Volunteer to Power The Polls
You may have already heard about the need for poll workers across the country, but if you haven’t yet considered this call to (often paid!) service, now is the time.
Predictions about how Americans will vote in the November general election have changed dramatically over the past few months. Instead of a predominantly vote-by-mail election, polls now show that 50 percent of voters specifically plan to vote in-person on election day, which could mean polling locations will need more poll workers than originally anticipated.
Veterans and military families understand, more than most, how to handle challenging circumstances. We know what it takes to make it to the end of a patrol, mission, or deployment, and we know what to do to ensure mission success. Serving as a poll worker ensures our fellow citizens can safely and effectively choose their next leaders. Stepping up in 2020 protects our elections, our democracy, and our nation, not just now, but for generations to come.
“Don’t thank me for my service. Vote and volunteer.”
What’s at stake?
“Poll workers can be the difference between a smooth election and long lines, mass confusion and miscounted ballots.” By volunteering to serve as a poll worker this election, student veterans can help protect the democracy we’ve sworn to defend.
I’m in! What’s next?
Sign up here! SVA is partnering with Power the Polls to recruit veterans, specifically younger veterans, to fill these gaps in our election infrastructure. Once you’re signed up, you’ll be waiting to hear from your local board of elections about options for training (which is usually paid), but you’ll also receive outreach from our partners to make sure you know what to expect.
Power the Polls is hosting a “Prep Rally” on Thursday October 15 at 8 p.m. ET, and you can text Veterans for American Ideals toll-free at (833) 344-0071 for help contacting your local Board of Elections.
How else can I help?
The best thing you can do is to help spread the word. If you are signed up to be a poll worker, you are a great standard-bearer for others to encourage them to join you; but even if you can’t be a poll worker this year, you can still play a big role in inspiring others to step up!
Send the link to this article to other student veterans, or put out the call on social media. Here’s some ready-made content to share:
Stand up and serve this #ElectionDay! Our service didn’t stop when we took off our uniform. Our country needs us! Our communities need us! Sign up to serve as a #pollworker in your neighborhood on November 3: https://www.powerthepolls.org/?source=StudentVets