Bar Association Joins Effort to Mobilize Lawyers as Poll Workers
WASHINGTON — The American Bar Association said Wednesday that it is once again joining a nationwide effort to recruit lawyers to assist as poll workers for the upcoming election.
This is the third consecutive election cycle that the ABA has partnered with the National Association of Secretaries of State and the National Association of State Election Directors in an effort they jointly call “The Poll Worker, Esq. initiative.”
Begun in 2020 and resumed in 2022, its sole purpose is to encourage lawyers, law students and other legal professionals to assist in upcoming elections by serving as poll workers.
“Elections are the lifeblood of our democracy, but they don’t happen without the dedication and hard work of many people working with state and local election officials and staff to make it an easy experience for anyone to vote,” ABA President William R. Bay said in a written statement..
“Poll workers are an essential part of that team effort. The ABA encourages lawyers to step up and volunteer to be poll workers. Be a part of this important process. Your service to your community makes a difference,” Bay added.
Information on this campaign can be found at ambar.org/vote, the ABA’s Poll Worker, Esq. homepage, which provides resources on the need for poll workers, the crucial work they do and the reasons why lawyers are perfectly suited for that work.
The initiative will be accompanied by a social media campaign on the ABA’s Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok and Threads accounts, which will run through the fall and is designed to provide practical ways to get involved in the election process.
The hashtag for the effort is #PollWorkerEsq.
“As a lawyer by trade, I know firsthand how much legal professionals value our democracy and rule of law. I want to thank our associations for again encouraging ABA professionals to step up to become poll workers,” said Steve Simon, Minnesota secretary of state and president of the NASS.
“Chief election officials are anticipating record turnouts this presidential election. So please consider becoming a poll worker to help election officials across the country keep our elections fair, orderly and secure for all,” he said.
”Poll workers are the face of an election for most voters, so we hope this partnership encourages lawyers, law students, and anyone who can to step up and serve, not just in November 2024 but in all elections happening in their communities,” said Kansas Secretary of State Bryan Caskey, who is also the NASED’s incoming president.
Interested lawyers and law students are encouraged to go to www.canivote.org and click on the “Become a Poll Worker” tab to find out how to serve in their jurisdictions.
Depending on the state or territory, tasks may range from staffing polling places to processing returned ballot envelopes, and more. Some jurisdictions offer Continuing Legal Education credit for training and service as a poll worker as well, the organizations noted.
Dan can be reached at [email protected] and at https://twitter.com/DanMcCue
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