Elections across the country vary widely, but they all have one thing in common: they rely on volunteers. Free and fair elections are one of the foundational elements of our country. If you’re interested in getting involved, here are three ways to do so.
Every year brings new concerns, priorities, and candidates. Take some time and get to know the people who are running to represent you. Which are promoting ideas you support? Read candidate websites and get to know their positions on the issues that matter to you. USA.gov also publishes voter guides on various candidates for federal office, as well as sample ballots so you can get familiar with issues that may appear on the ballot.
How, where and when you can vote is changing in much of the country, with many states adopting new voting rules, redrawing congressional and state legislative districts and working out whether to retain or scrap policies introduced in 2020 to make voting easier amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Visit www.aarp.org/electionguides for a state-by-state guide on how to register, whether you can vote early or by mail, key deadlines to know and much more - and spread the word.
Poll workers are the people who work at election locations to help record votes and monitor the election process. Each state has its own rules for recruiting poll workers. First, you must be a registered voter, and there may be age and residency requirements depending on your state. You can find out more about the specific requirements for poll workers in your state here and find poll worker opportunities through the first-of-its-kind nonpartisan initiative, Power the Polls.
If you’re looking for other opportunities to get involved with causes you support, be sure to visit www.createthegood.org for ideas, inspiration, and opportunities.