House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

Our democracy works best when we all participate in it, and it is our duty to lend a hand in staffing polling places. I will be introducing legislation to provide county boards of elections with the option to recruit qualified individuals for poll worker service, similar to the way we currently summon individuals to report for jury duty, when polling places are facing a volunteer shortage. Giving our county boards of elections the ability to make sure polling places are fully staffed will not only increase civic engagement and ensure everyone takes part in our democratic process, it will make sure our elections are run in a more efficient manner. 

  

Far too often, the responsibility of staffing polling places is deferred to our older community members. According to the Election Assistance Commission, 47 percent of poll workers in 2020 are 61 years of age or older.1 During the 2020 election, many of these citizens chose to remain at home due to the health risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in volunteer shortages across the nation. These vacancies led to as many as 52 percent of local polling places not having enough poll workers to facilitate the 2020 election, resulting in longer lines and wait times.2 

  

We owe it to our neighbors and other community members who have consistently volunteered their time over the years to share the responsibility of administering elections. As elected representatives and fellow citizens, we can support communities that are unable to find poll workers and ensure that everyone’s voice is heard at the ballot box by creating this mechanism. Please join me in sponsoring this legislation. Your consideration is greatly appreciated.