Pew Research: The Critical Role of Poll Workers in American Democracy
As we approach another major election, millions of Americans are heading to their local polling places to cast their ballots. Behind each successful election stands an army of dedicated poll workers—everyday citizens who play a vital role in our democratic process. Recent research from Pew Research Center sheds light on these essential workers and the challenges they face.
High Trust in Local Poll Workers
One encouraging finding is that Americans largely trust their local poll workers. An impressive 90% of registered voters express confidence that poll workers in their community will perform their duties well during upcoming elections. This level of trust actually exceeds voters' confidence in state election officials (81%)—suggesting that voters feel particularly positive about the people they encounter face-to-face at polling places.
What Do Poll Workers Actually Do?
Poll workers serve as the front-line staff of our elections, handling a variety of crucial tasks:
Setting up and managing voting equipment
Greeting and checking in voters
Verifying voter IDs and registration
Providing language interpretation when needed
Counting ballots
And more
These temporary workers make up the majority of election staff, alongside year-round election officials and party-appointed poll watchers.
Staffing Our Democracy: By the Numbers
The scale of poll worker recruitment is massive. In the 2022 general election, approximately 644,000 poll workers helped operate polling sites across 45 states and D.C. This number was even higher during the 2020 presidential election, with about 774,000 poll workers participating.
The distribution of poll workers varies significantly by location. Washington D.C. leads with 23 workers per polling site, while states like Colorado, Nevada, and New York maintain strong staffing levels with 12-15 workers per location. However, many states operate with fewer than eight workers per site.
Requirements and Compensation
While specific requirements vary by state, most poll workers must:
Be at least 18 years old (though some states allow workers as young as 16)
Be registered voters
Live in the county or precinct where they'll work
Complete required training
Take an oath of office
Compensation also varies widely. Some states base pay on minimum wage, while others offer flat-rate stipends. Recent years have seen several states increase their compensation rates to attract more workers.
Current Challenges and Solutions
Poll worker recruitment faces several obstacles:
Limited public awareness about the role
Long working hours combined with relatively modest pay
Safety concerns, which have intensified since 2020
The aging demographic of current poll workers (majority are over 60)
In response, states and election officials are getting creative with recruitment:
Actively recruiting military veterans to build public trust
Targeting college and high school students where age requirements allow
Implementing stronger legal protections for election workers
Increasing compensation in some jurisdictions
Looking Ahead
As we move toward future elections, the role of poll workers remains crucial to our democratic process. The high level of public trust they enjoy is encouraging, but ongoing recruitment challenges highlight the need for continued attention and support for these essential workers.
Want to make a difference? Consider becoming a poll worker in your community. Contact your local election office to learn more about opportunities to serve in upcoming elections.