MILITARY FAMILIES & VETS MOBILIZE: 163,000 JOIN ELECTION DAY POLL WORKER FORCE
Everyone wants to have a fair and just election, which is why there are a lot of measures that need to be taken to make sure that an election is clean. Using poll workers ensures the election is accessible, fair, and accurate. In this election, it was recorded that around 163,000 Veterans and military family members stepped in to guard the ballots on November 5th. This year's recruited number is much higher than the recorded data last 2022, which was just around 63,500.
According to a study that the University of Maryland conducted, military family members and Veterans at the polls boost the people's confidence in the election process. Probably because they know that once they cast their votes, it will be guarded. However, having many participate in protecting the ballots takes work. The nonprofit, We the Veterans, has spent the entire year recruiting these workers. With the help of Veterans and military family members, they are working to stop skepticism and restore confidence in U.S. elections.
Poll Workers Are Ready to Go to Work
According to Ellen Gustafson, the poll workers are more than ready to take on the challenge of running around 132,000 polling stations. She is even optimistic that the Vets and military families can easily follow the rules and procedures, which is why they are a perfect fit for the role, especially in dealing with the election process. Election day is on Tuesday, and all Americans nationwide will be heading to vote for the next president, and even for House and Senate seats.
The need for military family members and Veterans to volunteer as poll workers is usually based on the idea that the community would step forward to serve when asked. There are threats and doubts regarding the integrity of the election and the workers. But, with the military coming in, it is safe to say that many people had faith again in the election's fairness.
These workers are considered nonpartisan. Poll watchers are usually appointed by the state, and sometimes, this is where the possible political gain kicks in. To avoid this, the Chamberlain Network is taking the necessary steps to ensure the election will be fair to defend democracies in their communities.
The U.S. Election Assistance Commission even added that the poll workers' duties and responsibilities would depend on their designated location, state, and training. Some will be stationed to set up the polling location, while others will be assigned to welcome the voters and verify registrations. Some poll workers will be issuing ballots.
Aside from this, they also help voters better understand the voting process by showing how to operate the equipment and explaining the procedures. So, the presence of these workers is highly needed.
Vets and Military Family Members Bring Election Confidence
A survey conducted from August 29 to September 9, 2024, found that Vets' and military family members' involvement increases public confidence in a fair election. A study found that there was an increase in confidence of 7% of the people who knew that Vets and their family members would be part of the election workforce.
Aside from this, it was also found that recruiting these people to be poll workers had a significant impact on officials' approval ratings, which had increased by 5%. There was an 8% increase for those who strongly agree with the use of Vets in the electoral workforce.
The concerns about intimidation, violence, and threats are also lowered when these workers are set to be at the voting areas. The director of the CDCE, Michael J. Hanmer, mentioned that lack of faith in the election is a serious problem that should be addressed. Hanmer even noted that their study proves that recruiting these people as poll workers only strengthens public trust and addresses concerns about potential threats.
Suggested reads:
