Harrisburg, PA – On Help America Vote Day, January 27, Secretary Al Schmidt urged Pennsylvanians, especially those among the next generation of voters, to consider serving as poll workers.
“Twice a year, Pennsylvania needs about 45,000 poll workers to staff more than 9,000 polling places across the Commonwealth,” Schmidt said. “These civic heroes serve their communities by enabling their neighbors to make their voices heard at the ballot box, and they help ensure our elections are safe, secure and accurate. Being a poll worker also is an excellent way for our youngest voters to learn about the electoral process.”
Help America Vote Day was first recognized by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission in 2022 to raise awareness about the importance of poll workers and to inspire more Americans to participate in the electoral process.
In advance of Help America Vote Day, Deputy Secretary for Elections Jonathan Marks hosted a roundtable discussion on Jan. 23 with current and former student poll workers from Susquehanna Township and the judge of elections who recruited them.
“These are excellent students, and I thought it would be great for them to understand this process from a young age,” LuAnn Hetherington, judge of elections in Susquehanna Township’s Ward 4, said during the roundtable. “It’s great to see these young kids out there.”
Hetherington, who is also the head swim coach at Susquehanna Township High School, has recruited about 45 student poll workers over the years. She noted that the student poll workers know how to use iPads, which makes them especially helpful with technology such as new electronic poll books.
“I am a poll worker because I like to help and give back to my community,” said Devorah Cheskis, a senior at Susquehanna Township High School. “The best part of being a poll worker is helping your neighbors have their opinions heard. It’s one thing to talk to a neighbor as a friend. It’s another to help them fulfil their right in voting.”
Some of Hetherington’s student poll workers have continued to work the polls long after high school.
“Being a poll worker definitely makes you confident in the security of elections and the accuracy of the vote,” said Matt Ward, a 10-year poll worker who first worked the polls as a student at Susquehanna Township High School.
Marks thanked the student poll workers for their service. “The work you do is incredibly important,” he said. “Pennsylvania couldn’t hold elections without poll workers.”
Student poll workers must be:
- At least 17 years old
- A U.S. citizen and resident of the county where they are serving
- In good academic standing
- Have their principal/administrator’s approval and parent/guardian consent.
Counties pay and train student poll workers, and the Department has poll worker training materials on its website. Schools can also nominate student poll workers for awards under the Governor’s Civic Engagement Award program.
For more information about serving as a poll worker and how to apply, visit the Department’s website.
Luann Hetherington, center, head swim coach at Susquehanna Township High School and the judge of elections for the township’s Ward 4 precinct, speaks Friday during a student poll worker roundtable event in the Department of State’s conference room in Harrisburg. Hetherington and six of her current and former student poll workers spoke with Jonathan Marks, Deputy Secretary for Elections, for about an hour in advance of national Help America Vote Day. Pictured with Hetherington are Cole Hunsberger, left, and Clay Heller, both seniors at Susquehanna Township High School.
Deputy Secretary for Elections Jonathan Marks speaks during Friday’s poll worker roundtable in the Department’s conference room as current student poll worker Sophia Fields, left, a Susquehanna Township High School senior; and Dylan Kenny, a 10-year poll worker who began volunteering in the role as a Susquehanna Township High School student. The roundtable was held in advance of national Help America Vote Day.
Luann Hetherington, center foreground, head swim coach at Susquehanna Township High School and the judge of elections for the township’s Ward 4 precinct, brought six of her current and former student poll workers to the Department of State’s offices in Harrisburg on Friday for a roundtable discussion with the Department’s Deputy Secretary for Elections, Jonathan Marks, center background, and Civic Engagement and Language Access Coordinator, Diane Gordian, center right. The discussion was held in honor of national Help America Vote Day.
Sophia Fields, a Susquehanna Township High School senior, takes part in Friday’s poll worker roundtable in the Department of State’s conference room in Harrisburg. Fields was among six current and former student poll workers who spoke with Deputy Secretary for Elections Jonathan Marks in advance of national Help America Vote Day about their experiences helping their neighbors cast their ballot and make their voices heard.