Established by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, National Poll Worker Recruitment Day is a day of action with the goal of encouraging potential poll workers to sign up to Help America Vote in 2020. Even though the day has passed, local election officials may still need your help. Use the tool below for information on signing up in your community.
If you are interested in signing up, or have signed up, to be a poll worker but haven't heard from your local election office please be aware that some jurisdictions have enough volunteers and others do not. Please be patient as they may still need your help and need some extra time to respond to you as election officials are working diligently preparing for the upcoming election.
We are appreciative to workelections.com for providing a majority of data for this lookup tool. If you are an election official, and the information for your jurisdiction needs to be updated, please email the EAC at helpamericavote@eac.gov.
How to sign up in your community?
Each state recruits poll workers differently. Typically signing up to be a poll worker is done with your local election office. In some places this is a county election office but it may also be a registrar or clerk at the county or local level.
About National Poll Worker Recruitment Day
National Poll Worker Recruitment Day is a national awareness day established by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission to encourage people to help America vote by serving as poll workers.
By encouraging more people to become poll workers in their communities, National Poll Worker Recruitment Day aims to address the critical shortage of poll workers, strengthen our democracy, inspire greater civic engagement and volunteerism, and help ensure free and fair elections in November and beyond.
What is a poll worker? Why should I sign up?
Amid COVID-19, America is facing a critical shortage of poll workers. Even as many states expand access to vote-by-mail and absentee voting options, millions of Americans – especially voters with disabilities and those who lack reliable mail service – will continue to rely on in-person voting to cast a ballot.
Most poll workers have traditionally been over the age of 61, making them especially vulnerable to complications if they contract COVID-19. This has resulted in a critical need for poll workers who are willing and able to assist with the administration of in-person voting on and before Election Day.
Poll workers are critical to the success of an election. Having an adequate number of poll workers to staff polling places on and before Election Day can ensure voters receive the assistance they need at the polls and can help provide a positive and smooth voting experience for all. By signing up to be a poll worker, you can Help America Vote.
While specific duties and compensation vary depending on location, poll workers are the face of the election office during voting. Most jurisdictions task election workers with setting up and preparing the polling location, welcoming voters, verifying voter registrations, and issuing ballots. Poll workers also help ensure voters understand the voting process by demonstrating how to use voting equipment and explaining voting procedures.
How to partner and get involved with National Poll Worker Recruitment Day
Organizations and companies can support National Poll Worker Recruitment Day by spreading the word, encouraging employees to participate, and offering employees time off to volunteer as poll workers.
Please use our toolkit with resources, graphics and sample social media posts to help promote National Poll Worker Recruitment Day.
Participating organizations will receive toolkits with messaging, social media guidance, and ideas for activities to help raise awareness in their communities. Providing volunteer opportunities has been shown to improve employee morale and well-being, and even reduce sick leave.
Signing on as a National Poll Worker Recruitment Day supporter is a commitment and requires complying with all state laws. If your organization is interested in being a supporter of National Poll Worker Recruitment Day please fill out this form and send it to helpamericavote@eac.gov.
Resources for Election Officials
The EAC has compiled a variety of resources election officials can use as they recruit poll workers and plan for Election Day. If you have materials you would like added to these resources please email clearinghouse@eac.gov.