(Washington, DC): Today, with less than 65 days until the General Election, When We All Vote announced a new partnership with Power to the Polls, a new national initiative focused on recruiting 250,000 poll workers. In a video message, volunteers who have already stepped up to serve as poll workers in their communities encourage others to join them and help ensure this year’s elections are fair, safe and accessible for every voter.
Election officials across the country have reported critical shortages of poll workers amid the Covid-19 pandemic, and the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) declared September 1 as National Poll Worker Recruitment Day to encourage more people to sign up to help during the General Election.
Today, When We All Vote partners, Co-Chairs, ambassadors and supporters are encouraging everyone who can to volunteer and sign up HEREto be a poll worker in their communities.
According to the EAC, 58 percent of poll workers deployed during the 2018 midterms were 61 and older, an age group that may be at higher risk for more serious complications from Covid-19. To ensure that polling places stay open and that every vote is counted on Election Day, When We All Vote is not only recruiting poll workers, but also ensuring voters have the critical resources and information they need to make a plan to vote early in-person or by mail through the Voter Resources Hub.
A full transcript of the video is below. Press interested in more information or coordinating interviews should email press@whenweallvote.org.
TRANSCRIPT:
JAYVONNE: Poll workers are very important because they help facilitate the voting process.
LAUREN: Most individuals who work elections are over the age of 65. With the Covid-19 pandemic, that is a population that is incredibly vulnerable. That is why I signed up and received training to become a poll worker.
BRITTNY: I signed up to be a poll worker, my mom actually brought it to my attention. She presented it to me letting me know that it’d be a great opportunity to make some quick extra money as well as to get to know the voting system. And once I got all that information, I turned it right over to Ty and I said, “Hey do you want to do the election with me?”
LAUREN: As a poll worker, it was my job to ensure everyone coming to vote was registered, and received the correct ballot.
ARTHUR: We go in and set up all the equipment to make sure when voters come the next day, their experience is as pleasant as possible.
ARTHUR: Why should you become a poll worker? One, it’s a great way to give back to your community, and it’s also a great way to see democracy in action.
TYLER: I would encourage more young people to come out and work the election polls, and bring your friends.
BRITTNY: It makes the time go by faster.
TYLER: It makes a difference when poll workers reflect the communities in which they serve.
ABOUT When We All Vote:
When We All Vote is a national, nonpartisan nonprofit that brings together citizens, institutions, brands, and organizations to increase participation in every election. Launched by Michelle Obama, the organization is committed to closing the race and age voting gap and empowering all eligible voters to cast their ballot by harnessing grassroots energy, establishing strategic partnerships, and implementing digital organizing strategies, with the ultimate goal of changing the culture around voting.
Michelle Obama is joined in this effort by fellow Co-Chairs Tom Hanks, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Janelle Monáe, Chris Paul, Faith Hill, Selena Gomez, Liza Koshy, Megan Rapinoe, Shonda Rhimes, Tracee Ellis Ross, Kerry Washington, and Rita Wilson.
In the leadup to the 2018 Midterm Elections, When We All Vote organized over 2,500 local voter registration events across the country, engaged 200 million Americans online about the significance of voting, and texted nearly four million voters the resources to register and get out to vote.
In 2020, When We All Vote is helping to lead in voter education, registration and volunteer engagement. In response to COVID-19, When We All Vote is leading the fight for fair and safe elections by supporting the expansion of access to vote-by-mail, early in-person voting and online voter registration so every American can make their voices heard on Election Day.
About Power to the Polls:
Power the Polls is a first-of-its-kind initiative to recruit poll workers to ensure a safe, fair election for all voters.
###