“Democracy after all is a high-risk undertaking. It means trusting the people rather than the experts; but it also means educating the people, challenging the people, inspiring the people. It means stimulating the people to think, to criticize, to question. It means respecting process as well as results.”
~Sargent Shriver, Washington, D.C., March 22, 1976 (Courtesy of the Sargent Shriver Peace Institute)
Peace Corps founder Sargent Shriver inspired people in a variety of ways, not the least of which was his clarion call to the Peace Corps community to “Serve, Serve, Serve!”
The ongoing commitment to service and the Third Goal of the Peace Corps comes in many forms. And, as we move toward the 2024 election, there is a very important, non-partisan way through which Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) can again answer the call to service.
National Peace Corps Association is proud to be a partner with Power the Polls, a nationwide organization that is working to recruit one million temporary poll workers in advance of this year’s elections.
As a poll worker, you will help elections in your community run smoothly — while getting paid to do so. Election officials are especially in need of tech-savvy and bilingual poll workers to help make voting more accessible for everyone.
Learn more and register to be a poll worker in your community.
Special Webinar: Tuesday, August 27 @ 8 PM Eastern
NPCA will host a special webinar on Thursday, August 27, at 8 PM Eastern for those interested in learning more about being a poll worker. Attendees will hear from a Power the Polls representative who will provide an update on how nationwide recruitment is going as well as meet some fellow RPCVs who will share their experiences as poll workers.
RPCVs Share Their Experiences
Here are the thoughts of several RPCVs who have worked at the polls in the past:
“2020 was a pivotal year for all of us, with the beginning of the COVID Pandemic. I was retired, but felt that I needed to pursue my civic duty, so I applied to be an Election Poll Worker for that year’s election in Wisconsin, first for the April Primary, and then in the November General Election. Later I was there to see the Recount and then to oversee the subsequent count post-election. Sitting there all day on election days, our team was 100% committed to an accurate count of those voting in our district.”
~Elisabeth Hinshaw-Osgood (Central African Republic 1979–80), Indianapolis, Indiana
“I am a poll worker so that I have an active part in the democratic process. As a poll worker, I have learned how the process really works, which builds confidence in our system, and everyone should have that opportunity. Participation is so important because elections cannot happen without citizens willing to do the work.”
~Miriyam Nitzberg (Czech Republic 1992–94), Leesburg, Virginia
“I decided to work at the polls after I heard so much rhetoric regarding “stolen elections”. I learned firsthand that there is so much security, safeguarding, and care around the use of voting machines that “stealing an election” is impossible.”
~Dennis Mialki (Honduras 1978–80; Panama 2016), Tarentum, Pennsylvania
“Why I have been a poll watcher? My first time was partially to expose my young daughter to the mechanics of the voting process…I have always found it to be quite interesting, but it can be a bit slow at times if the voting is slow. Frequently a rush as the polls close and people may be waiting in line.”
~Ron Cox (Liberia 1974–76; 2014), Chicago, Illinois
“I became a poll worker to that I could meet more of my neighbors while doing my part for making democracy work and having fun in the process. It is a very enjoyable time and you learning about decision making at the grass root level.”
~Ben Bloom (Philippines 1978–82), Columbus, OH
“I have worked as a poll worker for many years in Alexandria. I love being part of the process, and working for integrity, neutrality, transparency and accuracy in the process.”
~Barbara Glomb (Benin 1980–82), Alexandria, Virginia