POLL WORKERS AND POLL WATCHERS
Poll workers are an essential part of the voting process.
Informed and engaged poll workers contribute to that process, benefit their communities, and help ensure the right to vote is not unduly impeded. Indeed, a lack of qualified poll workers (different from poll watchers) has been a serious impediment to voter access. When states face difficulties attracting and hiring qualified poll workers, polling places are often understaffed or mismanaged, resulting in long lines, the spreading of misinformation, and even incidents of bias and intimidation. Additionally, poll workers are often the only election officials with whom voters interact, so they play an important role in how voters experience and think about the voting process.
We expect that the COVID19 crisis will be completely over 2022, when the very important Arizona Senate and Gubernatorial elections take place. Poll workers will be needed to once again insure that free, accurate elections take place in Payson and elsewhere in Arizona.
In the past, the Democrats have not aggressively recruited our members to perform this service, but we need to step up now, as the potential for election interference once again seems higher than ever. Even though we enjoy the benefits of voting by mail, there is still a need for polling places to be fully staffed and functional so that all who wish to exercise their right to vote are able to do so.
Below are links to information on what poll workers and poll watchers do and how to participate in this important job. If you are eager to make a difference, this is your chance.
Republicans in our District primarily run the elections, and it is important to have representatives from all parties participating in election processes.