All On The Line Partners with Power the Polls to Recruit and Support Poll Workers
For Immediate Release:
August 1, 2024
Contact:
Madia Coleman
coleman@redistrictingaction.org
Washington, D.C. – Today, in an effort to help combat partisan attacks against the administration of free and fair elections, All On The Line (AOTL) re-launched a partnership with Power the Polls, a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) organization, to recruit poll workers leading up to the 2024 election. As part of this partnership, AOTL has leveraged its expansive grassroots network to help raise awareness, recruit election workers and, through education and support, empower poll workers.
With reports of increasing threats toward election workers, states are grappling with election worker shortages and struggling with recruitment just months before the election. A survey published earlier this year revealed that nearly 40% of election workers reported having experienced threats, harassment, or abuse and the majority expressed concern about politicians’ attempts to interfere with their jobs. Even more alarming, the Trump campaign and the Republican National Committee (RNC) have pledged to recruit at least 100,000 volunteers to serve as “election integrity” watchdogs this election cycle. According to The New York Times, this effort is “rooted in Mr. Trump’s persistent false claims that Democrats cheated to win the 2020 election.”
Since 2020, 92% of local election officials have taken steps to increase election security for voters, poll workers, and election infrastructure and 95% of poll worker respondents in AOTL and Power the Polls’s post-2022 election survey reported having a positive experience. Our resources encourage poll workers to ask about their jurisdictions’ processes and protocols during training, so they’re prepared to help ensure a smooth voting process and 85% of poll workers surveyed said their training made them feel prepared to serve voters at the polls.
“Partisan, anti-democratic forces are making a concerted effort to attack our ability to conduct free and fair elections, and it must be stopped. One of the most effective ways to counter these forces is to recruit poll workers who are dedicated to conducting elections in a nonpartisan manner – allowing all voters to cast a ballot, not just those we agree with,” said John Bisognano, President of All On The Line. “We cannot let threats and intimidation tactics win, that is why All On The Line is supporting a people-powered effort to empower more citizens to serve their communities and ensure every voter is able to make their voice heard.”
To kick off the new poll worker recruitment effort, AOTL is hosting a virtual kickoff event this evening in celebration of National Poll Worker Recruitment Day. Volunteers can join by registering HERE.
###