Engaged Citizenship in Action: How Student Poll Workers Influence Electoral Processes
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College students are making a significant impact in election administration, thanks to experiential learning programs that offer hands-on experience with the electoral process.
At Suffolk University, a political science course has been partnering with the City of Boston since 2006 to recruit college students as poll workers. This partnership, part of the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, aims to increase student voter engagement and civic learning on college campuses.
The students, such as Junior Political Science major Christina Lydon, express gratitude for the opportunity to serve as poll workers and plan to do so again in the 2026 midterms. Lydon, like many others, has gained a greater appreciation for local clerks and wardens who work in election administration.
The students' experience as poll workers has led them to appreciate the time, energy, and dedication required for the role. They have found that the scholarly literature accurately reflects their own experience as poll workers and are moved by how election law "comes alive."
Young people's quick learning skills, intelligence, and adaptability make them ideal poll workers. Their familiarity with technology enhances their ability to troubleshoot electronic voting equipment. During Election Day, students often spend the entire day on their feet, performing tasks such as checking in voters, managing lines, and checking voting technology.
The students' energy and enthusiasm help sustain long hours during election duties. The human aspect of the election experience is significant, as students meet voters of all ages and backgrounds. This interaction fosters a deeper appreciation of democracy and voting rights, often motivating students to become more active and informed citizens.
Experiential learning programs that engage college students in election administration provide valuable real-world exposure, which helps bridge theoretical civic education with practical application. Serving as poll workers allows students to directly observe and assist in the voting process, bolstering their knowledge about election laws, voter protections, and challenges faced by voters, especially in underrepresented groups.
While the search results highlight broader issues related to college student voting—such as barriers created by policies like the SAVE Act, which complicate voter registration for students—none explicitly detail direct benefits of experiential learning as poll workers. However, the context implies that hands-on roles in election administration counteract such voting barriers by strengthening student involvement and awareness, thereby supporting efforts to increase youth voter turnout and political participation.
The students and long-time poll workers often find each other's company exciting, forming a multigenerational experience. Genuine civic engagement is rooted in experiential learning, as reflected in the reflections and stories shared by students.
In summary, being poll workers enriches students' civic knowledge, builds practical skills, and encourages lifelong political engagement through immersive learning about election processes.
- Suffolk University students, like Political Science major Christina Lydon, are grateful for the opportunity to serve as poll workers as part of their education-and-self-development, offering a practical, immersive learning experience in the field of election administration.
- The interactions with a diverse range of voters during Election Day have sparked personal-growth in the students, fostering a deeper appreciation for politics, democracy, and voting rights within the general-news context.
- The participation of Gen Z students in the election process, such as serving as poll workers, contributes to their learning and development, thereby supporting efforts to increase youth voter turnout and political participation, especially within the state of Massachusetts.
