No Poll Worker Shortage in Atlanta Metro Area
Preparations Underway for Presidential Primary
Despite concerns prompted by the heated 2020 election where many local poll workers quit or retired, Atlanta’s metro area seems well equipped to staff precincts for the imminent presidential primary. Local election authorities affirmed that they have a full roster or expect to complete it by the election day, March 12, 2024. Early voting which began on February 19, is already staffed.
“We’re really lucky that Cobb County has a wealth of poll workers,” asserts Tate Fall, Cobb County’s Elections Director, acknowledging the robust pool of potential workers in Cobb county. The county, having a surplus, is planning to send additional workers to assist in the northern part of Fulton County.
Recruitment Drive in Full Swing
Fulton County has adopted various measures for pulling in poll workers, including social media campaigns and recruitment fairs. The County is all set for the primary according to the Department of Registration & Elections. Gwinnett County also confirmed steady staffing for the election, mirroring the 2022 stand.
However, working at the polls has never been an easy task. On election day, poll workers can expect to clock in 14 hours or even more, starting before the opening of polls at 7 a.m., and ending after they close at 7 p.m. This makes the job even more commendable.
Facing the Challenges
Post the 2020 presidential election, several experienced poll workers didn’t return due to increased health risks amid the COVID-19 pandemic and growing harassment and intimidation after the contentious election results were disputed. The Department of Justice, in response to numerous threats nationally against election officials in 2020, formed an Election Threats Task Force to review and prosecute such instances.
Wider repercussions of such intimidation have raised concerns, with a survey highlighting that over half of election officials are apprehensive about the potential impact on recruitment or retention of staffers and volunteers.
Georgia legislators are working on a potential solution with House Bill 1118, aiming to raise the penalties against those convicted of violence or threats against election workers.
Many Stepping Up To The Plate
Despite the challenges, a new, younger group of election workers have stepped in to fill the void. According to a study by the Brennan Center, 12% of election officials nationally began their service post the 2020 election cycle.
Despite the early voting for the 2024 presidential election cycle being relatively low-key so far, the need for workers is expected to rise with the progressing elections. Election officials are continuously organising virtual and in-person recruitment events to ensure staffing for forthcoming general primary and general elections.
If you are interested in contributing to your community by becoming a poll worker, check with your county’s election office for an application. The Georgia Secretary of State’s office has recently relaunched a statewide application page and the Georgia ACLU has a comprehensive guide to streamline the process.
