offices to be fully prepped for any curveballs election day might pitch. Shantell Black, Gwinnett County’s assistant elections supervisor, underscored in an interview with WABE the importance of training, "If you’re not informed or if you’re not trained on something, you almost don’t know how to react," pointing to the training as essential for readiness in the face of unpredicted events that can arise.
The call to service is resonating with diverse groups in Gwinnett, the state's second-largest county, the district's push for 2,500 volunteers being underscored by the growing participation of Gen Z, Black highlighted; "The youth is our future, and our seniors bring the experience and knowledge," she told WABE, pointing out the opportunity for multigenerational collaboration and engagement in democracy. Georgia’s embrace of youth extends further, inviting high school students as young as 16 to partake in the electoral process as volunteers, even before they cast their own ballots.
In a reflection of both the urgency and community spirit infusing this initiative, data from Power the Polls has identified seven counties including DeKalb, Lowndes, and Lincoln that are in dire need of additional volunteers as November 5 looms closer. Hanson encapsulated the initiative's essence, alluding to the fact that serving as a poll worker is more than just a role, but an act of unity, stating, "It is a wonderful way to meet your neighbors. It’s an opportunity to work really closely with people who have different political views than you," adding that above all, everyone agrees that," elections should run smoothly." Interested Georgians can find details on how to apply and contribute to their community's electoral infrastructure at WABE's website.
