Getting out of bed before noon for many college students is an impressive feat. For second-year University of Florida students Brett Steinfeld and Yael Diamond waking up before the sun rose was just part of the job. Both students served as poll workers during the 2018 City of Gainesville Regular Election.
A large portion of the Gainesville community is made up of college-age citizens, so the two said that representing that group as poll workers was important to them.
“Poll workers should reflect what a community looks like, and I hope having a student at the polling location was reassuring to voters,” Diamond said.
+As poll workers, students learn important information about the election process — and earn some money while doing so.
“I was able to work on my communication skills, as well as learn how to operate new equipment that I had not previously been exposed to," said Diamond, who is studying political science and international studies with a Middle East focus.
Both Diamond and Steinfeld walked away with a greater appreciation for the process.
“I believe that every student should participate as a poll worker to have the experience to learn about how our elections operate,” Steinfeld said.
This civic duty can also aid students in their academic studies.
“As a political science student, learning the intricacies of elections has been very helpful in my studies and research and has allowed me to to learn the minute details of elections and learn more about the civic process,” Steinfeld said.
Civic involvement for students could be expressed in different ways. While these two chose to work the polls, it can be as simple as possessing knowledge about candidates and local issues and using that knowledge to vote.
“You live in Gainesville, so local matters impact you.” Diamond said. “If you want to complain about anything involving the city and you did not vote, then I feel like you can't complain.”
If you would like to serve as a poll worker, please go to VoteAlachua.com or email tjpyche@alachuacounty.us.
Olivia Page is a communications intern with the Alachua County Supervisor of Elections
