Column: Feeling disconnected from the voting process? Consider working at the polls

Election day for poll workers begins before dawn at their designated polling precinct. For me, it was at 5:45 a.m. at a church a couple of minutes down the road from my house. Once the room is set up, pay sheets are signed, oaths are taken and it's time to wait until the polls open.

Election day is an important day for American politics, and whether it be a primary or general election, midterm or presidential year, poll workers are a necessity.

I’ve been a poll worker twice now, and it’s only a matter of time before I get an email requesting my help this November. Despite being a crucial role, local election officials often struggle to recruit poll workers — especially young ones.

This is not surprising. Youth engagement in politics is incredibly low. In 2022, only 23 percent of North Carolina voters ages 18-29 actually voted. In fact, many young voters are disillusioned about elections. This has led to apathy among the youth about politics in the country.

Additionally, a lot of Americans have low incentive to work at the polls. In North Carolina, a clerk — the average poll worker — gets paid around $200 for 14 hours of constant work, depending on the location. For many, that is too low to justify taking a day off work or school.

Yet, young people have the most to gain from participating in elections beyond simply voting. Being a poll worker gives younger voters a better perspective on the election process. Additionally, seeing people their age at polling precincts can be encouraging — going to a polling precinct can be intimidating when all the officials are 40 years older than you.

In both 2022 and 2024, I worked the poll books — massive binders full of stickers with voter information — and made sure people were who they said they were. In 2022, I was supposed to be a student assistant, a helper to the actual poll workers. I was only given real duties because they were understaffed.

By noon, it became apparent that there was a new challenge this year: photo ID requirements. Some loved it, some hated it. I received a score of comments throughout the day from people thrilled about the new requirement.

However, it didn’t stop the conspiracy theories. Election workers often face suspicion and harassment from voters, and in this day and age, comments about voter fraud and conspiracies are all but guaranteed. I have received a few in my time working the elections. While mine remained just comments, for many poll workers it can go beyond that.

This suspicion can be frustrating and insulting to poll workers who have volunteered their time to ensure that the elections go as smoothly as possible. Don’t let that discourage you from the overwhelming positives of the experience.

It is immensely rewarding to watch first-time voters excitedly take their “I voted” sticker and hear kids say that they can’t wait to vote. People are often appreciative of poll workers and are eager to learn.

This work is also intensely community-building. You meet neighbors you didn’t know you had, see friends and former teachers, or simply people you’ve seen around town. Depending on the election, you’ll likely watch hundreds of faces come and go. Doctors and nurses head to work early in the morning, teachers and parents bring their kids after school as a teaching moment. It’s the perfect job for a people watcher.

Beyond the community, you gain a greater understanding of how elections work. You learn the insides and outs of the paperwork that is filled out, how ballots are counted and the many measures in place to ensure everything goes right.

Luckily for North Carolina residents, becoming a poll worker is quite easy. The Board of Elections website has a straightforward form that any eligible person can fill out.

The qualifications are simple: You must be a registered voter — or a 17-year-old high schooler in good academic standing — and cannot be a candidate or relative of a candidate, elected government official or hold office with a political party.

I won’t lie to you. Election day is long. It is hours upon hours of repetitive work and answering endless questions about registration, voter laws and ballots. However, this experience may give young voters a reason to feel connected to the process. 

Even though you might be exhausted by the end, more young people should experience working at the polls. It is a rewarding experience that will bring a closer bond with your community and give you a greater understanding of elections and the importance of the political process.

@dthopinion | opinion@dailytarheel.com