10 days of action to protect democracy: action 1

 I'm excited to kick off this challenge today! For more information on this challenge click here. 

The Issue

We have all had to wait in long lines at the polls or at least seen it happen on the news. No one should have to wait hours to vote- not to mention that hourly employees can't afford to take that much time off, people with illnesses/disabilities are often unable to endure long lines, and polling places have closed their doors with hundreds still in line to cast a vote (they actually can't do this). 

58% of poll workers are over the age 60 and unable to work this election due to their elevated COVID risk, less poll workers = longer wait times. Combine this with projected record breaking voter turnout and we have a disaster on our hands. 

Action We Can Take

Poll workers are essential to make elections happen. They process voters, provide ballots, secure logistics, assist voters with disabilities, and everything else that ensures voters can vote. For today's action, sign up to be a poll worker in your state here.  

I’ll be working in D.C. and the process has been great. You are required to work election day and can opt in to volunteer for additional shifts during early voting. I had to attend a four hour training which, tbh the idea of doing a four hour government training was almost enough to get me to rescind my application, but the training was actually really engaging and hands-on and I learned so much about the inner workings of elections. There are managers and plenty of other volunteers on site on election day to make sure us n00bs don't mess anything up. My work offers Volunteer Time Off, which I will be using for this. 

Alternative Actions

If you have reasons you can’t volunteer for this in-person opportunity or if your state does not need more poll workers no fear - there are other ways to get involved too! 

1. Volunteer as a poll watcher: See requirements and next steps here. The RNC has recruited over 50,000 poll watchers, including many uniformed police, sheriffs, and military, and voting rights activists warn that this tactic targets minorities and will deter them from voting Let's even it out, yall.
2. Other election day volunteer opportunities: Sign up here to get matched with an opportunity in your area. All kinds of support is needed-  watchdogging social media, informing voters of their rights, poll watching, and more.

TL;DR 

Sign up to be a poll worker.

• Sign up to be a poll worker in your state here. 
• If your state doesn't need volunteers or you can't participate in this, consider signing up to be a poll watcher here here.
• Or sign up here for other election day opportunities.