Teen steps up to be poll worker
Due to the shortage of poll workers this election year, there are many people stepping up to the plate to help out with voting.
One of these people is a local teenage citizen of Covington named Xander Perkins. He is a 17-year-old senior homeschooler who will be taking time out of his week to help out at the polls.
The idea was first brought up when his mother, Leyla Perkins, saw an ad on Instagram looking for poll workers in the area.
“I sent it to him but then talked to him in person about how it was his chance to be involved in the election, even though he is too young to vote,” Leyla stated.
Xander has always been the helpful type, whether it be to friends or family, so it makes sense that when given the opportunity he would help out the community due to the shortage of volunteer poll workers in the state.
“I love helping people and making people happy (I like working in and of itself) and I think getting to work to help our election run well is a great way to do that. Being helpful and encouraging people to speak their mind and say how they want things to work is helping us all connect” said Xander when asked how he felt about volunteering.
Like his mother previously stated, Xander was disappointed that he would not be able to vote in this year’s presidential election due to his age.
With this job offer though, he will still be able to participate in the election and help out.
He was quite happy to hear that people only have to meet the minimum age requirement of 17 in order to be able to volunteer and be paid to be a poll worker.
Xander has been really looking forward to getting any type of job for a while. On top of school, extracurriculars, and family, there have not been many times where a job was an option.
Now all he has to do is wait to be called into work if they are in need, which he suspects that the polls will be. Xander has already had a zoom call where they discussed the process and procedures that follow with volunteering for poll work.
“The process has been pretty cool, as long as you’re ok waiting to get some information a day before you need it sometimes,” stated Xander.
The voting process for the election this year has gone in many different avenues, especially with people trying to help out.
Many people are participating with mail in ballots to support post offices as well as doing what Xander is doing which is volunteering for poll work due to the shortage this year.
There have not been many instances where teenagers have volunteered to help out with the polls as of late. Although the younger generation has certainly become more proactive when it comes to politics, there are still areas that need aid.
Lily Rabalais, a friend of Xander’s, stated that she has only heard from one other teenager in her circle of friends that showed interest in the election this year, and that friend was only considering to volunteer.
“I think it could be good for him as long as he feels comfortable with it,” Rabalais said while discussing what she thinks about this opportunity for Xander.
While the election day isn’t until Nov. 3, there are many outlets that allow and are encouraging for early voting.
Through Xander’s example, others can take this time to decide how they can get involved, even when it may seem like they have no effect whatsoever.
“I can’t vote, but I can encourage others to go vote and as a volunteer I’m helping make the system work smoothly and fairly,” stated Xander.
Not only does every vote count, but every person who helps out does as well when the election is involved. Being involved always helps, whether it is voting, or volunteering.
