Rachel Luce ‘21

Because this year’s election is critical to the provision of civil rights and justice in the United States, I wanted to do more than just vote. With Annie Rupertus’ help, I signed up to be a poll worker in Philadelphia County so that I could get involved on Election Day. Philadelphia already has enough poll workers to work at each polling location, so instead I will go to local polling places with classmates to deliver food and water to waiting voters.

Annie Rupertus ‘21

This Election Day, I’ll be working at a polling place in my neighborhood. From 6:00 AM until past 8:00 PM, I will set up the polling location, serve as a machine inspector, manage voting machines, and assist voters. I came across this opportunity completely by chance—over the summer, I was scrolling through Instagram stories when I saw that one of my friends had re-posted something from The Poll Hero Project. Immediately intrigued, I did some more research and discovered that during this year’s primaries, Philadelphia only had 2,500 poll workers out of the 8,500 needed. Since I’m young and therefore at a lower risk for complications from the coronavirus, working the polls is a way to step up and help make this election run smoothly, even though I can’t directly impact the results since I’m only 17. I’m looking forward to making a contribution to democracy.

Maya Brand ‘21

Being unable to vote in this election was discouraging for me, so I really wanted to find a way to participate in some way. Although I saw some surface level information about The Poll Hero Project on social media, it was really my classmate, Annie Rupertus, who helped me get involved. The Poll Hero Project’s main goal is to recruit young people older than 17 to help work the polls. Basically, the day consists of managing lines and directing voters so that everybody can cast a ballot.

Carly Siegel ‘21

On election day, some of my friends from FSS and I will volunteer with a group called SEAMAAC that works to ensure that voters have the resources to vote safely and properly. We will go to polling places around the city, handing out food, water, PPE, and any other supplies needed. We will also be taking photos for their social media account.

Sophie Saint-Cyr ‘22

This year (and I know everyone is sick of hearing this) has been a complete wreck. As a minor, there’s not much I can directly do to help out politically. However, over the summer, I was introduced to NextGen America, an organization dedicated to motivating citizens to vote. Because NextGen America doesn’t have an age requirement, I was able to get right to work. With NextGen America, I have called and texted over 300 eligible and registered voters to get out and vote, either on Election Day or via mail beforehand. I’ve also mailed out 200 postcards in Pennsylvania. Although there’s not much we can actively do as high schoolers, I encourage everyone to find a way to participate in the upcoming election.