One said she was looking forward to her first paying job, another said he was wanted to help the community, while another marveled at seeing the democratic process up close. All three will work the polls this Tuesday in our national election but none of them can vote, yet.
They are high school students ready to rise at dawn and arrive at their appointed polling places for a long day of democracy. Jean Caravella, a teacher at Twentynine Palms High School, is the coordinator for the Poll Worker Program at the school and is pleased with the success.
“What’s been really gratifying is now when I announce that the applications are coming out, I have kids asking even before that, ‘Are we gonna do that again?’, and the applications go like that! We actually have 30 kids participating this year,” said Caravella.
To apply, students must be at least 16, have parents’ permission, maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA, have a solid attendance record, and be available for a 15-hour day. They do get paid the standard rate, which, this year, has been increased to $285.
Caravella has been running the program for about four years and similar programs are offered nationwide. Students do not earn any school credit with the experience, but they are counted as ‘present/non-absent’ for the school day.
Samantha Stevens, a junior, looks at poll working as solid work experience.
“Excited. It’s gonna be my first legitimate job. I’m a little excited for it, a little nervous because I get to talk to people,” she said. “Heard about it from the teacher – started talking about a month ago. And when I heard it, I got the permission slip. Mom encouraged her. Will wear something more formal as it is a job. You want them to know you’re not gonna slack off. … I’m just really excited to work and make new experiences and put it on a resume.”
A poll worker training was conducted in the school’s library and 30 students from the school will be participating, most of them from Caravella’s AP Government class.
“I am actually interested to see how this Tuesday goes because it may be a little bit busier for them than the ones that worked the primary because the primaries you don’t get as many people participating in,” said Caravella. “Quite often in the past, students have come back with some interesting stories about voters who went to the wrong polling place, and they had to explain that, or were looking for somebody’s name to be on the ballot and that person’s name wasn’t on the ballot and why isn’t it? So some of the things we talk about in class, it’s really interesting when they can actually see them happen for real on the ground level and help people with that process.”
Kurt Davis, a senior, is a veteran to the experience as he worked the primaries last March and enjoyed it so much, he signed up again. “It’s something to see. It’s really kind of inspiring to see all these people coming out and giving their say in how our government works,” he said. “I’ve done like a whole lot of volunteer work working through Boy Scouts, faith organizations, things like that. I’ve done a whole lot of volunteer work so this kinda thing I really like doing. I’m looking forward to this, looking forward to the election.”
“I would say I had fun. I get out of school. I get money. But more importantly, you get, like, that experience of doing this.”
Equally excited is Frankie Diorio, a junior, who also previously participated. He is the proud son of a Marine Colonel. Born in Virginia, he has moved 11 times already but understands well the importance of community.
“I feel like it’s a duty to help others in your community and just out of the kindness of your heart to help others experience this and to have all our voices heard in our own special way,” said Diorio.
Caravella appreciates how it gets kids excited to take part in the future. “I’m really proud of these kids, they do a great job. I usually try to go visit them on Election Day. I try to get to all the polling locations and check in on them. That’s always fun, so I’m looking forward to that. And I am also looking forward to a relatively quiet Tuesday,” she said. “Those three and all in the program are pre-registered to vote. They can pre-register so that when they turn 18, it’s already in the system. Those are all future voters.”
And speaking of the future, some final words of wisdom from Diorio:
“No matter who you are voting for and no matter when you come from, we are a nation together and your brothers and your sisters next to you, are still your fellow Americans and they’re still your fellow humans. Love unconditionally and love others as you would yourself. These are the people that your share your country and these are the people you share your planet with. There’s no reason to be divided.”
