Poll Workers, Voter Registration and “US”

By: Dr. John E. Warren, Publisher
San Diego Voice & Viewpoint Newspaper

It appears the closer we get to the November 8th Election, the greater the challenges. While many of us have been focusing on voter suppression and the many efforts around the country to stop or frustrate the Black and Brown votes in particular and the votes of anyone who does not agree with the MAGA (Make America Great Again) attack on democracy as we know it, we seem to have overlooked, in some quarters, the issue of having enough people of color as Poll Workers for election day.

Early feedback from some of the training sessions for those hired to work the polls suggest few African Americans are signing up for the job, even though it pays. This is particularly disturbing since a number of older and experienced workers have been frightened away from the job because of the many threats on them and their families by the election deniers of the Biden Presidential Election.

If not too late, where possible, we need to encourage young people to apply for and take these jobs for the November election. It appears that whatever recruitment being done is in such a general manner that if one was not already aware or thinking about the Poll Worker jobs, they would just miss the opportunity. This is another example of how we must think and sleep at attention at all times because the challenges are so great to our very freedom and existence.

Once again, in the next three weeks, the future of America as we know it will be decided at the ballot box and not in the halls of Congress where such decisions should be made. Now is the time to be in touch with our local Registrar of Voters with questions about how many election poll workers they have and how many are actually needed. This we must do in addition to ensuring that those around us who can vote, do vote.

Consider these issues: If you are a victim of high rent increases with local elected officials who talk about homelessness but ignore doing anything about rent controls, you should be a registered voter and should be voting right now, either by mail or in person. If you are concerned about healthcare and more funding for pandemic and COVID-related costs, you need to be able to vote for those in office that will support the funding you need. You can add to this list.

You are connected to the issue of Poll Workers and the ability to vote and make change. Lets not let this opportunity pass because we didn’t think our “Votes Matter”.