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Did you know that there is a national shortage of poll workers, and we feel that shortage right here in Colorado County? Election workers are essential to ensuring that elections are a success. Poll workers can be the difference between a smooth election, long lines, or mass confusion.
Elections at heart are a people process. With each election, millions of Americans dedicate themselves to sustaining the backbone of democracy - our election process. In Colorado County it takes an average of 80 people to execute a proper election and that’s not on a Presidential election year.
Being a poll worker is a critical service to the public. The elections office said Colorado County is always looking for election officials (judges, alternative judges, clerks, bilingual clerks, student clerks).
Poll workers play such an important role in our elections, and we want to make sure poll workers reflect the communities in which they serve. What does it take? Commitment, training, and a l-o-n-g election day. Many times, all this is simply wrapped up in volunteering 2-4 days yearly.
In 2024, there is a particularly urgent need for new volunteers to step up to staff the polls so that everyone can vote and with confidence that their vote will be counted accurately. Having a list and a staff of trained alternate workers is crucial for elections. Poll workers are appointed in advance, so finding these hard-working individuals NOW is imperative.
Spending a day working at the polls could be one of the most impactful things you do next year to help protect democracy.
Student poll workers, 16-18 years of age are needed. The benefits of younger poll workers are undeniable. They bring enthusiasm, energy and familiarity and comfort with technology like electronic poll books and optical ballot scanners. It sparks an interest in voting and civic engagement at an early age that might last a lifetime. They also are more likely to remain poll workers for future elections. By pairing technological savvy high school students with longer serving precinct election officials, who have a better understanding of election processes, the county can provide the perfect combination of technological comfort and experience at the polls.
To be eligible to serve as a poll worker, one must be able to work from 5 a.m. - 9 p.m. on election day (hours vary), must be able to read and speak English, must be registered to vote in Colorado County, and must complete training and a criminal background check.
The duties of this position include setting up machines, poll books and other material at designated polling district, assisting voters with sign-in and verify signature, assisting voters in the operation of the electronic voting machine (if necessary), answering voter’s procedural questions, completing paperwork when necessary, and closing polls at the end of the day.
For more information, call the Colorado County Elections office at 979732-6860, your political party chair, or visit co.colorado. tx.us/page/colorado. Elections and review the “Get Involved” section.
