Amid shortage, Poll Worker Recruitment Act would let poll workers serve anywhere in their state, not just their local jurisdiction
Letting them leap from one town to another would be quite the poll vault.
Context
When you vote, there’s at least one person — and usually more than one person — volunteering to help out. They’re the people who cross-check your name and address with the database of registered voters, ensure that your ballot is properly counted in the tabulating machine, and get the results to the elections office as quickly as possible after the polls close.
The pandemic throws a curveball when trying to adequately staff poll workers for Election Day. More than half of these volunteers in 2016 were older than 60, also the age group most at risk for death from COVID-19.
What the bill does
The Poll Worker Recruitment Act would allow every poll worker to serve anywhere in their state, overriding some states which limit poll workers to their specific town, county, or jurisdiction. The legislation would only apply for 2020 and no subsequent election, given the emergency circumstances.
It was introduced in the Senate on September 8 as bill number S. 4540, by Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR).
What supporters say
Supporters argue that the bill responds to a new need in electoral logistics, bringing poll workers to where they’re actually most necessary, rather than where they happen to necessarily live.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has presented unprecedented challenges to holding a safe and fair election in November,” Sen. Merkley said in a press release. “No right is more sacred than our right to vote, and we must do everything in our power to protect voting rights this year. Every American voter needs to be given the chance to cast their vote in a safe and accessible way.”
“That means that in addition to giving every voter a chance to vote by mail, we need as many poll workers as possible to avoid long lines, unreasonable waits, and dangerous crowding,” Sen. Merkley continued. “Let’s get every poll worker America has available to where they are most needed and will be most effective.”
What opponents say
Opponents counter that the legislation might not be necessary, since the number of poll workers can rise to meet the demand — and, in many places, has. For example, some states have undertaken successful recruitment campaigns for poll workers this year. That’s also true in swing states, such as Pennsylvania. In particular, an unprecedented number of teenagers and other young people have volunteered.
Odds of passage
The bill has attracted six cosponsors, all Democrats. It awaits a potential vote in the Senate Rules and Administration Committee.
The Senate has adjourned until after the 2020 election. So unlike other pending election-related legislation which would apply to all future elections, this bill which only applies to the 2020 election appears moot.
This article was written by GovTrack Insider staff writer Jesse Rifkin.
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