New "Pollworkers for Democracy" Project. Over 1,000 sign up in first days!

[IndyOp]

CALLS ON VOTERS TO "GIVE A DAY FOR DEMOCRACY"

In light of a national pollworker shortage of 500,000 and persistent controversies around polling, citizen action groups have joined forces in a new national “Pollworkers for Democracy” campaign. The nonpartisan effort by Bay Area-based Mainstreet Moms (theMMOB.org) and Working Assets with VoteTrustUSA launched last week with a call to “give a day for democracy” by signing up to work the polls. In its first days, 1435 new pollworkers have signed up nationwide.

“It's time to give a day for democracy and sign up to work the polls.” said Megan Matson, of Mainstreet Moms, "The only way our democracy can truly work is by turning concern into action and becoming part of the solution. Helping voters and assisting elections officials is a simple, supportive and paid way to do this."

www.pollworkersfordemocracy.org

At present pollworkers are hired, trained and paid by their local election officials to work in their county on Election Day – the average age of a pollworker is 72. Pollworkers for Democracy is recruiting pollworkers to help with the kind of problems seen in recent primaries: thousands of frustrated would-be voters, long delays, and confusion generated by failing voting machine systems. These problems, combined with a recent flurry of lawsuits and a growing stack of government and institutional reports against electronic voting machines have lead to low public confidence in the American electoral system. Pollworkers for Democracy aims to encourage citizens to get informed and get active in response. Visitors to pollworkersfordemocracy.org can pledge to work the polls, look up local officials information, and learn how to apply for pollworker positions. They are further supported with online materials and weekly teleconference calls offering pollworking resources and advice.

"For the first time in a national election this year, new, computerized equipment will be used in most polling places across the country." said Joan Krawitz, Executive Director of VoteTrust USA, "Our goal is to bring citizens into the process to work the polls and to help both new and experienced pollworkers ensure that the November election runs as smoothly as possible for the voters at their polling places."

The Pollworkers for Democracy campaign plans to collect pollworker observations through an online survey. Participants are encouraged to keep an eye out for problems at the polls such as the mishandling of voter registration requirements, delays and errors due to failing electronic voting systems, voter intimidation, and issues surrounding the use and counting of provisional ballots. The campaign will also be looking for reports of well-run precincts and best practices among elections officials. The pollworker survey is linked to a national Election Incident Reporting System supporting informed election reform solutions.

www.pollworkersfordemocracy.org

:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

[skids]

1. Better late than never. Good work! n/t

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

2. DEMS MUST be at the polls, the BROWN SHIRTS WILL

We need to have folks working at the precincts, because the
Brownshirts WILL be there.

I am already hearing from republicans who will have "partisan observers"
at the polls, but of course they wouldn't think of actually working the polls.

[HockeyMom]

3. My Voter Registration Card

I recently changed my address and Party (Democrat, of course). In red lettering at the bottom of the card it gave a number to call if I wanted to volunteer, with pay, to work the polls on election day.

I have never missed voting in nearly 30 years. Maybe it's about time I gave others that same chance. I am going to call. You are right. This election is far too critcal to take chances.

[IndyOp]

10. Yeah HockeyMom!! Be sure to sign up with P4D, too!

Pollworkers for Democracy is hoping to build a network for long-term election integrity action across the US -- citizens in every county in every state.

:yourock:

[bleever]

4. Big K&R.

Boots on the ground, eyes wide open.

[troubleinwinter]

5. This is EXCELLENT!!! Recommended!!!!

[babylonsister]

6. I'll gladly give a day. Thanks for this and nom! nt

[kiteinthewind]

7. K&R!

I heard about this on NPR the other day! Thanks for the link. We need to all be out in force, WITH CAMERAS and CAMCORDERS, recording everything. They are gonna attempt to steal it again, and we have to be ready!! Thanks, again!
:kick:

[elehhhhna]

8. I'm doing it. Called 'em last week& just signed up @ link.

[IndyOp]

9. Rock On! Thanks for signing up with Pollworkers for Democracy -

P4D are good folks and hoping to create a truly national election integrity infrastructure for the long-term -- people in every county in every state who want democracy back!

:hi:

[Digit]

11. K&R

!

[troubleinwinter]

12. Kickin'!

[fooj]

13. Kick!

This is GREAT news! Thanks for the info...

[Amaryllis]

14. kick

[troubleinwinter]

15. 'nother

kick! www.pollworkersfordemocracy.org