AARP Collaborates to Address Poll Workers Shortages for 2020 Elections

Blend Images - Hill Street Studios/Getty Images

AARP Delaware announced a new initiative to enlist poll workers of all ages this November, working in collaboration with the Association of Young Americans (AYA), Power the Polls, and New Leaders Council (NLC).  The groups aim to enlist more poll workers to ensure that in-person voting is still an accessible and safe option this fall. AARP will offer a range of resources on voting, and tools to help with the poll worker shortage.

 “There is an urgent need for more poll workers this election, including people 50-plus and younger voters. We need to ensure that in-person voting is still an accessible and safe option so that Delawareans can choose how they want to vote this year,” said Lucretia Young, AARP Delaware State Director. “We will encourage all AARP members to communicate with their younger family and friends around the importance of voting and how to participate as a poll worker.”

For more information on how to serve as a poll worker in your community, visit www.powerthepolls.org/AARP.  According to a Pew Research Center analysis of government data, nearly six-in-ten (58%) poll workers were ages 61 and up in 2018 and 56% in 2016. Many communities faced poll worker shortages prior to the pandemic. The 2016 U.S. Election Assistance Commission found that two-thirds of jurisdictions already had a difficult time recruiting enough poll workers on Election Day.

The Power the Polls initiative is also working with local organizations and partners to help election officials provide the necessary PPE to keep poll workers and voters safe. For more information reach out to your local officials through www.workelections.com.

In August, AARP launched “Protect Voters 50+,” a comprehensive voter engagement campaign to support and protect Americans 50-plus as they vote in the 2020 elections. The campaign will help Americans over 50 votes safely, whether at home or in person. The “Protect Voters 50+” campaign will provide people with the information they need about this year’s elections, including video voters’ guides, issue briefings, direct mail, text messaging, social media and paid media. More on voting safely and effectively in Delaware can be found at www.aarp.org/devotes.