Purpose at the Polls: A Story of Civic Engagement

As the heartbeat of democracy, elections rely on individuals who care deeply about fairness, accessibility, and community trust. One of those individuals is Pierrette Kelly, a consultant with The Patterson Foundation, who took her civic engagement to the next level by serving as a poll watcher. Her experience is featured in a recent episode of Civic Sparks, hosted by Leah Verier-Dunn, which delves deeper into how individuals and organizations inspire civic responsibility.

Pierrette describes her experience as "marvelous." "It was wonderful," she shares. "The voters, the workers, everyone came together to make people feel welcome. It's such a nice way to work on building the connection within the community by helping to be a part of creating a safe and comfortable environment so that people know that they're in a place where they belong."

In her conversation with Leah, Pierrette explains how a meaningful visit to Washington, D.C., inspired her to look into how she could serve during the election season. She eventually connected with the League of Women Voters and became involved with The Carter Center as a nonpartisan poll watcher.

Poll watchers play a vital but often unseen role in elections. Their job is to observe the election process at polling places, ensuring that procedures are followed, voters are treated fairly, and no interference or intimidation occurs. They do not interact directly with voters about their ballots, but they serve as a critical, nonpartisan presence that helps maintain transparency and integrity in the process. Pierrette was stationed outside a polling site, helping voters feel reassured, answering questions, and observing for anything out of the ordinary. "You're not solving the problems," she notes, "but you're there to make sure people know someone is paying attention, someone independent is there."

Pierrette emphasizes the simplicity of getting involved. "The training was really easy. It was all online, and a few weeks before the election, I received a short list of precincts that needed coverage." She was eventually stationed at a local church, which was a key location where she could help ensure the process remained smooth and voters felt supported.

With National Poll Worker Recruitment Day coming up on August 12, Pierrette's story is especially timely. This national day of action, established by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission in 2020, aims to inspire civic engagement and encourage individuals to sign up as poll workers.

Pierrette views volunteering as a flexible and fulfilling way to contribute to democracy. "We're all in different stages of life, sometimes we have more to give, sometimes less. But if we all focus on ensuring the process stays on track, that everyone gets to do what they need to do and get where they need to go, that makes all the difference."

She leaves listeners with a simple but powerful message: "It's so easy to find out how to get involved. If you can give a few hours, just do it. Whether it's reading with a child, working in a food pantry, or volunteering at the polls, it all helps strengthen community and democracy."

Pierrette's commitment is a shining example of how everyday people can step up, support one another, and protect the democratic process. You, too, should consider taking action. Your time, presence, and voice matter.

To learn more about your local Supervisor of Elections and how you can get involved, click your county's link below:

• Manatee County
• Sarasota County
• Charlotte County
• DeSoto County