Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: This paper considers the potential for attitude and behavioral change among college students serving as poll workers on Election Day. The basis for this question is the result of both federal and state-level policy change in Florida, where the need for more poll workers has led to federal initiatives supporting recruitment efforts on college campuses. The enactment of the Help America Vote Act in 2002, coupled with state-level statutory changes, creates a need for more poll workers, particularly those with advanced technical skills and knowledge of languages other than English. In many respects, college students represent an ideal poll worker population: they are younger than the average poll worker (the average age of poll workers nationally is 72), and are more technologically savvy than are older generations. If students readily serve as poll workers, and enjoy a positive experience, then they might continue working the polls for the next several decades. This means that recruiting younger poll workers will address short and long term needs. Data included in this paper are derived from an Elections Assistance Commission Grant #060046 awarded to the authors in August 2006.