Klobuchar leads legislation to provide states with funding to recruit and train poll workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, and is championing a resolution to formally recognize National Poll Worker Recruitment Day
Established by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, National Poll Worker Recruitment Day aims to address critical shortage of election workers amid COVID-19
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Klobuchar (D-MN), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration with oversight jurisdiction over federal elections, is encouraging more people to sign up to become election workers for the November election on National Poll Worker Recruitment Day on September 1.
Klobuchar is leading a resolution in the Senate, recognizing September 1 as “National Poll Worker Recruitment Day.”
In an op-ed published today in Democracy Docket, Klobuchar said it is critical to recruit a new generation of poll workers to ensure well-functioning polling places.
“We’ve seen the chaos and disenfranchisement that will happen in November if we don’t have well-trained and well-staffed polling locations. The Wisconsin primary will forever be etched in the memory of our nation. Voters stood for hours in the cold and rain wearing garbage bags and homemade masks to vote. There was unnecessary crowding with lines wrapping around blocks. As a result, voters were disenfranchised and some even contracted the coronavirus. Black neighborhoods in Milwaukee were disproportionately hurt. In a democracy, this is unacceptable. It is also avoidable,” Klobuchar wrote.
“What is one of the top things we can do to prevent what happened in Wisconsin from happening all over the country this November? Recruit and train new poll workers.”
Established by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC), National Poll Worker Recruitment Day aims to raise awareness about the benefits and importance of poll working and inspire more Americans to volunteer.
“Poll workers are the unsung heroes of the democratic process, and right now we’re facing a critical shortage of these dedicated volunteers,” said EAC Chairman Ben Hovland. “Recruiting poll workers is a challenge for many election officials across the country and the COVID-19 pandemic has made this need even more critical. We encourage Americans, who are able and willing to serve, to sign up to help America vote and work the polls on Election Day.”
America is facing a critical shortage of poll workers because of the Coronavirus pandemic. Even as many states expand access to vote-by-mail and absentee voting options, millions of Americans – especially voters with disabilities and those who lack reliable mail service – will continue to rely on in-person voting to cast a ballot.
Most poll workers have traditionally been over the age of 61, making them especially vulnerable to complications if they contract COVID-19. This has resulted in a critical need for poll workers who are willing and able to assist with the administration of in-person voting on Election Day.
As Ranking Member of the Senate Rules Committee with oversight jurisdiction over federal elections, Klobuchar has consistently worked to expand voting access and encourage her colleagues to join her in taking action to ensure voters can cast their ballots safely during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Natural Disaster and Emergency Ballot Act of 2020, introduced on March 18, 2020 by Klobuchar and Senator Ron Wyden (D-WA) and now with 35 cosponsors, would ensure Americans are still able to vote during the pandemic by expanding early in-person voting and no-excuse absentee voting by mail to all states as well as providing funding to train poll workers. Most of the provisions in her legislation have now been included in the HEROES Act, which was passed by the House of Representatives in May.
In April, Klobuchar wrote an op-ed in the New York Times on the need to expand mail voting, early voting, and online voter registration. In March, Klobuchar and Wyden wrote an op-ed in the Washington Post, highlighting the need “to protect the foundation of our democracy by ensuring that every eligible American can safely cast a ballot in the upcoming elections.”
In May, Klobuchar took to the Senate Floor Klobuchar to ask for unanimous consent to lift restrictions that prevent states from accessing election funding designated to help them safely carry out elections during the pandemic.
On June 11, Klobuchar led her colleagues in a letter to Chairman Roy Blunt (R-MO) of the Senate Rules Committee, Ron Johnson (R-WI) of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security, and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) of the Senate Judiciary Committee, in calling for hearings on the threat coronavirus poses for elections.
Before the Senate considered the third relief package, Senators Coons and Klobuchar wrote a letter to Pelosi, McCarthy, McConnell, and Schumer, urging them to include funding to protect the 2020 elections.
More about poll working and National Poll Worker Recruitment Day is available at HelpAmericaVote.gov
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