Lorén Westerfield on what it’s like to help run our elections

Consider becoming a poll worker in your community

Protecting our democracy sometimes takes big, bold actions at pivotal moments; it also demands consistent, dutiful, ongoing activities by everyday people. There are few roles in our democracy that represent the importance of dutiful work more than the job of poll worker. 

Our elections rely upon a network of 1 million poll workers across 117,000 polling locations to ensure that our elections run smoothly. They check-in voters, guide them through the process, and ensure that security protocols are followed. These are everyday people from our communities who go through rigorous training and are often paid for their work.

Today is National Poll Worker Recruitment Day, and our election system is in serious need of poll workers. A recent survey found that 43% of election officials are concerned that they will not be able to recruit enough poll workers for the 2024 election. 

Luckily, groups across America are mobilizing their communities to serve in this unique way. Interfaith America’s Faith in Elections Playbook guides religious organizations on how to recruit poll workers and has signed up over 5,000 poll workers so far. Protect Democracy is also partnering with Power the Polls - an organization that makes it easy to sign up to become a poll worker, no matter where you live. 

If you want to become a poll worker in your community, click here:

So… if you were to sign up, what’s it like to be a poll worker? 

We talked with someone who signed up to be a poll worker with Vet the Vote about what inspired them and what the experience is like. Lorén Westerfield is the deputy director of Vet the Vote and a former Captain in the United States Army. 

The Vet the Vote coalition has signed up over 139,000 poll workers for the 2024 election – calling service-minded Americans to serve our democracy. 

What inspired you to become a poll worker? In what ways did your service in the military impact your decision?

Ever since my US Government Class in high school, I have always been interested in the process of voting and how citizens are involved in our government. My mom always took me with her to vote when I was little, so I always looked forward to the age when I could vote too. This carried over into my desire to be a part of the voting process as a poll worker. My first time working as a poll worker was in college. At that time, I had been an Army ROTC cadet for over 3 years, we had just gone to war, and I wanted to better understand the system I was pledging my life to support and defend.

What does a day in the life of a poll worker look like? 

All poll workers are required to be trained before they are eligible to work an election, and generally have to be a registered voter in the county where they are applying to work. On the day of the election, a poll worker will arise bright and early and arrive at their assigned polling location to help with setup, usually by 6am. The polls generally open at 7am, and often there is a line of people wanting to vote before work, so the first hour or two will be very busy. 

At the polling station, workers can be assigned to various jobs. There is generally someone that is overall responsible for the management of the polling location, this will include picking up and dropping off the voting equipment, managing the other volunteers, and ensuring the station is run according to the local laws. Other election workers may be assigned as a greeter who welcomes voters and verifies their IDs. Others may be assigned as a ballot box clerk who ensures ballots are cast correctly.

What are some feelings that you would use to describe the day? 

For a first time poll worker, the start of the day is always exciting. Setting up the voting equipment, greeting the line of voters. It is a very long day, often from 6am - 8pm (with voting typically from 7am - 7pm), in the middle of the day volunteers may feel a bit tired, but every time you help someone to vote, it is a great feeling. The end of the day, you certainly feel accomplishment knowing that you have contributed to the safe and secure election in your community and in our democracy.

How did this experience impact the way you think about our election system and our democracy?

Participating in the process definitely impacted the way I think about our election system. Election workers are our neighbors and friends. The work they do is important, and can be tedious and time consuming. This is not a full time job for poll workers, they volunteer their time (sometimes paid) and give up doing other things in order to allow their fellow Americans to vote. There is so much that goes into every election, it is incredible what the poll workers are able to do every single time.

If people reading this want to become a poll worker, what do they need to know?

Elections are governed by the states and are run locally. First, check that you are registered to vote before the deadline, then apply to your local election office. Most election offices have a website where you can find a plethora of information about working as a poll worker, training, pay, voting dates, and more. 

Registering to vote, checking your voter registration status, and applying as a poll worker couldn’t be easier. Just click here. 

All the information is in one place, and will link you to your local jurisdiction by zip code.