SUBMITTED
HB 572 promotes volunteering as a poll worker
State Reps. Bride Rose Sweeney (D-Cleveland) and Sharon Ray (R-Wadsworth) announced the introduction of House Bill (HB) 572, bipartisan legislation to designate Jan. 25 as “National Poll Worker Recruitment Day.”
“Poll workers are essential to our democratic process, working on the front lines of our elections to safeguard our sacred right to vote for all Ohioans,” said Rep. Sweeney. “The bipartisan nature of this bill allows us to look past the divisive nature of today’s politics and come together to recruit the next generation of poll workers and strengthen the bedrock of our Republic.”
In the past, our nation’s poll workers have disproportionately been from older generations. Given that they are at a higher risk to COVID-19, Ohio has seen a significant decrease in poll worker participation. According to Healthy Elections, Ohio reported that for every poll worker that registered to work during the March 2020 primary, three poll workers were lost due to concerns over public health. Designating this day will promote participation in this important component of our election process.
“I encourage everyone to take a turn participating in the Democratic process so they can see firsthand how elections work in Ohio,” said Rep. Ray.
Poll workers are a vital part of our elections, and the designation of National Poll Worker Recruitment Day emphasizes finding poll workers from all political backgrounds.
HB 572 now awaits referral to a committee for consideration.