Election officials and volunteer poll workers like me will soon be on the front lines of a historic election. We will be doing our best, as always, to make sure every eligible voter has the information and opportunity to cast a vote.
America will be welcoming a wave of new voters to the polls on November 8. A record 200 million people are registered to vote in this election, thanks to a 33 percent surge in eligible voters over the past eight years. The new voters in the 2016 electorate will be the most racially and ethnically diverse ever, according to the Pew Research Center.
Unfortunately, Donald Trump has cast doubt on the eligibility of minority voters. He claims—with no supporting evidence—that the outcome of this election is rigged against him. He has urged his supporters to descend on cities with significant minority populations to “watch,” and no one knows what they will do on Election Day.
Where does that leave poll workers like me? I’m worried—but not about the integrity of the upcoming election. America’s election officials are highly professional and observe rigorous election safeguards to make sure every ballot is counted.
The bottom line is I’m worried that you may stay home on November 8—in particular, minority voters—because Mr. Trump’s speeches tend to scare you.
Please don’t stay home, especially you first time voters. Cast your vote bravely and proudly, despite any fears you may have. Your vote is your voice, and America needs to hear you.
Voter intimidation is illegal. In advance of the election, be prepared. Find out what organizations, such as the nonpartisan League of Women Voters, safeguard voters in your state. Write down the phone number so you can ask for voter protection if it becomes necessary.
There is another reason I’m worried that many of you won’t vote. In this era of endless opinion polling, your candidate is either leading or lagging. You might believe the election has been decided, so you may decide to skip voting this time.
Please vote. On Election Day, in all fifty states, we count votes—not opinions.