For Immediate Release: Thursday, October 3, 2024
Contact: Genevieve Greene, ggreene@seventy.org, 617-785-6991
Philadelphia, PA – The Committee of Seventy, in partnership with the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania, is hosting virtual information sessions for poll workers and poll watchers leading up to the November 5, 2024 general election. Launched on September 16, these sessions will continue through November 4, offering insights and guidance for both new and experienced poll workers and poll watchers to ensure a smooth and secure voting process.
In addition to providing general information for all Pennsylvania counties in the poll worker 101 session, there will also be sessions on serving as a poll watcher, the e-poll books used in Philadelphia, an open-ended Q&A, and de-escalation training. The de-escalation training is being offered for the first time and will focus on essential de-escalation strategies and techniques to ensure a safe and peaceful voting environment.
“Trust is the cornerstone of a healthy democracy: trust in our election officials, in the security of our voting systems, and in one another,” said Lauren Cristella, Seventy President and CEO. “The most effective way to strengthen that trust is through active participation in the democratic process. That’s why it’s crucial for Pennsylvanians to step up and serve as poll workers. These individuals are the backbone of our elections, ensuring that every vote is counted fairly, and without them, our democratic process simply wouldn’t function.”
Sessions will be led by Jeff Greenburg, the Senior Advisor on Election Administration for Seventy. Greenburg served as an election director for Mercer County, PA, from 2007-2020 and has trained more than 10,000 poll workers.
“If you’re interested in becoming a poll worker and what it entails, this is a perfect opportunity to get a sense of what’s involved without making a full commitment right away,” said Greenburg. “Our sessions cover the state laws governing polling places, so it’s useful for people across any county in the state.”
The information sessions are designed to complement the mandatory training provided by Pennsylvania counties that cover the fundamentals about poll worker procedures. These sessions are valuable for both first-time and experienced poll workers, serving as either an introduction or a refresher to ensure they are well-prepared for Election Day. The poll watcher sessions also offer key information on what is and isn’t allowed at polling locations for individuals working on behalf of parties or candidates on the ballot.
“Poll workers are essential to ensuring the smooth and secure administration of our elections, but their impact goes beyond Election Day,” said Amy Widestrom, Executive Director of the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania. “Stepping up to serve at the polls is not only vital for our democracy but also for building stronger, more connected communities. Investing in our civic infrastructure by volunteering on Election Day ensures everyone can vote and every vote is counted, helps foster trust in the democratic process, and connects us to our communities and neighbors in really meaningful ways.”
More information on the sessions, the schedule, and signing up, as well as additional resources for poll workers and poll watchers, can be found on Seventy’s website here.