By Sheena King, WOW Dems Legislative Committee Co-Chair

Think back to kindergarten. Recall what you wore on your first day of school and your excitement to finally go to “big” school and make new friends and meet your teacher. What about learning The Pledge of Allegiance? In Texas, we also learned The Pledge of Allegiance to the Texas flag. And who can forget singing the lyrics to “America (My Country Tis of Thee)” – “sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing…Let Freedom Ring.”

What you’ve known all along

They say everything we need to know we learn in kindergarten, and I am convinced it’s true. I must admit sometimes it’s hard to color within the lines, but overall, everything else is spot on. Here’s my list of things I learned from kindergarten (yours may be different): kindness (empathy), how to share (equity), using our words (advocacy), how to play & fight fair (diplomacy), and clean up after yourself (accountability).

I use each of these skills daily; some more so than others, but all stand ready in any given situation, personal or professional. While there are many roles I play, hats I wear, and groups in which I am honored to be a part, none of them compare to family. Every family is uniquely created. None is quite like another, but at the core is unconditional love.

A family affair

My family is a cast of characters to say the least, but we’re all on one accord in 2020: to do whatever it takes to regain the soul of our nation. All summer, we’ve been actively volunteering to support the election in whatever manner we can (protesting, donating, voter registration, encouraging voting by mail, etc.).

While we can show our love in many languages in our family, we all know when it comes to voting, there is one universal language we have the privilege to use in America: our vote is our voice.

This year, my entire core family, spearheaded by my social activist sister and my mother, as well as my nephew and cousins, will unite as election workers. Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be an election worker? Is it just me, or have you also thought, “Bless their heart” when you walked into a polling location and saw all the lovely retirees dedicating those long hours to ensuring our votes are cast?

The real deal

When they say polls open at 7 a.m., that’s no joke. That means election workers show up around zero dark thirty (i.e., early!). So, it’s important to prepare. That means going to bed early and getting a full night’s rest. Caffeine is a must; did I mention it’s still dark outside when you show up to set up the polling location? Those signs, emergency cones, and machines don’t set up themselves!

After everything is set up and the clock strikes 7, you’re going to have voters. Trust me – even in a pandemic, there are still those who want to rise early and be first in line to vote, or eager to get it done before work, to stop in while jogging, etc. Whatever the case may be, there will be a rush in the early hours, so be ready on time.

Depending on your polling location, the flow of voters throughout the day varies, so you may want to bring reading material to occupy you during any slow periods. The other voting peaks I’ve observed include lunchtime (11 a.m.-2 p.m.) and dinner time (5-7 p.m.). Throughout the day, election volunteers are smiling and using all those skills they learned in kindergarten to help their fellow citizens.

After the polls close, there are some administrative duties and of course cleaning up signs and materials. That’s it!!!!!

It’s simple

It’s hard to believe, but November will be here before we know it. Make no mistake about it: this is THE most important election of our lives – not just for you and me, but for generations to come. An estimated 250,000 new poll workers are needed to handle the expected demand for in-person voting this year. Can we count on you to step up and fill in to do your part in 2020 to Let Freedom Ring?

It’s simple: volunteer to ensure our elections are a success by being a poll worker, alternate Election Judge. or Election Judge. Don’t worry, there is training (paid, too!) for all volunteers, hourly pay plus there plenty of personal protective equipment (PPE). We want to protect our voters and poll workers.

What’s the big deal?

It breaks my heart to see counties and states with hundreds of people waiting in horrendously long lines just to vote rather than waiting in line at Six Flags or to hear their favorite musician. Nope, people are waiting just to vote. Let that sink in for a minute.

Our freedom is not guaranteed, so we must vote like our lives depend on it. Voter suppression is alive and kicking, constantly shape-shifting and evolving, but we’re not going to be hoodwinked. While voters’ perseverance and commitment (including enduring ridiculous obstacles) are admirable, we can help. While it will require sacrifice, it is worth it; 2020 has created an overwhelming need for more poll volunteers and we’ve got high stakes with two campaigns on extreme opposing views about our country. Add in the threat of the pandemic; our most vulnerable (elderly) citizens have traditionally been poll workers, and many of them may have to sit this one out.

Where YOU come in

This is where we can step in to fill the gap, in addition to the 250,000 new poll workers some polling locations need to replace those unable to volunteer. While there is a nationwide push to recruit poll workers, maximum effort is needed. Some companies (Old Navy, Tory Burch, Target, Facebook) are even paying their employees their normal pay up to eight hours to be poll workers (plus they will get their election worker pay).

Our big ask

If you’ve read this far, you’re probably on the fence about becoming a poll worker or at least considering it, so I’ll wrap and ask you to please, please, please volunteer to be a poll worker for the early election days and/or the general election (Nov. 3).

While my teenagers really didn’t appreciate the early morning part of it (minor sacrifice), they came to understand the lessons learned from volunteering – including what civic duty really means and gratitude for those who gave their lives for our rights.*

Representation matters, so encourage your friends and family to also consider volunteering. It is human nature to want to see someone who looks like you (gender, race, age, etc.). This is paramount during the voting process, so we need YOU. Help us let freedom ring this November.

Please check out any of these resources to get started to be an election poll worker:

*Did I mention high schoolers can volunteer at the polls? They just need a signed form from their school. They get paid and may also be able to use their election volunteer experience toward community service hours. Trust me, the experience of witnessing, up close and personal, how our democracy works is a big deal.

For info on candidates & voting, visit wowdems.org. To join the Legislative Committee, email legislative@wowdems.org.