Commentary: Salute our frontline heroes of democracy

As the nation votes, it’s easy to focus on candidates, policies and outcomes of the elections. Yet, behind every successful election are millions of dedicated elections professionals and poll workers who make democracy possible. They are often volunteers who rise to the occasion to serve their communities, ensuring that every eligible voter has the opportunity to make their voice heard.

Simply put, they play a pivotal role in upholding the fabric of democracy through their dedication, resilience and service to their communities.

Our election professionals and volunteer poll workers are a shining example of nonpartisan cooperation that puts our democracy and country first. They come together each election cycle to help their community vote. As we reflect on the importance of free and fair elections, let’s take a moment to honor and thank those who serve behind the scenes, ensuring that our voices are heard and our democracy remains strong.

Election Professionals

With early voting in full swing across the country, and record early turnout across states, this is an incredibly busy and exciting time for the elections community.

As a former election administrator and the founding executive director at the Partnership for Large Election Jurisdictions, I know firsthand that many election offices are navigating their share of operational challenges. In the past few years, professional election administrators have faced and overcome unprecedented obstacles, including the COVID-19 global health pandemic, personnel changes, extreme weather events, budget cuts, an increase in violent threats and a more public profile overall.

Yet the dedicated local election administrators who choose to stay in this profession have been working for months — even years — to maintain accurate voter rolls, secure voting locations, thoroughly test voting equipment, enhance security protocols, train their permanent and temporary labor force on the latest rules and regulations, and educate voters before they head to the polls.

Poll Workers

Nearly 1 million temporary poll workers have already been onboarded by local election offices across the country to serve as the first line of support for our election administrators and voters. From students to veterans, people of faith to civic leaders, everyday Americans from all walks of life will be on the frontlines of democracy. These everyday Americans are signing up to work extended hours to make voting smooth and accessible for all voters in their community.

Over 150 million eligible voters will cast their ballot in the span of a few weeks, and these election heroes make it possible. They will handle everything from setting up voting equipment, to greeting and checking in eligible voters, to answering voter questions, to assisting voters with special needs, to ensuring compliance with changing election laws … all while ensuring all voters feel welcome throughout the process.

And, while a 16-hour shift on Election Day is no small feat, poll workers will show up and work with their peers regardless of background, age or political affiliation, because they know their communities are counting on them.

Showing Your Support

Monday, the day before Election Day, marks Election Hero Day. This is a busy time, but also a worthy time to celebrate the contributions of all those who make our elections possible. This Election Hero Day, both election administrators and poll workers deserve our profound gratitude for the critical role they play in maintaining the integrity of our elections, particularly at a time when trust in our institutions is more important than ever.

And, if you’re voting in person this election, be sure to thank your neighborhood poll workers — and your local election administrators! Let them know that their commitment to our democracy does not go unnoticed.

While many polling jurisdictions across the country are well-positioned to meet their staffing needs, there are still hundreds more that could use your help to fill last-minute recruitment gaps or deepen their standby pool of poll workers trained and ready for deployment. Visit Power the Polls to join the next generation of poll workers and be an election hero in your community.

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Lopez is a former deputy supervisor of elections in Miami-Dade County, Fla., and the founding executive director at the Partnership for Large Election Jurisdictions.

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