How to Become a Poll Worker

[FrodosNewPet]

How to Become a Poll Worker

https://www.thecut.com/2020/09/how-to-volunteer-as-a-poll-worker.html?utm_source=pocket-newtab

In perhaps no other presidential election has it been so crucial to vote, yet so logistically tricky to do so. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, health authorities largely discourage us from doing anything indoors and en masse, complicating in-person voting. But mail-in or absentee voting presents difficulties, too: The USPS has already warned that 46 states and D.C. have set unrealistic ballot request and return deadlines, and it cannot guarantee that ballots will make it back to election officials on time.

“Even under the best of circumstances, there are going to be things that go wrong” on Election Day, explains Myrna Pérez, director of the Brennan Center for Justice’s Voting Rights and Elections Program. This year, of course, poses new issues — including a critical shortage of poll workers in some locations.

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“Poll workers troubleshoot on Election Day,” says Pérez. “They help people sign in, they help explain the process, they work to try and resolve issues, they keep order at the polling places. They’re supposed to be making people feel good about the democratic process, and making people feel welcome when voting, and making sure that our robust and participatory democracy sets a welcome mat [out] for everybody eligible.”

The specifics of the job will vary by location, but in general, poll workers might help process absentee ballots; they might help set up polling places, check in voters, assist people with the voting machines, help collect and tabulate ballots, and break down polling sites at the end of the day. They answer questions and help people navigate the process. They’ll step in and help in the event of a technical difficulty — take, for instance, the 2018 midterm elections in New York City, where rain and high humidity engorged that year’s extra-long ballot, causing some rickety old scanners to jam, and leading to overcrowding and hours-long lines at the polls. NYC’s poll workers were critical to keeping voters moving along, collecting unscannable ballots in emergency ballot boxes — either feeding them through the machines once they had been fixed, or making sure they were included in a manual tally.

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Please sign up! Please help protect the election!

https://www.nass.org/can-i-vote/become-a-poll-worker

[True Blue American]

1. As a former poll worker

I checked to be sure my Precinct is covered. It is. The BOE has my County covered.

[Dorian Gray]

2. Oooh

How do you check that info?

I'm applying now.

[True Blue American]

4. I called the BOE.

Have checked with them to make sure my ballot request is there.

Having worked with them I can tell you they are a group of dedicated officials and in some Precincts they a really have a rough time.

This is why I do not put a lot of credit to cheating. There are too many safe guards built in.

You can also follow your ballot online to make sure it is counted.

Trump’s blathering is made up lies, so is the hysteria of cable news.

[Maeve]

3. Time is running short--help if you can!

I've worked the polls since 2008; it's a long day and not the best of pay, but you know that you have helped democracy work. Training is important and going on now, so apply asap!

[True Blue American]

5. It is hard

But really worth it to do your civic duty.

Thank you.

[DeminPennswoods]

6. It's a long day, but a lot of fun

A real live civics lesson.