Many places across the US are struggling to find workers for the voting polls. This is a big problem because it can determine how many people are able to vote come November. 

The lack of workers stems from Covid-19. Most voting booths are run by elderly/ retired folks, but due to the virus many have decided not to work the booths this year since they are in a high risk category. 

Having fewer voting booths is a big problem. The long lines that in person booths might have this year can turn people away from voting, or make it too difficult for those depending on their distance from the open booths, along with other limitations. 

The 2020 election was expected to draw in a higher voter turnout. The lack of booths and workers are not going to help the situation.

 A CNN article titled “States scramble to recruit thousands of poll workers amid pandemic shortage” stated, “The spring primaries that were held in person illustrated the risks of understaffing polling places in an election that’s expected to draw high turnout, with voters in Wisconsin, Georgia and other states waiting hours to cast their ballots.”

These long wait times can affect how many people want to vote. Fewer booths also mean less access to employees with long hours, and parents with small children because of how much time the lines could take. 

New York Times’ paper “The Pandemic Is Causing a Shortage of Poll Workers. Can States Recruit Enough by Election Day?” mentioned, “In Milwaukee, Wis., an expected 180 voting sites for the April 7 presidential primary were consolidated into five.”

Since we are losing this many polling places most states across the country  have lowered the working age from 17 to 16 in an attempt to draw in more help. To serve as a high school voting booth worker some of the standards they must meet are to be a US citizen, and to have at least a 2.5 gpa. 

With these requirements many teens can play a part in helping people vote in November.  More poll workers can make voting easier for others, and help combat long lines. Voting should be available to everyone that is eligible, and with the lack of booths it makes this difficult for many, but having more people aware of this problem can help our election go smoother in the fall. 

Research Websites:

The spring primaries that were held in person illustrated the risks of understaffing polling places in an election that’s expected to draw high turnout, with voters in Wisconsin, Georgia and other states waiting hours to cast their ballots.

https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/13/politics/poll-worker-shortage-2020-election/index.html

“In Milwaukee, Wis., an expected 180 voting sites for the April 7 presidential primary were consolidated into five.”

 https://time.com/5876195/coronavirus-poll-workers-election/

https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/poll-worker-information/