Kerry Washington and former Republican U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger have been appointed as co-chairs of the advisory council for Power the Polls, a non-partisan organization dedicated to recruiting poll workers.
“Poll workers are the unsung heroes of democracy, playing a crucial role in ensuring that every American can exercise their right to vote in a safe and secure manner,” Washington emphasized in a statement. “Power the Polls has demonstrated its ability to uphold trust in our electoral system, particularly during times when democracy is at risk. It is a privilege for me to co-chair this initiative and support their dedication to our democracy while also inspiring and recruiting the next generation of poll workers.”
The council is composed of 14 members, including individuals from various backgrounds such as culture, politics, veterans, and advocacy.
Congressman Kinzinger emphasized the crucial role that poll workers play in upholding the integrity of our democracy, especially during these unprecedented times. He expressed his pride in serving as the co-chair of the advisory council for Power the Polls and highlighted the importance of their work. Furthermore, he encouraged all Americans to consider becoming poll workers as a meaningful way to contribute to their communities.
In less than 100 days, Power the Polls successfully recruited over 700,000 potential poll workers in 2020. Two years later, the organization relaunched and was able to engage more than 275,000 potential poll workers who spoke over 25 different languages.
According to Marta Hanson, the National Program Manager of Power the Polls, the organization is bridging the gap between citizens who want to participate in civic life and election officials by recruiting potential poll workers, providing support to election administrators, and offering a centralized hub for localized poll worker information. Hanson expresses her enthusiasm about partnering with voices from different political backgrounds to recruit poll workers and ensure a safe, secure, and accessible election this fall.
The council members, in addition to Washington and Kinzinger, also include Francisco Aguilar, the secretary of state of Nevada, and Brad Raffensperger, the secretary of state of Georgia. Rye Barcott, co-founder of With Honor, Crystal Echo Hawk, founder and CEO of IllumiNative, Annie Gonzalez, an actress and producer, Arndrea Waters King, president of the Drum Major Institute, Santiago Mayer, founder and executive director of Voters for Tomorrow, Desmond Meade, president and executive director of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, Ashley Spillane, founder of the Civic Responsibility Project, Gabriel Sterling, the chief operating officer in Georgia’s Secretary of State office, Charlie Sykes, former editor-in-chief of The Bulwark, and Tiffany Yu, author and founder of Diversability are also part of the council.