Pennsylvania officials are urging registered voters to step up and serve as poll workers, as the 2024 presidential election is just a little over three months away.
According to Al Schmidt, the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, elections are events that we should be rejoicing. He believes that we should not be anxious about it, but rather embrace it with open arms.
Schmidt and Philadelphia officials are urging more Pennsylvanians to step up and help safeguard a free and fair election in November, just one day before National Poll Worker Recruitment Day. Their call to action emphasizes the importance of ensuring that the election process runs smoothly and efficiently, and encourages citizens to get involved in preserving the integrity of our democracy.
Schmidt expressed her enthusiasm for individuals who step up to serve as poll workers or county election administrators during this critical period. “It is incredibly inspiring to see people take on these roles and receive training,” she remarked.
During the 2020 US Presidential Election, Pennsylvania played a pivotal role as a battleground state. However, the state was met with a barrage of election protests, court challenges, and even threats against election officials due to the contested election by former President Donald Trump and his team.
According to Seth Bluestein, the Philadelphia City Commissioner, the effects of Election Day go far beyond the limited time frame from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. “The commitment made on that day has a lasting impact on our lives,” he stated.
According to Schmidt, over 80 top officials have departed from poll working since 2020 due to different reasons. The exodus has resulted in a shortage of personnel in almost 67 counties of Pennsylvania, affecting nearly two-thirds of the state.
According to officials, around 1,000 poll workers have been recruited for 1,700 polling locations in Philadelphia. However, they still need 8,500 more workers to fill the gap.
Jamar Oliver, an officer with the Philadelphia City Commissioners, stressed the significance of conducting elections that are both free and fair.
Schmidt was unsure about the distance they had to go to reach their objective. He also mentioned that the monitoring of volunteers is done on a county level.
These American heroes of democracy understand his message loud and clear.
Schmidt emphasized that contributing is one of the most crucial ways for someone to make a valuable contribution to society and is a genuine act of civic virtue.
