Where Will Our Future Election Poll Workers Come From?

When you went to the polls today to vote I am sure you notice the people who were there to assist you with your ballot. In most locations, you will see the same people working there, election after election. God bless them for their time in assisting us in voting. They get there at 5:30 in the morning and leave there at 7:30 at night in some cases. It is a long day and depending on the turnout, a very long day in many cases. Most of these workers are elderly and retired which leads me to the question, "Who is going to replace them when they are gone?"

Oh, there will be new retirees, but maybe it is time for some young blood to step up to assist during elections. Why not involve students in this process, perhaps from a local high school civics class. Students who are in need of service hours could also be a part of elections. Obviously, there is training that would be needed but what a way of having young people get involved with our election process.

Before you think I am wanting the retirees to step down, that is the last thing I am wanting. In many locales there just aren't enough people to man the polls and municipalities scramble to get people at these polling places. In others, a long day could very well be shortened by a reinforcement of students at the polls to work.

For many students, it would be their first involvement with the electoral process and who knows where it could lead them. They may run for City Council, Mayor, Senator, Congressman or even President and it all started by helping at the polls. It's just a thought. What do you think?