September 01, 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Hannah.Muldavin@mail.house.gov

 

On Poll Worker Recruitment Day, Rep. Trone Urges Young Americans to Register as an Election Official

 

WASHINGTON — Today on Poll Worker Recruitment Day, U.S. Representative David Trone joined his colleagues in urging young Americans to register as an election official this fall. This action follows Trone’s work urging the leaders of the colleges and public school systems in Maryland’s Sixth District to encourage students to sign up to be a poll worker. 

“Our young people are in a great position to serve their country this fall,” said Congressman David Trone. “Not only will they be able to help Marylanders make their voice heard in our democracy, but they will also learn the importance of protecting the right to vote.”

The average age of an American poll worker is 61, according to the U.S. Election Assistance Commission. The COVID-19 pandemic puts the health of older Americans at particularly high-risk, greatly reducing the number of poll workers available for the upcoming election in Maryland.

Trone wrote to the following higher education and public school officials: Universities at Shady Grove, Montgomery College, Frederick Community College, Hood College, Mount St. Mary’s University, Hagerstown Community College, Frostburg State University, Allegany College of Maryland, Garrett College, and University Systems of Maryland – Hagerstown, Montgomery County Public Schools, Frederick County Public Schools, Washington County Public Schools, Allegany County Public Schools, and Garrett County Public Schools.

The text of the letter can be found below:

Thank you for everything you are doing to keep your students, teachers, and staff safe during this unprecedented moment in our nation’s history. Your job has never been more important, and I commend you for doing your utmost to continue to provide a quality education for our students in Maryland despite significant challenges. 

As you know, the general election this November will be a consequential one for our country, and we all must do our part to ensure that every eligible American can safely cast their vote, either by mail or in person, during the global COVID-19 pandemic. Poll workers and other election officials play a crucial role in ensuring the proper functioning of our democracy. According to the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, more than half of our nation’s poll workers are over the age of 61. This demographic is particularly vulnerable to COVID-19, and, as a result, elections officials across the country anticipate a shortage of poll workers and election judges this November. In fact, the Maryland Association of Elections Officials recently reported that “nearly all 24 Local Election Boards (LEBs) in Maryland are suffering a severe shortage of Election Judges constituting an emergency situation.”

 

I believe that young people, including college and high school students, are well positioned to help us meet this challenge, and I write today to ask for your support in encouraging young people at your school to consider registering as an election official this fall. This opportunity is a win-win-win for our students, our community, and our democracy: 

• Young people will gain firsthand knowledge of our democratic processes and the importance of protecting the right to vote, 
• Our communities will be able to safely participate in our democracy, and 
• Our democracy will be stronger as a result of a more informed and involved citizenry. 

Encouraging your students to give back to their communities in this way could take several forms, and I stand ready to assist you in getting the word out about this opportunity to your students and all Marylanders. Thank you for your consideration of this request, and thank you for helping to afford all residents of Maryland’s Sixth District access to free and fair voting in November.

As always, please continue to let me know if there is anything I can do to be helpful. I will keep fighting in Washington for increased state and local funding, funding for our colleges and schools, and increased access to broadband for everyone in Maryland. 

Sincerely,

David Trone

Member of Congress

 

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