Students Can Work Or Watch the Polls

With the Nov. 8 elections rolling around soon, students have the opportunity to get involved and make an impact on Election Day. Along with voting, students can register either to poll watch or be a poll worker, also known in the state of Virginia as an officer
of election. 

Both positions allow students to get firsthand experience in making Election Day successful, but poll watchers and officers of election hold different roles and responsibilities.

“One is vital for the function of Election Day, and one is vital for the integrity of each of our elections,” Christian Lasval, the director of election initiatives at the Standing for Freedom Center, said.

Poll watchers will observe the tabulation of the votes, making sure that nobody is counting the votes improperly. There is at least one poll watcher representing each party during
this process.

“Poll watchers are vital because humans are sinful, and corruption is possible. Each campaign will have poll watchers assigned to anywhere that vote counting is happening,” Lasval said. “There have been cases where elderly people have been told which boxes to click or check off – that is illegal.”

Officers of election collect IDs, ensure that voters are registered, give stickers to the voting booth, help scan in ballots and hand out “I Voted” stickers. They are nonpartisan and take an active role in the election.

“Poll workers are vital because not everybody has the election process memorized or knows what they ought to do on Election Day,” Lasval said. “The poll worker is there to make sure that the voter knows their rights, has all the identification necessary to cast their vote and can assist the voter in accomplishing the
task of voting.”

Students can register as an officer of election at elections.virginia.gov, as well as check the corresponding box at the bottom of the form when registering to vote. 

Students interested in being a poll watcher should reach out to one of the campaigns directly to find
opportunities. 

“It is crucial to get involved on Election Day,” Matt Walker, the president of Liberty’s YAF chapter, said. “The reason why it’s so important is because democracy is a participation sport. We all have to participate. It is our duty and moral responsibility to get involved on Election Day and involved in our democratic process to ensure the freedoms we have today are not gone tomorrow and to preserve those freedoms for future generations.”

Smith is the news editor for the Liberty Champion