Giving Compass' Take:
- Jennifer Sirangelo discusses how the work of election volunteers is vital to U.S. democracy, drawing connections between this work and other forms of civic engagement.
- What is your role in strengthening democracy and civil society through volunteer work in your community?
- Learn more about strengthening democracy and how you can help.
- Search our Guide to Good for nonprofits focused on democracy in your area.
What is Giving Compass?
We connect donors to learning resources and ways to support community-led solutions. Learn more about us.
Did you know it requires more than 774,000 poll workers to conduct national elections in the United States? And these are just the election volunteers—the poll workers and election judges who make free and fair elections feasible. This count doesn’t include tens of thousands of other volunteers who register voters, provide rides to polling stations, canvass door to door, distribute water to those waiting in line and much more.
Voting lies at the heart of democracy. We believe that voting is one of the significant actions people can take to support their communities and influence the future of their country. However, this wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of election volunteers.
This year, nearly half of the world’s population will cast their vote in a general election. And with the global formal volunteer rate hovering at 6.5% (those of working age who volunteer formally through an organization or association), we know this can and will have serious implications worldwide.
Transforming the Perception of Election Volunteering
Changing the view of volunteering from a nice option to an essential act is crucial. Volunteering instills a sense of positivity in individuals, drives them to fortify their communities and fosters connections across differences. Altering the perception of the work of election volunteers also enhances other civic activities.
When individuals engage in both voting and volunteering, they feel a deeper investment in their society. Research from the University of Maryland's Do Good Institute found that those who volunteer are 12% more likely to vote. The 2020 national election in the U.S. witnessed "the highest voter turnout of the 21st century," yet only two-thirds of eligible voters participated. Many people feel alienated from voting, but it remains critical for maintaining thriving communities and societies.
Disinterest is also infiltrating our communities and mindset. For example, the U.S. is facing a volunteer crisis. According to the latest Volunteering in America report, the volunteering rate dropped by 7%, reaching its lowest point in nearly 30 years. This trend is unsustainable for a participatory society.
Read the full article about election volunteering by Jennifer Sirangelo at Forbes.