New York Times (Op-Ed): ‘It’s 8 P.M. on Election Day.’ Experts Share Their Nightmare Scenarios.

The Poll Worker Catastrophe

Nightmare The week before Election Day, state officials from all over the country put out a desperate call for poll workers. Given the second wave of Covid-19, seasoned poll workers, many of whom are over 60 years old, are dropping out. This effort draws a small number of new recruits, who are given election manuals and told to study them. Nonetheless, officials announce closings and consolidations of polling places. On Election Day, voters arrive to find doors locked and no signage. At the open polling locations, long lines and confusion reign. Ballot marking devices are failing, scanning machines are jamming and e-poll books are running out of power — and the new workers are out of their depth. Instead of providing paper ballots, they instruct voters to come back later. Lawsuits are filed in state after state, and courts order extensions of the voting hours. Voters in some states wait 10 hours to vote. Others can’t wait, and leave, never to return.

Solution Congress should pass a new coronavirus relief bill that includes $3.6 billion for states to administer elections. With increased resources, states can begin to recruit, hire more workers at a higher wage and organize mass trainings. Local governments should try to find new kinds of poll workers: colleges could give their students credit, employers could provide paid time off and local governments could assign employees to the polls. Companies could help, too. Which sports team will award season tickets to a poll worker? Which restaurant will offer unlimited visits for a year? Which television show will offer a cameo? We need resources, innovative thinking, and commitment from lawmakers, election officials and every sector of the country.

Sylvia Albert is the director of voting and elections at Common Cause.