Protect poll workers

It has long been difficult to attract people to work at the polls on election day. Covid made the problem worse, and more recently, increased harassment of poll workers has caused many of these volunteers to quit. A new survey shows one in three poll workers nationwide say they have experienced harassment, and one in five has either quit or is considering quitting. That trend is getting worse. That is why new laws are needed to protect our poll workers, many of them senior citizens willing to work a 13 hour day in performance of a civic duty. But in recent years, poll workers have been harassed, and in some cases their personal information has been posted online as a way to intimidate them. Legislation now being considered in Madison would provide more protection for our poll workers, to ensure the voting process is safe, secure and efficient. Among the ideas are more funding and training for our poll workers’ physical safety, prohibiting the harassment of poll workers and protecting their privacy by making it illegal to harass them online. Those who volunteer on election day are our families, our friends and neighbors. They deserve our thanks, not our retribution, and they deserve to be protected while ensuring our democracy runs smoothly.