When COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic in March, no one could have predicted the impact this disease would have on our daily lives and the hundreds of thousands of lives that would be lost. Add to that the fact that the most important election of our lifetime (open in new tab) will take place on November 3, 2020, and things get even more complicated. For example, how can people safely get to the polls to vote, and who should work shifts at the polls to ensure a free and fair election? (opens in new tab)

According to the Pew Research Center, in the 2018 election, about 58 percent of U.S. poll workers were 61 or older, and 27 percent of them were 70 or older (opens in new tab). This year, seniors are among the groups most at risk of dying from COVID-19 infection and cannot safely work in polling places. That's why a coalition of nonprofits, civic action groups, and brands came together to form Power the Polls (opens in new tab)."

Jasmine Clay, a 29-year-old woman from Springfield, Virginia, is one of the more than 400,000 people Power the Polls has recruited since July 2020. When one of her friends shared a Power the Polls Instagram (opens in new tab) post, it sparked her interest. Clay liked the idea of getting involved with her community, but she had another motivation: her mother, who is currently taking care of her elderly mother (Clay's grandmother), was a poll worker in the last election cycle. Eventually, Clay decided to fill his mother's void by registering.

"Being a poll worker is a great way to play a small role in our democracy," Clay says.

"There are a lot of things we can't control, but what we can control is taking the proper steps to ensure our safety on Election Day."

One of the most common misconceptions about poll watchers is that they are volunteers. Not only are poll watchers paid, but this year some employers are paying their employees (open in new tab) to sign up. While responsibilities vary from place to place, standard poll worker duties include greeting voters as they arrive, verifying their name and address to make sure they are in the system, handing out election cards, giving directions on where to go, processing completed ballots through the machines, and, of course, after the polls close, the coveted This includes handing out the coveted "I voted" sticker.

"People love the stickers," Clay laughs. [In Washington, D.C., Georgia (opens in new tab), Kentucky, and elsewhere, voters, especially low-income voters and marginalized voters of color, stood in long lines and were disenfranchised Power the Polls helped people take the first step to register as poll workers and then connect them with their local Board of Elections to complete the training process. During the training period, the organization will continue to guide poll workers through election materials and reminders about deadlines. [Erica Soto-Lamb, co-founder of Power the Polls and vice president of social impact strategy for Comedy Central and MTV, said, "It feels good to march, call, and donate to an organization you believe in. But it's another really meaningful way to be part of the democratic system and ensure that elections are safe and fair for everyone in your community and neighborhood." This is really an opportunity to act locally, even as we are thinking nationally about what elections mean and how to make them fair for everyone."

Despite the overwhelming number of applications, Power the Polls recognizes that a significant number of people may not complete the process to become a poll manager. Therefore, the organization will continue to be transparent about the time required for this job (or the number of days for early voting), along with the safety measures (social distancing, provision of personal protective equipment, etc.) for COVID-19 to be conducted at the polling place. In addition, once a person is registered as a poll worker, he or she will remain in the system and will likely participate in the important local elections of 2021. According to Soto Lam, many poll watchers find the job so effective that there is usually a high return rate.

As for specific registration requirements, qualifications for poll watchers vary from state to state, but in some areas they need only be at least 16 years old. Most people can sign up from a segregated location, not necessarily where they are registered to vote, and may choose to be located in their county or where the need for poll workers is greatest. Multilingual speakers are further encouraged to register, but being young, healthy, and willing to make a difference is most important.

"It's a wild thing that older people have been doing for years," Clay says. 'I encourage people my age to join. If you can stand (10 to 12 hours) for a concert or something else, you can absolutely do this. It's giving someone the right to vote. That is very powerful."

If you are interested in becoming a poll worker, sign up here (opens in new tab).