On Nov. 3, Rhode Island voters will pick a new governor, Providence mayor, city councilors and General Assembly members in the state’s general elections. Additionally, seven significant ballot initiatives will be voted on, including state issues — like creating an archives facility — and city-level measures — including a divestment initiative supported by Providence for Palestine.
Elections are the hallmark of a healthy democracy and they take meticulous planning by local and state officials. Behind each election are numerous poll workers who staff polling locations and ensure each ballot is cast fairly, legally and easily. To ensure the persistence of Rhode Island’s democracy — and to make a little extra cash on a day off from classes — Brunonians should sign up to work the polls for this upcoming election.
Each poll worker plays a critical role at the polling place. Greeters answer questions voters may have at the door, supervisors confirm registration status and clerks ensure that ballots are properly accounted for. The warden is tasked with managing their respective polling station, making sure the entire operation runs seamlessly. Each of these roles prove pivotal to the success of a fair election process. The barrier to entry for these roles is quite low, typically requiring only an on-campus training program or a video training session. Individuals who are not available during the entirety of Election Day can sign up to be an election protector, who can work shorter shifts and provide voters with necessary information as well as report inadequate signage or voter intimidation. Whether or not the poll worker is a registered R.I. voter or not, they can easily play a role in protecting the Ocean State’s democratic process.
Nurturing local and state-level democracies has never been more important. According to a 2023 University of Rhode Island poll, only 11% of Rhode Islanders said they had a “great deal” or “a lot” of trust in state government, and 14% said the same about local government. Working at the polls is a direct way to contribute to the fortification that our state and local democratic processes need. Additionally, normalizing democratic participation on campus is critical — in 2022, only 32.1% of eligible Brown University students voted in the midterm elections, according to Brown Votes’s internal polling records.
Brown students can also fill a needed gap at polling locations across the state. During this cycle’s primary elections, one in seven of Providence’s 640 hired poll workers called out sick or didn’t show up, causing delays in opening the polls by over an hour. Volunteers noted numerous voters who left the polls without casting their ballot due to the frustration with the polls opening late. Furthermore, the average age of election poll workers nationwide was 61 years old in 2022. As students, Brunonians have the unique opportunity to represent a much-needed younger generation in this critical role. And working the polls has concrete benefits for students, as well — Providence poll workers make between $250-$300 depending on the position in addition to a free breakfast provided by Brown Votes. Providence polls need more support than they are getting: Brown students are a clear solution, providing the technological skills and human support that polls need to run a smooth election.
The upcoming election will have a direct impact on the daily lives of Brown students, as the positions up for election have jurisdiction over housing affordability policies, local infrastructure and small businesses that Brown students shop at. The best civics lessons come from engaging with the system, and getting insight into the voting process can help dispel politics-induced anxiety. You can facilitate the right to vote and ensure that elections are free and fair: principles without which our democracy would flounder. Poll working offers an accessible way to become an active participant in democracy. Elections are the essence of democracy, and it is our responsibility to safeguard them.
Brown Votes is coordinating student poll workers with the city of Providence for this election cycle. Sign up to be a poll worker for the Nov. 3 election.
Nihil Suthy ’27 and Alissa Kraus ’29 are the advocacy chairs of Brown Votes, and Avery Redlich ’28, Ava Srivastava ’29 and Eli Smith ’29 are members of Brown Votes’ advocacy team. They can be reached at nihil_suthy@brown.edu, alissa_kraus@brown.edu, avery_redlich@brown.edu, ava_srivastava@brown.edu and ethan_e_smith@brown.edu. Please send responses to this op-ed to letters@browndailyherald.com and other opinions to opinions@browndailyherald.com.
