On January 30th, the nation will observe National Help America Vote Day, a special day that aims to raise awareness about the significance of poll workers and their crucial role in the electoral process. Counties throughout Pennsylvania are eagerly anticipating a strong showing of poll workers for the upcoming primary election in April.
As the primary elections draw near, officials are eager to attract and engage a younger demographic to serve as poll workers.
Pennsylvania Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt expressed his gratitude towards the dedicated poll workers who were honored during a special event held on Tuesday.
In an interview, Schmidt highlighted the Shapiro administration’s desire to encourage greater participation from young individuals as poll workers during the upcoming primary election.
“There has been a significant effort to attract and engage younger individuals to take on the responsibility of serving as poll workers.” At the age of 17, individuals have the opportunity to volunteer, even before they are eligible to vote. “You need permission from your principles and your parents and there are some other qualifications you need to meet before you turn 18 to serve,” Schmidt explained.
Schmidt emphasizes that participating in elections not only fulfills your civic duty, but also provides valuable insights into the election process, especially for young individuals.
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In Pennsylvania, individuals have the opportunity to serve as poll workers. To become a poll worker, individuals who are 18 years or older must be registered in the county where they intend to work. Additionally, they are required to attend at least one training session per election period.
The Bureau of Elections in Luzerne County is working diligently to recruit a minimum of 1000 poll workers. This dedicated team will provide crucial support to the approximately 195,000 registered voters spread across the county.
Eryn Harvey, the director of the Bureau of Elections for Luzerne County, emphasizes the crucial role of poll workers on election days. According to Harvey, these individuals are often the unsung heroes who deserve recognition and appreciation for their invaluable contributions.
The schedule for this commitment begins bright and early, starting at nearly 6 in the morning and concluding at 8:00 in the evening once all tasks are completed. “It is undoubtedly a challenge and a significant time commitment, but we truly appreciate all those who make this commitment every election year,” Harvey expressed.
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