Coalition urges churches to recruit 70,000 poll workers for 2024

Churches across the country are being urged to recruit volunteers to serve as poll workers and election observers for this year's midterm election. The call comes from a coalition of faith leaders who say that churches can help fill the growing gap in staffing at polling places and add a layer of transparency to the voting process.

Election officials have warned that the 2024 midterms will need more than 70,000 poll workers to manage the expected 200,000 voting sites. In recent years, the number of volunteers has fallen while the number of voters has risen. Past elections have seen reports of long lines, equipment failures, and allegations of intimidation in some communities. Churches have historically been community hubs and have a long tradition of civic engagement. By offering space for training and hosting volunteers, they can help address the shortage and reassure voters that their ballots are handled fairly.

The coalition says churches can start by hosting a brief orientation session on election laws and the responsibilities of a poll worker. Local election offices are willing to provide the training materials and certification. Some churches have already signed up to host volunteers in their basement or parking lot. A pastor in Ohio said his congregation will send 15 people to the county’s main polling station on November 5. In Texas, a megachurch is partnering with the state election office to train 25 volunteers in a two‑hour workshop next month.

If churches take up the offer, the next step is coordination with county clerks and the Department of State. Election officials will assign volunteers to specific sites based on need and location. The effort could also inspire other community groups, such as libraries and senior centers, to step in. By involving faith communities in the electoral process, the hope is that voters will feel more confident in the integrity of the midterm election and that the democratic system will be reinforced in the weeks ahead.